City Council Minutes 2021 01 05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes January 5, 2021 Page 3 of 6 REGULAR BUSINESS RESOLUTION NO. 3, SERIES 2021 — A RESOLUTION APPROVING A SMALL BUSINESS PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM Director Pierce reviewed the various programs the City has already done this year to address COVID and its effects on the business community including the Emergency Solutions Grant Program ($350,000 total funding, 70 grants); Communications and Marketing; Two Webinar Series; the Outdoor Dining Program; and the Recovery & Improvement Matching Grant Program ($200,000 total funding, 30 grants). She reviewed the current restrictions noting the Governor just moved the County to level orange. She noted the additional funds coming from the recent special legislative session may still not be enough to keep some businesses afloat. Director Pierce stated the Economic Vitality Committee (EVC) is recommending the Proposed Small Business Preservation Grants to target those businesses with current needs and restrictions. The EVC proposes three business types be eligible: Restaurants, gyms, and health services. The EVC proposes grants of $5,000 each. The EVC suggests the following eligibility requirements: brick -and -mortar businesses licensed in Louisville; in operation as of March 10, 2020; currently open to the public and not voluntarily closed; and current on all City accounts as of date of application. Please note, the EVC suggests changing this definition from the Emergency Solutions Grant program, which excluded any business on an existing payment plan with the City. The EVC recommends those applicants be eligible, as long as they are current on their plan. Additionally, the EVC recommends eliminating the restriction on the number of employees as the business types in these categories do not include large employers and they may still be experiencing hardship. The EVC recommends a total program of $500,000, which would allow for 100 grants. The EVC also hopes for Revitalization Commission participation in the program, similar to the Emergency Solutions Grant program, where the Commission agreed to fund eligible businesses within the Urban Renewal Area. If the LRC participates at a level of $150,000, then the General Fund would be responsible for $350,000. If approved this evening, staff would start to promote the program tomorrow and open applications for a window next week. The goal would be for applicants to receive funding as soon as possible before other financial assistance is likely to arrive. The EVC also recommends adopting staff's suggestion to follow recent State action to waive state liquor license renewal fees. This assists primarily restaurant license holders; it would not apply to retailers selling alcohol. This would cost the City approximately $7,500