City Council Agenda and Packet 2020 04 17 SP

Home Browse Search

LLityo L 4- CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION Louisville AGENDA ITEM 2 COLORADO -SINCE 1878 SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 31, SERIES 2020 — A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT PROGRAM DATE: APRIL 17, 2020 PRESENTED BY: MEGAN E. PIERCE, ECONOMIC VITALITY DIRECTOR SUMMARY: On April 7, 2020 the City Council reviewed the significant impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the local business community. Many businesses have been temporarily closed or are working under significant restrictions, impacting their ability to re -open and remain viable in the future. The City Council discussed the possible structure and criteria of a grant program for small businesses, in addition to the ways in which the City might administer the program. The matter was referred to the Economic Vitality Committee for more detailed recommendations. Any grant program should be approved by legislative action of the City Council, with findings as to the public purpose to be served by the program. A draft resolution is attached for City Council consideration. DISCUSSION: The Economic Vitality Committee (EVC) met on April 13 and April 15—reviewing the direction given by the Council and the means by which to create an application that is objective and can be efficiently administered. Much of the dialogue at the EVC focused on how to target small businesses most impacted by the pandemic, so that City funds can be directed to those with the greatest need. The package will include both a checklist that outlines general eligibility for the program and the application itself. As recommended by the EVC, the program eligibility includes the following factors: • Brick -and -mortar business within the City of Louisville (a permanent physical building that can reasonably be accessed by the public); • In operation as of March 10, 2020 (date of the Governor's State of Emergency Declaration); • Current on all City accounts as of the date of application (Sales Tax and utilities, for example); and • Employ 25 or fewer FTEs. Consideration of limiting the number of locations a particular business could have was removed from the draft application. To be considered, applicants would be required to also: • Complete and sign the application (including all acknowledgements) CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION