07 - Laserfiche WebLink

7 THE CITY OF =LI { `°--� ACITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT pLEASANTON March 15, 2022 Economic Development TITLE: APPROVE AN OUTDOOR DINING INSTALLATION GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO RESTAURANTS INTERESTED IN CONSTRUCTING A SEMI-PERMANENT OUTDOOR DINING AREA SUMMARY To assist businesses that are experiencing financial loss of income due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, on April 15, 2020, the City Council approved Business Support Fund which has provided more than $1.3 million in financial assistance to 115 businesses. Thirty-eight of the businesses which received funding are eating establishments. As a concurrent business support measure, beginning in 2020, the City allowed businesses to temporarily expand dining and other business activities outdoors into private parking lots, sidewalks, and the public parking spaces —these temporary areas were known as "pop-ups." In July 2021, the Council directed staff to develop a more formal parklet program to replace the temporary pop-ups in the downtown district. The program was approved by the Council on December 21, 2021. Council also directed staff to explore grant programs the City could provide to help businesses interested in participating in the parklet program. At its February 1, 2022, meeting, the City Council approved the Downtown Parklet Grant Program and directed staff to explore grants for expanded outdoor dining elsewhere in the city for Council review and consideration. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Council approve an Outdoor Dining Installation Grant Program as part of the overall Business Assistance Program by allocating up to $250,000 from the Business Support Fund for the Outdoor Dining Installation Grant Program. FINANCIAL STATEMENT As part of an overall Business Assistance Program, the City Council approved a $3 million special fund which provided loans to eligible businesses affected by the COVID- 19 pandemic. To date, the Business Support Fund has provided $1,336,500 to assist 115 Pleasanton businesses. Additionally, the City Council allocated $250,000 to fund the Downtown Parklet Grant Program. Staff recommends allocating up to $250,000 of the remaining $1.3 million to fund the Outdoor Dining Installation Program.