City Council

E.2.\nUPDATE\nON\nBUSINESS\nRETENTION\nPROGRAMS\nFOR\nRESTAURANTS [L. BIERY, P. KESPRADIT, O. JONES]:\nSUBJECT: The City Council will receive an update on business retention\nprograms designed to retain restaurant business in the City of West\nHollywood.\nRECOMMENDATIONS: 1) Receive an update on the Business\nDevelopment workplan including existing business retention programs and\noutreach conducted to restaurants; 2) Authorize staff to develop\ncomprehensive guidelines for a one-time Restaurant Grant Program\nsupporting restaurant businesses. Once the guidelines are established,\nstaff will then administer the program, which will provide grants totaling up\nto $250,000. Each eligible restaurant business, excluding those located on\nthe premises of, connected to, or operated in conjunction with a hotel, may\nreceive up to $12,500; 3) Authorize the Director of Finance & Technology\nServices to allocate $250,000 from unallocated reserves in the General\nFund Reserves for the Restaurant Grant Program; and 4) Direct staff to\nexplore other temporary economic relief programs as part of an economic\nstimulus package specifically for restaurants including reductions or\nwaivers of City business tax certificates, business license fees, and/or\nspecial event permit fees, increased funding for WeHo Loves Locals Gift\nCard Program, and reintroduction of the WeHappy Wednesdays for\npotential incorporation in the next two-year budget cycle.