pages: CityCouncil/2020-04-21.pdf, 18
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CityCouncil | 2020-04-21 | 18 | tipping, or pre-paying for services; expressed gratitude for staff's work on conflicts; stated staff has exercised good judgement; noted his first choice would be to have the process contained within staff; stated publicly traded companies should not be eligible; there may be some issues with franchises; this is just the beginning, many other proprietors that do not have employees will need assistance and Council should consider providing assistance; he will not support a delay in the minimum wage increase; expressed support for understanding how businesses deal with the increase should it prove to be impactful; expressed concern that the action is not enough; stated a trigger should be added in the event a high amount of applications are received, the City Manager could be authorized to fund an additional amount or additional funding could be considered at the next Council meeting. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated more funding is needed; the City's funding should be considered as a last resort; businesses should apply for federal grants; outlined available funding; stated staff has connected with the business community and provided resources; façade grant funds could be used to help reposition floorplans for businesses and restaurants to prepare for reopening; she does not support a geographical quota; good criteria have been created, along with the proposed panel; Council must resist the urge to be all things to all people; her first criteria is to keep people housed; expressed support for helping renters and keeping businesses open; stated there is not majority support for delaying the minimum wage increase; she does not support a blanket delay; questioned whether staff could provide criteria for allowing a slight delay in implementing the minimum wage increase, such as an employer providing benefits or maintaining its workforce in majority or whole; questioned whether the topic lends itself to subcommittee review; stated the subcommittee could be herself and Councilmember Oddie; she would hate to see a business go under. Councilmember Vella moved approval of the staff proposal to start the small business grant program at $7,500 per grant, adding direction based on Vice Mayor Knox White's comments related to a business which does not need all $7,500 being able to return a portion of the grant back to the fund for allocation to other businesses, directing staff to look at other public-private partnerships and funding available in the future, taking into account all feedback given from speakers and Councilmembers, directing staff to work on this immediately and allow the program to begin as soon as possible, and that no financial institutions or publically traded companies can be recipients of the grant. Vice Mayor Knox White seconded the motion, with the understanding that the direction also includes no bureaucratic hoops be in the way of the program starting. Under discussion, Councilmember Oddie proposed a friendly amendment to include the Community Development Director's panel composition. Councilmember Vella accepted the friendly amendment. Councilmember Oddie proposed an agenda item be placed on the next Council meeting to discuss the matter in the event of popularity. Special Meeting Alameda City Council April 21, 2020 8 | CityCouncil/2020-04-21.pdf |