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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 10, 2020 3 <br /> grants in the first round of their program. He reported businesses would not be able to apply to <br /> cover the same expenses twice. <br /> Mayor Grant asked if businesses could also apply for County grants. <br /> Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla reported this would be allowed. <br /> Councilmember Holmes questioned if the City would be asking businesses if they applied for <br /> County grants. <br /> Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla stated this was a question on the <br /> City's application. <br /> Councilmember Holmes asked what would happen if the City received more grant applications <br /> than the $150,000 would cover. She inquired if the City would be able to support a second round <br /> of grants. <br /> Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla commented a second round of <br /> funding could be considered if funding was available. <br /> Mayor Grant supported the grant amounts having a limit of$7,500. <br /> Councilmember Scott recommended the grants have a maximum amount of$10,000. <br /> City Administrator Perrault indicated staff was proposing $150,000 in order to gauge interest <br /> from local businesses. He stated if additional funding was necessary a second round of grants <br /> could be considered. He hoped to have a better idea on Ramsey County Sheriff s Office COVID <br /> related expenses in the next week or two. <br /> Councilmember McClung explained he supported $150,000 to get the grant program started and <br /> recommended the grants be limited to $5,000 or $7,500. <br /> Mayor Grant commented it may be safer to reduce the grant amount to $5,000 as this would <br /> allow businesses to reapply if they have additional expenses. <br /> Councilmember Scott questioned how much overhead this program would cost the City. <br /> Mayor Grant reported these expenditures would be covered by CARES Act dollars. <br /> Councilmember Scott stated he supported the higher grant amount because this would reduce the <br /> amount of staff time spent on the program. <br /> Mayor Grant indicated the City could market this program having multi-rounds. <br /> Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla explained other cities have taken this <br /> approach. <br /> Councilmember McClung supported the City starting with $5,000 grants and going from there. <br />