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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 97-21 Approving the Commercial Rent Relief Grant Program and Outdoor Operations Grant Program Reso. No. 97-21, Item 8.1, Adopted 07/20/2021 Page 1 of 2 RESOLUTION NO. 97 - 21 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN APPROVING THE COMMERCIAL RENT RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM AND OUTDOOR OPERATIONS GRANT PROGRAM WHEREAS, on April 20, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 37 -21 approving the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) budget for Fiscal Year 2021-22; and WHEREAS, as part of the City Council’s adoption of Resolution No. 37 -21, approximately $1.2 million was encumbered for future COVID -19 related Economic Development programs; and WHEREAS, during the shelter in place, self-isolation, and other social distancing, many small business owners experienced substantial loss of business income as a result of business closures or the loss of hours, hindering their ability to pay rent or to mai ntain employees on payroll; and WHEREAS, small business owners in these circumstances have faced possible evictions, layoffs, or have been forced to permanently close as a result of the pandemic; and WHEREAS, businesses are an integral part of the Dublin community from the jobs they provide residents to the essential services and amenities supported by the revenues they generate; and WHEREAS, to assist in retaining businesses that are experiencing severe impacts due to COVID-19, Staff is proposing the creation of two new small business support grant programs – Commercial Rent Relief and Outdoor Operations; and WHEREAS, the focus of these programs is on small businesses, primarily restaurants, retailers, and personal service because they have been the most severely affected; and WHEREAS, small businesses are key providers of sales tax revenues that allow the City to provide services and programs that broadly benefit the community; and WHEREAS, the City of Dublin’s small business community is impera tive to the City’s economic health and viability. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin does hereby approve the Commercial Rent Relief Grant Program and the Outdoor Operations Grant Program attached as Exhibit A and B to this Resolution. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager or her designee is hereby authorized and directed to a) execute any documents and/or agreements necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this Resolution, in such form as approved by the City Attorney, including but not limited to, the associated Commercial Rent Relief Grant Program Agreements with property owners, and b) make any necessary, non-substantive changes to the programs or take other actions necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this Resolution. Reso. No. 97-21, Item 8.1, Adopted 07/20/2021 Page 2 of 2 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of July 2021, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Hu, Josey, Kumagai, McCorriston and Mayor Hernandez NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ___________________________ Mayor ATTEST: ____________________________ City Clerk Exhibit A to Resolution City of Dublin I Commercial Rent Relief Grant Program Overview Program Description The Commercial Rent Relief (CRR) Grant Program would provide $10,000 grants to 100 qualified commercial tenants with at least $10,000 in rent arrears, paid directly to the landlord. To receive grant disbursements, landlords must declare their intent to continue leasing space to the qualified tenants through 2021, agree to not start any eviction proceedings on the qualified tenant through 2021, and forgive $10,000 in rent arrears from the tenant's outstanding balance. Business (Tenant) Eligibility Requirements and Restrictions The CRR Grant Program is open to all eligible businesses; however, a priority will be placed on restaurants, retail and personal service (fitness, salon and spa) establishments. Under the CRR Grant Program, eligibility criteria include, but is not limited to: • Must be physically located in the City of Dublin • Must possess a valid City of Dublin Business License (as of March 1, 2021) • Must be in good standing with the City • Must have a minimum of one employee with a maximum of 50 full-time employees • Must have at least $10,000 in commercial rent arrears from March 31, 2020 to present • Must have a commercial lease showing the business as the master tenant (not subletting) • Must Not be a lending and investment institutions and insurance companies • Must Not be a home -based business or non-profit entity • Must Not be a corporately owned chain/franchise store, professional service, or hotel Landlord Eligibility Requirements • Must apply grant funds to tenant's rent arrears balance • Must attest that the tenant is a master lease tenant • Must declare intent to continue leasing tenant in current space through 2021 • Must declare to not start eviction process on the qualified tenant through 2021 • Must sign an agreement confirming all of the above Program Timeline (subject to change) • Application Submittal: • Application Review: • Preapproval Notification: • Funds Disbursement: Friday, July 23, 2021 through Sunday, August 8, 2021 Monday, August 9, 2021 through Friday, August 20, 2021 Week of August 23, 2021 Week of August 30, 2021 Documentation Requirements • Commercial lease showing business as the master tenant • Monthly breakdown of rent arrears from March 2020 to present • Signed Agreement with Landlord acknowledgement of requirements Exhibit B to Resolution City of Dublin I Outdoor Operations Grant Program Overview Program Description The Outdoor Operations (00) Grant Program would help local eating establishments and retailers in Dublin who are looking to provide an outdoor area for dining or shopping. The program will reimburse a variety of eligible expenses related to long-term temporary or permanent outdoor operations incurred by the business. For the purpose of this program, long-term temporary is considered outdoor seating that is permitted until September 30, 2022, and permanent outdoor operations is outdoor seating that would extend beyond the September 30, 2022 timeframe in perpetuity. Grant Opportunities There are two grant opportunities available for businesses which include: • Mini grants up to $10,000 for improvements that fall under the long-term temporary category, or • Grants of up to $50,000 for improvements that fall under the permanent outdoor operations category. Business Eligibility Requirements and Restrictions Under the 00 Grant Program, eligibility criteria include, but is not limited to: • Must be physically located in the City of Dublin • Must possess a valid City of Dublin Business License (as of March 1, 2021) • Must be in good standing with the City • Must be an eating or drinking establishment (i.e., restaurant, bakery, bar, brewery, cafe, coffee/tea, etc.) • Must be a retail establishment (which sells goods/merchandise to the general public) (considered on a case -by -case basis) • Must Not be a corporately owned chain/franchise store • Must Not be a home -based business or hotel Examples of Eligible Expenses Under the 00 Grant Program, examples of eligible expenses include, but is not limited to the following: • Furniture • Tents, canopies, shade sails, umbrellas, and other weather protection • Lights, heaters, plexi-shield, safety barricades, etc. • Physical improvements to install a take-out/pick-up window, patio, deck, shade structure, wheelchair accessible ramp, etc. • Digital technology equipment and/or services (i.e., online or contactless ordering or payment systems, upgrades to Wi-Fi, etc.) (limit of up to $5,000) • City application fees (Staff time and materials) • Dublin San Ramon Services District sewer capacity fees on a case -by -case basis • Cost of architecture/design services, etc. (available only to permanent outdoor operation applicants with a limit of up to $5,000) Program Timeline Applications will be accepted on a first -come, first -served basis, and will be accepted on a rolling basis until funding has been exhausted.