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Home My WebLink AboutMIN 04.03.2020 CC-SNotice of a Meeting of the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas Tuesday, April 3, 2020 The Georgetown City Council will meet on Tuesday, April 3, 2020 at 3:00 PM at the Council Chambers at 510 West 91h St., Georgetown, Texas. The City of Georgetown is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require assistance in participating at a public meeting due to a disability, as defined under the ADA, reasonable assistance, adaptations, or accommodations will be provided upon request. Please contact the City Secretary's Office, at least three (3) days prior to the scheduled meeting date, at (512) 930-3652 or City Hall at 808 Martin Luther King, Jr Street for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. Mayor Ross called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. The following Council Members were in attendance via videoconference: Mayor Dale Ross; Mary Calixtro, Council Member District 1; Valerie Nicholson, Council Member District 2; Mike Triggs, Council Member District 3; Steve Fought, Council Member District 4; Kevin Pitts, Council Member District 5; and Rachael Jonrowe, Council Member District 6. Tommy Gonzalez, Council Member District 7 was absent. Legislative Regular Agenda A. Forwarded from the Georgetown Economic Development Corporation (GEDCO): Consideration and possible action to approve a COVID-19 Small Business Resource Grant Program -- Michaela Dollar, Economic Development Director Dollar presented and provided a background for the program noting that since the end of the great recession, small businesses have created 62% of the net new private sector jobs in the United States, and know that impact of small businesses on the City's local economy, and the immediate impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has on these businesses, the City and Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) have been working together to launch a Small Business Grant program. She continued, stating that the Chamber has designated $100,000 for a COVID-19 Small Business Resources grant program and City staff proposed that the Georgetown Economic Development Corporation (GEDCO) contribute an additional $100,000 to the grant program while contracting with the Chamber to administer the funds. Dollar said that GEDCO approved the program at their March 30, 2020 meeting and the program would create $200,000 with a maximum award of $5,000 per business. She then explained the funding ability and noted that the State allows up to 10% of Type A funds to be used for promotion each year, and the unused portion can be granted for business assistance which can include business assistance to non -primary employers in this situation and the City typically budgets for approximately 5% of the Type A funds to be used for promotion, and have enough remaining to cover the $100,000. Dollar explained the eligible businesses which are: non -home based businesses; located in Georgetown; have 25 full time employees or fewer; services and revenue have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; not non -profits; and priority will be given to businesses with frequent and/or close contact with customers. She explained the application information that will include business ownership, business impacts due to COVID-19, personnel counts and reductions, revenue estimates and reductions, use of grant funds, and additional sources being sought. Dollar reviewed the approval process which will include the following: application will be accepted until August 1, 2020 or when funds are used, and will be reviewed and awarded weekly; the review committee consists of the Chamber President, Chamber Executive Committee, and the Georgetown Economic Development Director; and higher priority will be given for businesses with frequent and close contact with customers, businesses who check more boxes under "business impacts," larger amounts of employee reduction, and larger business revenue loss. Motion by Pitts, second by Nicholson. Calixtro asked what percentage of businesses that could qualify for the program. Dollar responded that she was not sure off hand, but any business in City limits that have 25 full time employees, or fewer would be eligible and membership to the Chamber is not required. Calixtro asked for clarification the application process and receipt of funds. Dollar responded that the committee will review applications weekly and awarding grants weekly. Calixtro asked if the City has already received applications. Dollar responded not at the City, but the Chamber will accept applications and be administering the funds. Nicholson asked for clarification on where application be available and where they will be submitted. Jim Johnson, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce responded that the applications will be available on the Chamber website. Mayor Ross asked if the easiest way to apply will be through the website. Johnson responded yes, there is a Corona virus update on front page. Mayor Ross asked if Johnson would like to provide additional comments. Johnson responded that the Chamber is very excited about opportunity and the time frame will start this afternoon with the first grant being awarded within 14 days. Nicholson noted that one of the hardest hit areas is restaurant or hospitality. She asked that Johnson comment to 25 full time employee equivalent threshold. Johnson responded that the committee used a franchise owned restaurant and looked at their number of employees and felt that 25 covered most of what was they were looking for. Nicholson said that some businesses have already had to make decisions related to staffing and asked when the full-time employee counts were made. Dollar responded that the count of full-time employees was based on March 1st through May 15th and then compared to the business' expected decline. Triggs asked about the schedule of money going out. Dollar responded that the funds will be given on a first come, first serve basis. She added that the committee will look at a range of impact on the businesses with many expected applicants at first. Dollar stated that the committee did extend deadline in case all of the funds aren't used right of way. Triggs responded that he thought it was a good idea. Pitts asked about the 25 maximum employees and if there will be any exclusions. Dollar responded that the committee had not talked through an exclusion element. Pitts asked larger locally owned and operated restaurants would be considered. Dollar responded that after the initial wave of applicants is reviewed the committee could consider working on an exclusion. Pitts asked if most restaurants have less than 25 full time employees or equivalent. Dollar responded that most do. Pitts asked if there will be a second round of funding or if there will be an extension period for the applications. Dollar responded that she is note sure about a second round, but the committee did put a longer application period in if not all funds were used. Pitts noted that people applying for federal funds will be waiting for a while. He asked if most of the Economic Development money is used to bring businesses and create new jobs. Dollar responded yes through recruitment and primary employers. Pitts stated that the City should do what it can to help businesses locally and that he fully supports this grant program and the quick response. Fought stated that this item was discussed rather extensively at GEDCO extensively and City needs to do everything possible to retain jobs. He added that GEDCO approved the project 100%. Jonrowe stated that she had no questions other than Council being notified when funds are depleted. She supported exploring all possible options for a second round of funds. David Morgan, City Manager, stated that the Texas Municipal League (TML) has a request in that the Governor expand the use of GEDCO type funds and be more flexible. Mayor Ross asked for any closing comments from Chamber and noted the good work. Johnson responded that in 2006 there was a former non-profit known as the Georgetown Industrial Foundation that gifted funds to the Chamber. He added that there have been many conversations with the Chamber and the City, and they are helping businesses get back. Robyn Densmore, City Secretary, noted that she had not received any public comments or requests for the public to speak. Roll Call Vote: Calixtro — Yes Nicholson — Yes Triggs — Yes Fought — Yes Pitts — Yes Jonrowe — Yes Gonzalez — Absent Approved 6-0 (Gonzalez absent). Mayor Ross noted that it is the will of the Council to do this sooner rather than later. Adjournment Motion by Fought, second by Nicholson. Approved 6-0 (Gonzalez absent). Meeting adjourned at 4:32 p.m. Approved by the Georgetown City Council on Date Dale Ross, Mayor Attest: City Vecrelary