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because of location; businesses outside of downtown matter and are also suffering; however <br /> $2,500 is not going to keep any of them in business, but will help in some way. Identifying some <br /> businesses as more important than others because of their location is not representative of <br /> Pleasanton. <br /> Councilmember Narum seconded the motion and added the programs are a good place to start <br /> and indicated Council's commitment to our businesses, specifically to our small businesses that <br /> are the backbone of our community. The $2,500 could be a bridge to help them make it until <br /> funding from state or federal sources arrives. She said it is clear PDA will need help in funding <br /> programs that market downtown. As we see revenues and expenses we can gauge and adjust <br /> accordingly if we can contribute more. <br /> Councilmember Brown noted 1,100 businesses each receiving $2,500 is short of $3M and it is <br /> unrealistic that all 1,100 will apply for these funds; some companies may be doing fine during this <br /> time and do not need support from this program, resulting in unused funds. <br /> Councilmember Brown asked for a friendly amendment to the motion to provide $5,000 to <br /> downtown businesses and $2,500 to all others. <br /> Councilmember Pentin did not accept the amendment, but suggested a future amendment that <br /> any unused funds be dispersed to PDA members. <br /> In response to Councilmember Brown's inquiry, Councilmember Pentin replied that potentially an <br /> amendment could be made within 30 days, as by then the remaining balance could be determined <br /> and businesses would have time to apply. He noted that a meeting can be held at any time. <br /> Councilmember Narum proposed an amendment to offer $2,900 to downtown businesses and <br /> $2,500 to all others. She added downtown is valued but offering substantially more to downtown <br /> over other locations would not be fair. <br /> In response to Deputy City Manager Ott's query, Councilmember Narum clarified that she would <br /> support augmenting the amount allocated to those downtown businesses which meet the eligibility <br /> criteria. <br /> Councilmember Pentin did not accept the amendment and commented he does not want to <br /> separate businesses into two classes. He suggested staff can recommend something to PDA <br /> specifically for downtown. <br /> Councilmember Testa commented the City is not showing preference to businesses in downtown <br /> over others, but recognizing downtown is more expensive. Calculating based on every business <br /> eligible is not realistic because not all will apply or qualify; this is gap funding and delaying it could <br /> be the difference between businesses staying open or not. <br /> Mayor Thorne added although he is not sure in every case rent is more expensive downtown, he <br /> supports the entire $3M be expended and give staff the direction to allocate remaining funds to <br /> downtown businesses. <br /> MOTION: It was m/s by Pentin/Narum to approve a Business Assistance Program to support the <br /> retention of local businesses related to the COVID-19 emergency, including the development and <br /> allocation of a small business support fund with loans in the set amount of $2,500 to all eligible <br /> businesses. Motion failed by the following vote: <br /> City Council Minutes Page 8 of 11 April 15, 2020 <br />