pages: CityCouncil/2020-05-19.pdf, 24
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CityCouncil | 2020-05-19 | 24 | The Assistant Community Development Director responded there are smaller businesses outside of Alameda Point; stated 25 employees is a reach for many tenants. Councilmember Oddie stated the 25 employee threshold could be just for rent forgiveness or conversion; expressed support for assisting as many tenants as possible. The Assistant Community Development Director stated not many landlords are offering rent abatement; the City is setting the pace by providing abatement; requested clarification on the threshold for allowing rent abatement. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the City should not do something just because it can; Council should be prudent in helping people through difficult times and should be judicious with the criteria of who qualifies for rent abatement; expressed support for long deferral programs and allowing payments to be paid at the back-end of the lease; stated the criteria needs to be applied in a way that keeps areas viable; expressed support for a program which relies heavily on deferral; stated the time can be lengthened; abatement should only be allowed under specialized circumstances. Vice Mayor Knox White expressed support for rent abatement; stated Council needs to show leadership and encourage others to do so; inquired whether the 90-day deferral and the 90-day loan conversion becomes a six month loan conversion program; whether tenants still have to pay the 90-day deferral. The Assistant Community Development Director responded everything is mixed in together; stated after six months, the tenant has proven that they have overcome and met some of the set benchmarks; staff will offer a 50% abatement and the tenant will be subject to the original deferral program. The City Manager stated the original three months will be combined with an additional three months; should a tenant not abate for three months, another month could be added at some point; noted all six months could be wrapped into a loan. The Assistant Community Development Director expressed support for the length of the program being based on the length of time the building was unusable, plus one month; for having either three months or $300,000 being the cap, allowing Council to designate whichever is greater or lower; stated the options allow guidelines for administering the program. Vice Mayor Knox White expressed concern about the $300,000 cap; stated the cap will be reached at 2 to 3 companies; expressed concern about approving the first seven businesses that apply, hitting the cap and needing to request more funding. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether or not staff will be contemplating tenants on a first come first served basis; expressed support for an application period and process with scoring criteria. Special Meeting Alameda City Council 15 May 19, 2020 | CityCouncil/2020-05-19.pdf |