PREPARED BY: MATT RODRIGUEZ DATE OF MEETING: 09/08/2020
SUBJECT:
TITLE
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO TO CONSIDER AMENDING THE FY 2019-21 ADOPTED CITY COUNCIL PRIORITY WORKPLAN UNDER MAJOR POLICY GOAL: ENHANCE COMMUNITY RESILIENCE - EXPLORE FEASIBILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OR GRANT PROGRAM FOR LOCAL SAN PABLO BUSINESSES FROM CURRENT COVID-19 PANDEMIC IMPACTS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE SAN PABLO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution.
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2019-21 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statement
Major Policy Goal: Enhance Community Resilience - Explore Financial Assistance or Grant Programs for Local San Pablo businesses from current COVID-19 pandemic impacts is currently not an adopted policy item under the FY 2019-21 Council Priority Workplan, effective March 1, 2019
CEQA Compliance Statement
This is not a project as defined by CEQA
BACKGROUND
At the August 4, 2020 City Council meeting, on motion made by Councilmember Pineda, duly seconded, the City Council authorized by majority vote to agendize a policy discussion to consider adding the following policy item to the adopted FY 2019-21 Council Priority Workplan (Workplan):
Under Major Policy Goal: Enhance Community Resilience
Add Policy Item:
#209 (New) Explore Financial Assistance or Grant Programs for Local San Pablo businesses from current COVID-19 pandemic impacts [in collaboration with San Pablo Economic Development Corporation]
Current City Council Policy Consideration
With the current (Shelter-In-Place) SIP Orders issued by the Contra Costa County Public Health Officer since March 16, 2020 to address the public health impacts of COVID-19, the City Council may want to explore potential policies that would minimize the impacts on local businesses due to the drastic changes in the economy since these SIP Orders have been in place.
Several businesses have been prevented from remaining open since employees in sectors deemed "non-essential" are prevented from leaving their home. The SIP Orders related to COVID-19 have immediately impacted the abilities of individuals State-wide to perform day-to-day life and work. Many people have been required to work remotely, if possible. Others, have already experienced reduced hours or have been laid off. Many commercial businesses have been forced to close due to the recent SIP Orders issued, or to operate with reduced services and hours, resulting in the need for a smaller employee workforce.
As a result, there are many economic disparities associated with these recent SIP Orders resulting in reports of both residents and businesses having trouble meeting financial commitments (i.e. rent or mortgage payments).
Due to these unprecedented times in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the City Council may be concerned for stability for its local businesses during the SIP period. Additionally, the City Council may be increasingly concerned about the permanent closure of businesses in the City due to economic hardships created by COVID-19 as these have corresponding impacts to the City’s financial status and local economic base, including sales tax revenue to the City.
COVID-19 Federal, State, & Private Emergency Funding Assistance Matrix
The City’s lobbyist, Townsend Public Affairs (TPA), has been instrumental in tracking all identifiable financial assistance or grant programs available to private businesses, non-profits or organizations from the federal CARES Act funding packages adopted in early 2020. A copy of TPA’s COVID-19 Federal, State, & Private Emergency Funding Assistance Matrix last updated on August 24, 2020 is attached for City Council review. Note: Staff may provide an updated funding matrix available from TPA on or around Friday, September 4, 2020 (See Attachment).
Collaboration with San Pablo Economic Development Corporation
The San Pablo Economic Development Corporation has been referring CARES Act grant funding opportunities to local San Pablo businesses since inception of the federal funding packages approved in March 2020 in order to link local businesses who meet the eligibility requirements to sources of available financial assistance and grant programs.
The City Manager recommends that City Council include the SPEDC in collaboration with the City to highlight and inform local businesses of any new funding or grant programs available through the Federal and state governments. In fact, a presentation on all referral activities for businesses may be useful to be scheduled jointly between City and SPEDC staff for future consideration and presentation to the City Council. SPEDC may also wish to highlight other local business assistance activities, programs or services provided to date during the COVID-19 pandemic.
City Council Policy Consideration
Procedurally, the City Council may consider adding this policy item by majority vote via Resolution into the FY 2019/20 Council Priority Workplan. Once adopted by Resolution, the City Manager may explore specific policy recommendations for subsequent formal discussion and approval by the City Council in the near future.
A proposed Resolution is included with this staff report for formal consideration and potential adoption by majority vote of the City Council this evening (See Attachment).
The City Manager has no policy recommendations for the City Council on this matter but, awaits further City Council direction by majority vote.
FISCAL IMPACT
No City funds have been identified at this time for this agenda item.
*** COVID-19 FISCAL IMPACT ADVISORY***
All City General Fund revenues are affected in FY 2020/21 due to COVID-19 fiscal impacts. The City Manager advises that no new funding sources exist for development of a financial assistance or grant program due to COVID-19 impacts at this time. A Mid-Year Budget Adjustment and a review of all City-wide GF Revenues are being developed for Budget, Fiscal & Legislative Standing Committee and City Council review and consideration mid-to late January 2021 to make appropriate and necessary GF revenue adjustments for the remainder of FY 2020/21.
ATTACHMENT: TPA’s COVID-19 Federal, State, & Private Emergency Funding Assistance Matrix (last updated 08/24/20)