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City Council <br />Meeting Minutes <br />April 7, 2020 <br />Page 5 of 12 <br /> <br />Councilmember Brown would like to prioritize those businesses that were hit hardest such <br />as restaurants and salons which were required to close under the governor’s order. <br /> <br />Mayor Stolzmann asked what size of businesses the Council wants to target with the <br />program. Members discussed various options about how to determine a size including <br />how to count employees (full-time, part-time, or full-time equivalents). Members generally <br />agreed on a size limit of 50 employees or 25 full-time equivalents. <br /> <br />Mayor Stolzmann asked members what types of businesses they want the program to <br />target. <br /> <br />Councilmember Lipton suggested prioritizing sales-tax producing businesses rather than <br />services. Mayor Pro Tem Maloney agreed; for him this is an important criteria for the City. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dickinson stated that might be good for prioritizing the funding but they <br />should be allowed to apply. He noted many service businesses are affected and they <br />should not be ruled out. <br /> <br />Director Pierce noted that she will need clear eligibility criteria for the program to be <br />successful and transparent. If the eligibility is too broad it will require a lot of review time. <br />Staff would like less discretion and more clear criteria that creates a transparent process; <br />something less subjective. <br /> <br />Councilmember Brown would like to make sure the funding gets to those low income <br />businesses who will spend the money quickly. If speed is of the essence we need clear <br />criteria and if that is met you can get the grant. <br /> <br />Mayor Stolzmann stated she would support grants for businesses that produce sales tax <br />and those which do not. Many businesses have no way to do business remotely so they <br />have to be closed. Councilmember Fahey agreed those business also need our support. <br /> <br />Councilmember Lipton suggested having a separate program for service businesses and <br />use this program for sales tax producing businesses. <br /> <br />Councilmember Leh stated service businesses have an impact in the community other <br />than sales tax and they should be considered for funding. <br /> <br />Mayor Pro Tem Maloney supports a clear precise program that can be implemented <br />quickly. <br /> <br />Councilmember Lipton suggested having the Economic Vitality Committee discuss this <br />and bring a suggested program back to the Council. <br />