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account deposits were also suspended, to be applied to the utility bill and due when the local emergency declaration is lifted. To date, there are no deferred deposits to be collected. Additionally, late charges on existing City utility accounts have been waived throughout the local emergency declaration period; it was acknowledged with approval of the assistance program that these waived late charges would not be recovered by the City. No service was shut-off for non-payment due to the pandemic. Business Support Fund Loans The City Council approved a $3 million special fund to provide zero-interest, unsecured, short-term loans to independently or locally owned small businesses. The loan program opened on May 8, 2020, and 79 businesses were approved for a total of $208,300. On August 18, 2020, the City Council approved the addition of professional services as an eligible business type, lengthened the repayment period from 24 months to 36 months, and increased loan amounts; previous applicants were eligible to request the increased loan amounts. One hundred fifteen businesses received loans for a total of $1,335,700. The loan program guidelines state that repayment will commence on the first day of the month after the COVID-19 local emergency declaration is lifted. To provide ample notice to businesses, City staff will notify businesses that repayment of the funds dispersed as part of the Business Support loan program will commence on the first day of the month following a 30-day period after the local emergency declaration is lifted, such that loan repayment will begin on April 1, 2023. Communication and Promotion Outgoing communication with the business community was paramount during the pandemic to ensure that businesses were aware of available resources and programs. Several new City webpages were developed to provide information and promote local business support. A business resources newsletter was sent weekly or as needed to over 4,000 business license holders; 90 newsletters have been sent to date. Social media platforms have been used to help promote restaurants, retail, and other businesses. Other Business Support Programs First Weekends on Main The City held the Weekend on Main street closures program in 2020 and 2021, with support from the Pleasanton Downtown Association (PDA), to provide outdoor space for downtown merchants to expand their operations while indoor operations were restricted due to county and state health orders, as well as to draw residents to downtown while maintaining social distancing. In 2022, the street closures were renamed First Weekends on Main, and were scheduled for the first weekend of each month from May through December, as part of PDA's annual downtown events schedule. Temporary 15 Percent Cap on Food Delivery Services Commission Charges On October 6, 2020, the City Council approved an urgency ordinance establishing a temporary 15 percent cap on commission charges by third-party food delivery services on Pleasanton restaurants during the pandemic. Since public health restrictions Page 3 of 6