City Council Minutes 2023 02 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes February 21, 2023 Page 3 of 8 PRESENTATION — YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD Youth Advisory Board officers Sam Becker, Lily Oberg, and Arihant Swain stated this year's board project is the 2023 Pet Mayor. The YAB invites participation in the first Pet Mayor election. After all the changes that 2022 brought the YAB wants to elect a furry friend as a "paws"itive role model for our town. The board hopes to use this project to raise awareness on voter registration and on adoption of animals from pet shelters. Voting will take place in April and the new pet mayor will be sworn in in May. Public Comments — None. Members thanked the members of the Youth Advisory Board for the project and for their service to the community. ORDINANCE NO. 1850, SERIES 2023 — AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 3.24 OF THE LOUISVILLE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE TAX AND FEE BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM — 2ND READING, PUBLIC HEARING (advertised Daily Camera 2/12/23) Mayor Maloney introduced the item by title and asked for disclosures; seeing none he opened the public hearing. Community Development Director Zuccaro stated staff suggests an amendment to the Business Assistance Program (BAP) to allow existing businesses to receive financial assistance for keeping their business in Louisville if they change locations. The current BAP program requires an existing Louisville business to substantially expand in order to participate in the program. However, this requirement may prevent an existing Louisville business that is forced to relocate from participating in the program. For example, if a business is not provided an opportunity to renew the lease at their existing location, they will not have the opportunity to receive a BAP incentive for choosing an alternative location in Louisville if they are also not expanding their business. However, these businesses could be eligible to receive financial assistance to relocate to nearby communities. Participating businesses must also be reasonably likely to generate enhanced or increased sales taxes. This may not be feasible for an existing business that is moving to a similarly sized or smaller location. Staff recommends expanding the BAP program to allow for the owner or operator of a business that is forced to vacate its current premises to be eligible for participation in the program. These businesses would only be required to maintain their existing sales taxes during the first year of operation after relocation. The proposed ordinance leaves the other program structure, eligibility, and criteria intact. If Council adopts the Ordinance, staff will update the program application package to incorporate the Code amendment.