By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

The talk was all business at the town hall meeting hosted by Assemblymember Laura Friedman on Sept. 22. Held at Flintridge Prep in La Cañada, Friedman guided the discussion with panelists Elizabeth Shapiro, COO of BizFed, Bent Hansen, owner of Los Gringos Locos, Jennifer McLain, principal economic development officer for City of Glendale, Annie Argento, principal of Argento/Graham and Leron Gubler, CEO and president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

Friedman was introduced by LCF councilman Jon Curtis who gave an overview of her experience prior to being elected into the state assembly.

“It’s very impressive to see her work with small business while respecting the environment,” Curtis said.

Before beginning the panel discussion, Friedman told audience members that she would be convening a committee of 12 small business owners to continue the discussion that would be started on Friday evening and to address issues, including impediments to California businesses.

Among the topics covered at Flintridge Prep was the housing shortage in Southern California and how it affects small businesses. Many workers have to live far away from their jobs in order to afford housing.

“Some people have to travel two hours to get to work,” said Gubler of the housing shortage.

Time was a recurring theme of the evening –time getting to and from work, time for parents to bond with new babies (SB 63) and time saved through new processes.

McLain explained that the City of Glendale has implemented a streamlined permitting process with its GRIT – Glendale Relationship Initiation Team – program. The program strives to establish and build relationships between the city’s Economic Development Division and business owners to ensure business satisfaction with the City of Glendale.

Friedman was also open to suggestions from the panel. Gubler referenced “nuisance lawsuits,” specifically those surrounding handicapped and disabled patrons. In recent years, unethical personal injury attorneys have targeted small businesses that they view as not being compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These lawsuits might allege, for example, that a business’ handicap parking sign is not properly displayed. A lawsuit is filed and, most times, is settled out of court for a price greatly less than the cost would be if the business owner fought the case in court.

Gubler suggested introducing legislation that provides a tiered penalty system that would give offenders an opportunity to fix the complaint before a lawsuit could be filed.

Advances in technology and how they affect businesses were also discussed. Friedman said that the changing business landscape due to new technologies is causing legislators to “clean up regulations that are outdated due to new technology.”

Panelists ticked off the advantages that have evolved with technological advances, including a reduction in startup costs for businesses and the introduction of creative office space that may help with transportation and housing challenges.

However, it was questioned if technology was hindering traditional retail businesses and changing consumer behavior. Ken Grayson of Grayson’s Tune Town in Montrose attended the meeting and asked what the future holds for typical brick-and-mortar shops. Friedman didn’t have an exact answer for Grayson’s question but did voice her interest in searching for input that could benefit the shops.

Incentivizing businesses to stay in Glendale was also touched upon. McLain said that Nestle, a major downtown Glendale corporation that announced plans to move to Virginia, received a $22 million incentive package to relocate.

“We’re focusing on [attracting] high-end businesses to replace those 1,200 lost jobs,” she said of Nestle’s departure.

Keeping the film industry in Southern California – and bringing back those production companies that film outside SoCal – was also mentioned in connection with incentives.

Gubler said that having any type of streamlining – simplifying the process – and film tax credits would be strong incentives for Hollywood.

“[Filming locally] allows people to stay home with their families,” he said. “It’s important to let the state know how important these credits are.”

After the town hall, Friedman said she was happy with how it went and the number of attendees, which numbered around three-dozen.

“I thought it was a positive event,” she said. “There were a lot of interesting perspectives on a variety of subjects.”

She mentioned again the small business committee that she is forming.

“Our goal is to discover what we can do to make California a good climate for our small businesses,” Friedman said. “People can always contact my office. We want to be that voice for the community.”

  +, robin goldsworthy