City Council

A. DISCUSSION ON ANOTHER ROUND OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE\nPROGRAM\nGiven the success of the City’s small business assistance programs over the last\ntwo years, the City Council at the October 4, 2022, meeting directed staff to\ndevelop another business assistance grant program which would utilize funds\nreceived from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The goal of the\nprogram is to improve business operations with the use of the additional\nfunding. This staff report outlines a potential program’s requirements,\ndisqualifying criteria, and administration. Funding for the program will utilize\nfunds received from the City’s ARPA allocation which have been accounted for\nin the City’s General Fund. The program has not been budgeted for, therefore\nan appropriation for the program will come directly from the General Fund\nReserves.\nCalifornia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Determination: Not a Project as\ndefined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines.\nRecommended Action:\nStaff recommends that the City Council discuss the Small Business Assistance\nProgram and provide staff direction on the program parameters. Staff will bring\nback a Resolution and Guidelines at a future meeting for consideration. Staff will\nhave a PowerPoint presentation with the major program guidelines to facilitate\nthe discussion.