CCMIN04152020 - Laserfiche WebLink

In response to Councilmember Narum, Ms. Ott noted the Municipal Code outlines penalties if TOT payments are not paid on time, however, the City could pass a resolution to extend the deferred payment to a date later than July 31, if necessary. In response to Councilmember Narum's inquiry on how the City is advertising the waiver of late fees and utility deposits. Ms. Ott noted after Council takes action advertisement would happen through social media channels and directly to residential customers. In response to Councilmember Narum's request for the number of non-profits in Pleasanton, City Manager Fialho replied Tri-Valley Haven and Meals on Wheels are on the frontline of the response. Staff plans to have discussions with the non-profits and present a comprehensive proposal for Council to consider. The City is receiving an additional approximately $200K in CDBG funding from the Federal Government that can be dispersed to non-profit agencies involved in the COVID-19 response. City Manager Fialho explained without the current emergency, the funding would have been brought forward to Council in April after receiving recommendations from the Housing Commission and Human Services Commission. Due to COVID-19 there has been a delay and those will be brought forward to Council soon. The usual allocation that is budgeted for CDBG is in excess of $1M when resources are combined. There is an additional infusion of $200K relating to COVID-19 to be dispersed for eligible expenses non-profits are experiencing as a result of COVID-19. City Manager Fialho added there is a need for financial relief for 501(C)(6) partner agencies supporting the City's mission in various ways. An example is the Pleasanton Downtown Association. Annually the City provides about $50K to the PDA that is matched by them to promote special events throughout the year. Those will not exist or will look significantly different this year, removing their revenue generating capacity causing limited cash flow, ability, and purpose. Staff will consider what solution we want to bring to Council for PDA and other similar organizations. In response to Councilmember Brown, Deputy City Manager Ott explained eligible micro- businesses would outline the 25% revenue loss with the form that is used to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program through the Small Business Association. Businesses outline and attest to their revenues prior to and the losses due to COVID-19. Councilmember Brown requested clarification as to how we would target and support businesses that we can help through the emergency and not those that were previously struggling and ready to close their doors outside of the emergency. Deputy City Manager Ott said it is difficult to understand how to support all businesses in a way that is most meaningful. She noted that while the Small Business Association (SBA) is trying to fund the loans quickly there is still a wait. There is the Paycheck Protection Program which businesses are applying for and in queue to find out whether they will receive those funds. This loan could provide coverage during that gap in time. However, this loan is not going to get them fully through the emergency, which is why we require they take action to find additional resources and support. In response to Councilmember Brown, Deputy City Manager Ott shared the locations of these 1,100 businesses are throughout the City, with about 550 in the downtown area. City Council Minutes Page 6 of 11 April 15, 2020