COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

GRAND JURY

The review and assessment performed examined the processes and practices undertaken by Metro LA and its Administrator, to notify and assist local merchants of the available grants, grant eligibility requirements and the administration of the Business Interruption Fund (BIF) Program. BIF provides grant subsidies to merchants adversely impacted during construction of the Crenshaw/LAX transit line.

The work performed includes the following elements: Collection and review of existing BIF related documents; development of a merchant survey instrument; conducting the survey using door-to-door, email, and mail approaches; evaluating the survey results; assessing and comparing similar programs to the Crenshaw/LAX BIF; developing findings and recommendations.

Recommendations addressed numerous topics including:

· Expand marketing related to assisting merchants in completing grant applications and preparing financial records that satisfy the grant eligibility criteria

· Address traffic and parking impacts such as expanding the discounts, free bus rides to business locations and alternative customer parking and complimentary shuttle bus services

· Revise the program’s eligibility requirements: 1) to allow for businesses that have less than two years of residency in the Crenshaw/LAX transit corridor to participate in the Program; 2) to include businesses not directly adjacent to the construction area; 3) to offset merchant expenses due to relocation resulting from the construction.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – FEASIBILITY STUDY

Conducted a facility location and feasibility study for the Community Development Commission, County of Los Angeles and a private Los Angeles entrepreneur. Reviewed the developer’s facility requirements and evaluated a 15 square mile target location area. A comprehensive on-the-street market survey was conducted of such factors as: existing office space facilities, costs, lease terms, and more. A financial feasibility study was conducted to compare the developer’s objectives with what current market demands would support. Presentations were made to the developer that evaluated alternatives as well as provided criteria for final determination of the feasibility of the project. A complete business plan was developed with financial projections, market data, operational plans, resumes and other relevant materials to support funding the proposed venture through debt financing.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – MARKETING

Developed and implemented a detailed marketing plan to open the Athens Westmont Business Center, a business incubator center operated by the Community Development Commission, County of Los Angeles. The Athens Westmont Business Center is a 25,000 square foot office complex located in the southwestern part of the County of Los Angeles. The complex offers business clients all the amenities of a professional office building including reproduction, telephone, fax, mailing services, and more, as part of their first few years of operation. The project included complete marketing and all advertising activities and full public relations communications as well as a grand opening that featured the County Supervisor, Yvonne Brathwaite Burke and CDC Executive Director, Carlos Jackson, and was covered by local television and media.

DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH

Performed a survey of over 250 health clinic facilities in the County of Los Angeles for eight consecutive fiscal quarters. The interviews evaluated and determined both the indigence and residential status of each patient and were used to determine funding to the Department from federal sources. Data were collected during operating hours on predetermined days and required every patient that day to be personally interviewed and included in a daily report. The data entered into an electronic database and processed to report findings. Our work was responsible for scheduling each facility each quarter, conducting the interviews, numerous administrative requirements to meet stringent federal audits and performance standards. Over 8000 onsite interviews were conducted during eight quarters using over 220 interviewers and administrative staff.