Khan presents SBS positions on all four bills
Khan states SBS supports the goals of Intro 90 on lease transparency, supports a legacy business registry under Intro 874 but wants to discuss fund operational challenges, has concerns with Intro 408's social media matching pilot, and defers on Intro 578's IBZ commission reforms pending the administration's broader economic growth agenda.
Now I'd like to turn to the bills attached to today's hearing that address some of the challenges businesses face.
Intro 90 would establish protections for storefront tenants, including requirements for a written lease of occupancy of more than one year, disclosure of fees, an option to extend leases in certain cases for up to one year with a cap on rent increases,
an online commercial lease sample to be provided on the SBS website.
SBS supports the goals of this legislation, helping small businesses negotiate more affordable and transparent leases.
We are happy to be in further conversations with the bill sponsor on this bill.
Intro 874 would establish a SBS legacy business registry that recognizes businesses with 20 or more years of operation.
And establishes a grant program for legacy businesses at risk of displacement.
We are supportive of a legacy business registry, which would highlight neighborhood staples that form the city's cultural fabric and our local economy for years.
On Brill provisions related to the Legacy Business Fund, we look forward to working with the sponsor to discuss ways we can mitigate possible operational challenges that may affect the success of such a program.
Intro 408 would require SBS to create a matching pilot program for social media content creators and small businesses.
We already offer digital marketing programming, including best practices for social media.
And although we support the intent of this bill, we have some concerns with the bill as written.
We look forward to working with the bill sponsor on how we can expand this work to connect more small businesses with content creation and social media support, which is crucial to remain visible to prospective customers.
Lastly, Intro 578 would amend the charter sections for the Industrial Business Zone Boundary Commission.
While SBS provides educational programs and resources to meet all industrial business needs throughout the city through our programming, City Hall leads overall economic development policy, including the agenda for
including the development of a larger economic growth agenda that would include industrial and manufacturing businesses.
So as Mayor Mamdani and Deputy Mayor Su are developing that citywide agenda for economic growth, we believe that should inform any further discussions and amendments related to the Industrial Business Zone Boundary Commission.
With that, we appreciate the Council's attention to these bills attached to the hearing and welcome the opportunity to answer any questions.
There are also 16 proposed reforms in Mayor Mamdani's
open for small business package that requires the support of the City Council, and we look forward to working with all of you and your colleagues to usher in a new era for small businesses, one where city government is a partner.
The City Council's leadership in passing year-round outdoor dining, repealing the security grill visibility requirements, and other related reforms
paved the way for such continued momentum on these issues.
Thank you again for this opportunity to testify and welcome any and all questions you may have.