HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-13 - AGENDA REPORTS - 2020 SC SMALL BUSINESS COVID RELIEF GRANT PGM (2)O
Agenda Item: 9
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CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:1
DATE: October 13, 2020
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF THE 2020 SANTA CLARITA SMALL BUSINESS
COVID RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
PRESENTER: Jason Crawford
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Approve the 2020 Santa Clarita Small Business COVID Relief Grant Program to provide up
to $500,000 total to eligible small businesses, with individual awards not to exceed $5,000
per eligible business.
2. Direct staff to execute the 2020 Santa Clarita Small Business COVID Relief Grant Program
and initiate the application process.
3. Increase Revenue Account 229-4424.015, CARES Act Grants, by $500,000.
4. Appropriate $500,000 to Expenditure Account E0211229-5161.001.
BACKGROUND
On March 13, 2020, the City of Santa Clarita (City) issued a local emergency declaration in
response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Immediately following the emergency declaration, the
City, in cooperation with the State of California mandates and Los Angeles County Department
of Public Health orders, announced the suspension of all non -essential business and mass
gatherings to stop further spread of COVID-19. The sweeping measures and forced disruption
have profoundly affected the Santa Clarita business community.
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was
signed into law. The CARES Act established the $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund to provide
payments to state, local, and Tribal governments navigating the impact of COVID-19. Due to the
significant impacts of COVID-19 to the Santa Clarita community, the City was awarded
$2,740,224 under the CARES Act from the Coronavirus Relief Fund from the State of
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California. The City remains committed to supporting small local businesses. In response to the
urgent needs of Santa Clarita's business community in light of the global pandemic, the 2020
Santa Clarita Small Business COVID Relief Grant Program is proposed.
The City has a history of business -friendly policies, having been named Most Business -Friendly
City in Los Angeles County by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation multiple
times. The City Council implemented a program during the Great Recession, known as the 21-
Point Plan for Progress, that helped local businesses weather the storm of the recession and be
well positioned for a strong recovery.
The following is a summary of the proposed 2020 Santa Clarita Small Business COVID Relief
Grant Program:
Small businesses (fewer than 100 employees) within the City will be eligible to be
reimbursed up to $5,000.
To obtain reimbursement, expenses must be related to business interruption due to
COVID-19. This may include:
o Personal protective equipment, such as masks, gloves, face shields, disposable
gowns, and shoe covers
o Cleaning and sanitizing products
o Equipment related to remote working and distance learning
o Health screening services, such as temperature assessment and symptom
screening
o Physical space modification to allow for social distancing indoors and to expand
activities outdoors to continue business operations safely, according to current
health order guidelines
o Adaptive business services, which allow a business to remain open while health
order restrictions are in place. These include disinfecting services to provide
increased sanitation and alternative disinfection procedures, such as ultrasonic
waves, high -intensity UV radiation, and LED blue light methods.
Expenses must have been incurred between March 1, 2020, and December 30, 2020, with
receipts provided to the City prior to reimbursement.
The City will accept applications for these grants from October 14 to October 28. A
lottery system will be used to select grant recipients from the eligible businesses that have
applied.
Following the selection of grant recipients, funding distribution to eligible businesses will
be completed by December 30, 2020.
Additionally, the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) agreed to
partner with the City on this program to provide one-time financial reimbursements to eligible
businesses located throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, both within the City of Santa Clarita and
within the unincorporated areas, utilizing the same criteria as above.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as directed by City Council.
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FISCAL IMPACT
2020 Santa Clarita Small Business COVID Relief Grant Program funding will utilize CARES
Act funding to reimburse up to $500,000 total to local small businesses within the City of Santa
Clarita. The SCVEDC will provide additional funding to partner with the City on this program to
reimburse businesses located throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, both within the City of Santa
Clarita and within the unincorporated areas, There will be no impact to the General Fund.
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