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• Funds may be used to cover payroll expenses for certain employees whose services are substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency. • To enable compliance with COVID-19 public health precautions, funds may be used to provide paid sick and paid family and medical leave to public employees. • Unemployment insurance costs related to the COVID-19 public health emergency if such costs will not be reimbursed by the federal government pursuant to the CARES Act or otherwise. • Funds can be used to support business assistance programs aimed specifically at COVID-19 related business impacts. City staff is breaking down this discussion into three different areas – residents, businesses and the city. Residents Roseville is the only adjacent community we currently know about that is offering assistance to residents via CARES Act funds. The majority of communities are referring residents to the county’s program mentioned below and are waiting to see if Congress extends existing COVID-19 benefits. Staff would recommend following this approach of directing residents to the Ramsey County program already in place. Ramsey County is providing financial assistance to county residents who have lost income due to COVID-19 and need help paying for housing costs. Residents may be eligible for Emergency Assistance that can help pay for past due rent/mortgage, a damage deposit, or prevent utilities including water, electricity and heat from being disconnected. Adults with children and those who are pregnant can receive up to $5,500 in housing assistance; single adults can received up to $3,000 in housing assistance; and families and single adults can receive up to $3,000 in utility assistance. Expanded eligibility requirements and increased maximum dollar limits for those seeking help have been made possible through federal funds received by the county through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Businesses The State of Minnesota and Ramsey County have provided funding opportunities to businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19. Due to demand, the programs were oversubscribed and many businesses did not meet eligibility requirements imposed by the various programs. According to City data, Arden Hills has approximately 150 businesses. Ramsey County has provided funding to seven (7) Arden Hills businesses and it is unknown at this time if any local businesses received assistance from the State. There is an opportunity for the City to utilize CARES Act funds to provide additional financial assistance to local small businesses that have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency and the Governor’s related Emergency Executive Orders. The intent of the grant program would be to provide financial assistance to local businesses to help them continue their operations, preserve employment, and prevent business closures in an effort to encourage long- term economic vitality in Arden Hills. Staff is proposing the utilization of $150,000 from CARES Act funding to support such a program. Included for review are draft policy guidelines for the proposed assistance program and staff is looking for additional guidance from Council on the programs requirements (Attachment B). The presumption is that the City’s Economic Development Authority will need to approve and administer any business assistance program we may undertake. Tonight staff needs council to