Business Connect December 13, 2024

Business Connect is generally a digital newsletter sharing updates to support Palo Alto’s business community.

December 13, 2024

Today's Edition features:

Next Retail Committee Meeting: Wednesday, December 18 at 9 a.m.
Last Call: Holiday Decorating Contest!
Sales Tax Digest Q2 Summary Report Now Available
Caltrans El Camino Real Pavement Rehabilitation and ADA Improvements Project Update
Important Reminder: Change to Minimum Wage Rate Effective January 1, 2025

Keep reading to connect to business resources and updates.

Retail Committee Next Meeting - December 18, 2024

The next Ad Hoc Retail Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 18, at 9:00 a.m. The committee’s focus includes accelerating the implementation of the Council-Approved Economic Development Strategy by supporting Council engagement and personal contacts with business and community stakeholders. During the December meeting, staff will follow-up from the November session addressing retail vacancies along University Avenue in downtown, including recommendations in the following areas for further discussion and consideration: (1) enhanced cleanliness efforts, (2) revisions to the parklet program, and (3) increasing temporary uses. Find the staff report for the upcoming meeting here.

Visit the Ad Hoc Retail Committee Website Here

Last Call: Holiday Decorating Contest

The City of Palo Alto invites our local business community to decorate the exterior of your business in holiday-themed decor. Judging will take place between December 16 and 20, and there are 3 different categories. Sign up by December 15 to participate!

Questions? E-mail special.events@cityofpaloalto.org

For More Information Visit the City's Website

Sales Tax Digest Q2 Summary Report

The City recently received the sales tax digest for the 2nd Quarter of 2024 (April to June). The sales tax digest summary is reported to the City by Avenu Insights & Analytics, the City's sales tax consultant, on a quarterly basis.

For the adjusted economic benchmark year, Palo Alto saw a 6.6% increase in sales tax. In comparison, the San Francisco Bay Area experienced a 3.4% decrease, while California statewide sales tax decreased by 2.4%. To review the most recent report, please click here.

Find Past Quarterly Reports Online Here

Caltrans El Camino Real Pavement Rehabilitation and ADA Improvements Project Update

Crews will continue striping lanes through the end of February 2025, with work taking place in both the southbound and northbound directions between Mountain View and Palo Alto. Activities will occur overnight, and lane closures will be necessary. Residents and businesses can expect typical construction-related activity during this period. Please be assured that crews are using noise monitoring equipment on-site to ensure compliance with standard noise regulations.

For project questions, contact Caltrans Public Information Officer, Victor Gauthier

Project Email: sr82pave@dot.ca.gov

Caltrans Hotline Number: (510) 286-0319

For More Information Visit the City's Page on the Project

Minimum Wage Rate Change Effective January 1, 2025

As a reminder, the 2025 minimum wage rate is $18.20 per hour, effective January 1, 2025. Covered employers must pay the hourly minimum wage rate to each employee who performs two (2) hours or more of work per week in Palo Alto. Employers must post the 2025 Official Minimum Wage Employer Poster and Employee Know Your Right Poster where they are accessible to employees. Learn more about covered employer responsibilities, employee rights, and minimum wage regulations here.

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