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PUBLIC HEARINGS AND OTHER MATTERS 10. Approve a Downtown Parklet Grant Program to assist businesses approved to participate in the Downtown Parklet Program Economic Development Manager Lisa Adamos reported this item was directed by Council to create a proposal for a Downtown Parklet Grant Program to help businesses with the costs of installing a parklet. The Council approved a Business Assistance Program in April 2020 to provide relief to local businesses impacted by the pandemic, including the element of a Business Support Fund. $3 million was placed into a special fund to provide 0% interest, unsecured short-term loans to independently or locally-owned businesses. She added the City has awarded $1,336,500 from this fund for 115 Pleasanton businesses, with $584,000 of this sum going to 43 downtown businesses. Economic Development Manager Adamos advised staff recommends allocating up to $250,000 from the fun for a Downtown Parklet Grant program based upon the number of downtown businesses operating a temporary pop-up during the pandemic. Staff anticipates $250,000 being sufficient. Staff researched comparable programs in other cities and found the amount proposed is consistent, along with the eligibility requirements and restrictions. She advised the grant amount would be up to 50% of the total cost with a maximum of$10,000. She reported the program will begin on March 1 with applications accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The program will end either on March 1, 2023, when funds are exhausted or at the City Council's discretion. Eligibility criteria will be similar to the Business Support Fund such as the parklet approval by the City, location in the Downtown Commercial District, a City-issued business license, being in good standing with the City including demonstrating compliance with the County's health order and being either a dining or retail establishment. She added businesses are not eligible if they are corporately owned chains or franchises, or home-based businesses or hotels. Eligible expenses include furniture, umbrellas, or other City-approved weather protection, lights, heathers, construction materials, installation, and architecture/design services. Ineligible expenses include business furniture not associated with parklet permit requirements, unapproved façade, or branded structures. The grant application process will include receipt of parklet and encroachment permits, a completed application, and documentation of expenses. She reported the parklet application process is now open and applications will be reviewed by staff and expects a two-week turn-around for the review. She advised the Economic Vitality Committee supported the grant program and some members suggested expanding the program City-wide. She reported staff notified all downtown businesses that had temporary pop-ups of this meeting's discussion of the proposed grant program while the Pleasanton Downtown Association (PDA) also sent notifications. She reported staff recommends the Council approve the Program, allocate up to $250,000 from the Business Assistance Program Fund for the grants, and provide direction on whether to explore expanding the Program City-wide. In response to Councilmember Testa, Ms. Adamos confirmed the parklet program application became active online based upon the program as approved by Council in December 2021 and further clarified in January. Staff is still working with the architect on the pre-approved design with an expected completion date of late February or potentially early March. Deputy City Manager Pamela Ott clarified the design review portion of the program is what is currently active. She added when non-design review applications are ready for submission there will be a quick process because the design work will have already been done on the applicants' behalf by the City. City Council Minutes Page 3 of 16 February 1,2022