Revitalization Commission Agenda and Packet 2022 02 09

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Revitalization Commission Minutes December 8, 2021 Page 3of5 opportunity for the LRC Commissioners to converse with business owners for one-on-one interaction. Commissioner Smith likes the project and thinks small business owners may need guidance. He suggests adding a pre -application meeting to guide small business owners. He would like to consider a tiered structure for the reimbursements so smaller projects could be fully sponsored. He does not like the idea of a hard dollar cap to a project that could be very beneficial to the area. He agrees with the idea of LRC Commissioners should do outreach. Chair Adler likes the tiered approach. She would like a lower barrier of entry. Commissioner Williams agrees that small business owners actually in the spaces need a lower barrier of entry. She suggests a grace period for those who were not aware of the program to get an application in. Commissioner Gorsevski thinks we should connect with DBA to promote the program. Commissioner Tofte likes the tiered approach and suggests making the Chamber of Commerce aware for an additional outreach opportunity. Chair Alder called for public comment. Mike Kranzdorf thinks it is a great project. He suggests making sure you have discretion that a project is not scaled back in order to get full funding. He likes the grace period discussion and expanding to fixtures and landscaping. Director Pierce said the tiered approach is not problematic but set some expectations. She has reluctance about grace period as this is meant to make sure applicants meet all process requirements, including Planning and Building. Commissioner Williams suggested a six week grace period is reasonable so that businesses to not miss opportunities as the program is rolled out and promoted. Commissioner Smith suggested that if a permit has been closed, the business owner would not be able to apply retroactively and anyone who completed a project without a permit should not be able to apply. Staff will consider LRC comments on grace period as well as potential additional eligible improvements. This information will be incorporated into the next report. Commissioners were in agreement with advancing the draft Cooperation Agreement for City Council consideration and agreed on tiers for staff to incorporate in the application process: • Up to $15,000, 100% reimbursable • $15,001 — $50,000, 75% reimbursable • $50,001 - $100,000, 50% reimbursable • Above $100,001, reviewed on a case -by -case basis Agenda Packet P. 5