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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 18 Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla stated at its August 24, 2020 meeting, the City Council adopted resolution 2020-035 establishing a Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the direction of the City Council, the City of Arden Hills made available $150,000.00 of CARES Act Funds to support the Grant Program. The intent of the grant program is 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. The program provides locally-owned and operated businesses with an emergency grant of up to $5,000. The established grant amount allows for up to 30 Arden Hills business to apply and receive funding. To be eligible to receive a grant, a business must demonstrate loss due to COVID-19 and meet the eligibility requirements and program parameters. The application window closed on Friday, September 25. At this time, City staff has received 18 applications and has awarded funds to 13 businesses. It was noted the City was close to awarding several other grants. Staff commented on the current program and requested the Council consider an amendment to the parameters (allowing for less than three employees) and that the application window be reopened to run from September 29 through October 6. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember McClung seconded a motion to adopt Resolution #2020-046 removing the minimum employment criteria and reopening the application window for the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program starting Tuesday, September 29, 2020 through Tuesday, October 6, 2020. A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried (5-0). D. MnDOT Letter regarding Highway 51 Councilmember Holden requested the City write a letter to MnDOT noting opposition to the proposed road closures. She stated she could not understand why pedestrians could cross Snelling Avenue, but this roadway was too dangerous for vehicles. She reported she attended a meeting in the Glenhill neighborhood this evening where over 50 people expressed their frustration with the proposed road closure. She explained this neighborhood would be writing a letter to the Governor. She anticipated that if Ramsey County enforced the speed limit many of MnDOT’s concerns would go away. She suggested this information be included in the letter to MnDOT. Mayor Grant supported the City sending a letter to MnDOT. He recommended a letter also be placed on file at City Hall and be sent to the City Attorney. Councilmember McClung stated he supported the City sending a letter to MnDOT explaining the City believes MnDOT would be exacerbating an already dangerous situation by allowing pedestrian crossings. He indicated this portion of roadway was bad and would only get worse without proper enforcement from Ramsey County. He recommended a letter be sent to Ramsey County and the State Patrol regarding the traffic concerns for this stretch of roadway. Mayor Grant explained he would work with the City Administrator to draft a letter to MnDOT. Councilmember McClung recommended this letter be drafted as quickly as possible by the City.