City Council

4-A. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION IMPLEMENTING THE SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE\nPROGRAM USING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS AND A\nRESOLUTION TO AWARD A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO THE CHINATOWN\nSERVICE CENTER FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE SMALL\nBUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM\nIt is recommended that the City Council consider:\n(1) Opening the public hearing, taking testimonial evidence, and closing the public hearing;\n(2) Approving the implementation of the Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP) using\nan initial allocation of $200,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds,\n20% of which would be allocated for program administration, to support local businesses\nfacing economic challenges and the lingering effects of the mass shooting tragedy and\nCOVID-19 pandemic. Subject to funding availability, the City may allocate additional funds\nto support the program;\n(3) Adopt a resolution to adopt policies and procedures for distributing CDBG funds to qualified\nexpenses and businesses and/or property owners participating in the SBAP to ensure\ncompliance with all applicable CDBG regulations; and\n(4) Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable.\nCEQA (California Environmental Quality Act):\nThe City reviewed the environmental impacts of the draft Resolution pursuant to the California\nEnvironmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq. “CEQA”) and the\nregulations promulgated thereunder (14 Cal. Code of Regs. §§ 15000, et seq., the “CEQA\nGuidelines”). CEQA Guidelines §§ 15060(c)(2), 15061(b)(3), 15378, and 15308 exempt activities\nthat will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the\nenvironment, activities where there is possibility that it may have a significant effect on the\nenvironment, activities that do not constitute a “project” as defined, and actions to protect the\nenvironment, respectively. This activity is for general policies and procedure-making intended to\npromote economic development. Any subsequent construction or development will be evaluated\nseparately under the CEQA Guidelines. Accordingly, the draft Resolution is exempt from further\nreview.