pages: CityCouncil/2020-10-06.pdf, 12
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CityCouncil | 2020-10-06 | 12 | Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the authority is in addition to the $1 million. The City Manager responded Council has provided three actions during COVID: 1) opportunity to defer rent for an initial 60, and then extended to, 90-days; forgiveness of loans was not specifically authorized by Council at the time, 2) grant programs to businesses and to Alameda Point, and 3) $2 million in funding; stated the $1.5 million is not in addition to the $2 million. Councilmember Oddie noted the motion in the May 19, 2020 minutes gave staff authority to provide any three month deferral and up to an additional three month deferral per tenant, which would be converted into a promissory note; stated Council placed a cap on abatement with an indication to return to Council for removing the cap; Council authorized six months of deferral. The City Manager stated it was unclear whether or not loan forgiveness was allowed to be provided; noted staff has not provided forgiveness. Councilmember Vella stated Council provided a specific cap on abatement; inquired the ask from staff and whether the entire $1.5 million is to be abated; expressed concern about the previous authorized cap not being exercised and there being no breakdown provided for the $1.5 million funding. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft requested clarification whether Council should approve which loans are made to which businesses. Councilmember Vella stated Council should approve the program, process and criteria; questioned how the process fits together. The City Manager stated no forgiveness has been made due to conservative reading of the motion; expressed concern about staff surpassing Council authority; stated loan forgiveness equates to an expenditure; the City Manager has a $75,000 cap on authorized expenditures; rent deferrals have occurred, but forgiveness has not; the $1.5 million is a cap which could be forgiven up to its entirety. The Community Development Director stated the $1.5 million would be a maximum cap; staff has received 6 to 7 applications to date which have met eligibility requirements for the program; the $1.5 million would be spread across a number of businesses that have asked for assistance; Council approved a number of criteria in the Spring and established an order for a business to move from deferral to abatement; staff is not proposing any changes to previously established criteria; staff is seeking the authorization and clarity to apply the $1.5 million funding to businesses based on staff's analysis of need and the qualifying criteria for abatement; staff will work within the criteria and the capped amount of money. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council October 6, 2020 10 | CityCouncil/2020-10-06.pdf |