Economic Vitality Committee Agenda and Packet 2020 12 18

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SUBJECT: BUSINESS PANDEMIC SUPPORT RECOMMENDATIONS DATE: DECEMBER 18, 2020 PAGE 2 OF 9 Business Uncertainty, included five sessions between April and May. The second, Recovering with Resiliency, included four sessions between mid -August and late September. Over the two series, there were approximately 90 business participants that joined these conversations and peer sessions. As businesses began to re -open at the end of May, continuing public health restrictions weighed heavily on restaurant capacities. In response, Louisville launched its Outdoor Dining program, including the Main Street closure, which started on June 10. The City spent approximately $23,000 on the closure as well as on signage and Outdoor Dining program promotion. Outdoor Dining was a success and also incorporated arts and socially distanced programming to encourage people to visit downtown. The Main Street closure continued until December 4. The City's Winter Outdoor Dining program includes seating areas in on -street parking spaces along Main Street as well as designated grab- n-go parking spots for restaurants and retailers. Staff anticipates this set-up will be in place through at least March 31. To -date, approximately $31,000 has been spent on the winter programming. Both programs were done at no -cost to local businesses. In September, the City launched its second round of financial support: the Recovery & Improvement Matching Grant program. This grant included $150,000 of funding and was open to a wider range of businesses than the Emergency Solutions grants. As of November 5, 29 grants were awarded (up to $10,000) out of 37 applications. Because a few applications have been received since funding was allocated, staff is requesting an additional $50,000 of program funding from City Council on December 15. Current Needs: As of this memo, Boulder County remains in Level Red: Severe Risk on the state's dial framework. Over time, the dial restrictions have evolved to target those business types where virus transmission may be most likely to occur. Unfortunately, this has imposed significant restrictions on the ability to operate at even a break-even level for many of Louisville's small businesses. While COVID-19 has been a negative impact throughout this year, staff recommends focusing attention in the near -term on those business types that are currently restricted to 25% capacity (or 25 people, whichever is fewer) or less, including: • Restaurants: No indoor service, limitations on last call • Bars: Curbside pick-up only • Gyms/Fitness: 10% or no more than 10 people per room; reservation system required • Limited health care: 25% or 25 people, whichever is less (acupuncture, athletic training, audiology, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathic, physical therapy) • Personal services: 25% or 25 people, whichever is less (hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, esthetician, body art, pet groomers, tailors, and dry cleaners) Agenda Packet P. 7