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Revitalization Commission <br />Minutes <br />January 13, 2021 <br />Page 7 of 9 <br />space so restaurants have customers? How do we keep activity downtown? <br />Council member Leh said yes; this particular program does not address that but <br />the EVC will need to engage in these types of conversations. Council will be <br />working to achieve goals of the strategic plan and recommendations by the <br />EVC. <br />Commissioner Williams fully supports this proposal. It sounds like there are <br />enough businesses that will apply to exhaust these funds but if funds are left <br />over can they go to other businesses? If we increase funds will grant sizes <br />increase or just more available? How are businesses notified? Council member <br />Leh said they believe there will be enough funds for those that apply. Director <br />Pierce said if every business applied and met eligibility, we would not have <br />enough funds. There is a fourth category ahead of retail, personal service <br />providers: hair salon, nail salons, etc. Since the goal is to be targeted and timely <br />with assistance, Director Pierce suggested approving the $150,000 in funding <br />and then to engage about additional needs once applications have been <br />reviewed. <br />Businesses will be notified of the grant program with a week of formal notice by <br />Economic Vitality list, Chamber of Commerce, and Downtown Business <br />Association, as well as a press release to Daily Camera. <br />Commissioner Gorsevski would like to provide more money. He asked what the <br />feedback was from the first grant process. Director Pierce said none of the 70 <br />recipient businesses have closed. There has been a very small number of <br />closures, not all related to the pandemic. Success rate has been good. She <br />said the evaluation of applications will lead to opening it up to more funding if <br />necessary and then Council and EVC will address additional funds. <br />Chair Adler asked for public comment and there was none. <br />Council member Leh made a motion for the LRC to provide $150,000 of funding <br />to the Small Business Preservation Grant program, as adopted by City Council. <br />The funding will be approved through a cooperation agreement between the <br />City and LRC at a later date. Commissioner Smith seconded. <br />Commissioner Gambale said he supported the motion as long as LRC has the <br />ability to look at it again in February and be nimble enough to more forward with <br />additional support. <br />Agenda Packet P. 9 <br />