Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 24, 2020 6 <br /> <br />state and federal emergency financing programs. Upon a successful grant application being <br />awarded funds, the applicant would be required to sign an acknowledgment agreement under <br />which the applicant agrees to spend the awarded funds on eligible uses. As a condition for <br />receiving grant funding, all grant recipients would be required to submit a brief report <br />documenting how the grant funds were utilized by November 30, 2020. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla stated funds for grants will be <br />distributed on a first-come, first-considered/awarded basis. Applications will be accepted until <br />September 15, 2020 or when all general grant funds are fully committed. Each general grant <br />application will be considered independently in the order received until funding is expended. <br />Once all available funding has been expended, any remaining eligible applications not receiving <br />funding will be held and considered if future funding rounds become available. Staff will report <br />back to the City Council to discuss the feasibility of additional funding opportunities. If approved, <br />staff will finalize the implementation of the new program such as begin promoting the program <br />through emails, the website, and social media. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes asked if the application form would be similar to the County’s form. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla reported the application would be <br />similar. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes questioned how the City would get the word out regarding this grant <br />program. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla discussed how the City would <br />advertise this program to the local business community. He reported the business registration list <br />would be utilized noting emails would be sent. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden explained the North Chamber has done a great job advertising the grant <br />opportunities that were available through Ramsey County. She suggested the North Chamber be <br />contacted to promote the City’s program. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant supported this recommendation. He suggested the City send a letter and email the <br />local businesses regarding this grant program. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued regarding the number of businesses that could be helped through the proposed <br />small business grant program. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant asked if funds from these grants could be used for revenue loss. <br /> <br />City Administrator Perrault reported these funds could be used to cover expenditures but not <br />revenue losses. Staff provided further comment on the types of expenditures that could be covered <br />by the City’s grant funds. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung commented he supported staff sending letters to the local businesses <br />regarding the grant program. He asked how quickly staff could have a letter drafted and in the <br />mail.