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Economic Vitality Committee <br />Meeting Minutes <br />March 6, 2025 <br />Page 3 of 4 <br />Zarate responded that the current BAP program accounts for this situation with <br />a clawback provision, and that this amendment would likely include something <br />similar. <br />The EVC agreed that they were in favor of providing additional support for <br />smaller retail businesses and that this seemed like a good idea to further <br />explore. <br />Loan Program <br />Mayor Leh commented that this program seems a bit complicated and that it <br />would likely require some research before taking to Council. Councilmember <br />Kern agreed and suggested that staff explore other communities where this <br />program has been implemented successfully. <br />Rent Assistance <br />Councilmember Kern asked whether rent assistance might artificially inflate rent <br />rates in Louisville. Manager Zarate responded that could be an unintended <br />consequence of the program. Mayor Leh agreed and stated that he does not <br />strongly support the proposed rent assistance idea. <br />Economic Vitality Tax <br />Councilmember Kern noted that Louisville residents have shown through the <br />community survey that they feel Economic Vitality is an important core service <br />of the City. She anticipates that a proposed tax would still require quite a bit of <br />outreach to gauge the residents' support for a new tax. <br />Mayor Leh agreed and concluded that it may make more sense to explore the <br />Loan Program a little further before exploring a new tax. He stated that a new <br />tax is not as likely as some of the other proposed programs. Councilmember <br />Fahey agreed and stated that it may be difficult to get an Economic Vitality tax <br />passed. <br />Grant Programming <br />Mayor Leh asked where the majority of grant funds come from. Manager Zarate <br />responded that most grants are state -funded. <br />Public Private Partnerships <br />Mayor Leh recommended that staff keep an eye out for possible opportunities <br />for public private partnerships and bring them to the EVC and Council as <br />necessary. Director Zuccaro agreed and suggested that there doesn't need to <br />be any sort of program put in place for this. <br />Non -Monetary Support <br />Director Zuccaro commented that Community Development, including Planning <br />and Building are in the process of exploring their review process to make sure <br />that it is efficient for the business community. He added that there are often <br />