10-26-2020-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 26, 2O2O Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla explained staff was looking for a little window of time to finalize all documentation prior to November 14. Councilmember Holden questioned how many businesses would be able to get all of their documentation to the City by November 2. She stated she hated to miss an opportunity to help local small businesses. She asked how the remaining funds could be used by the City if not granted to small businesses. Mayor Grant reported these funds can be used in other ways Finance Director Bauman indicated these funds can be used for PPE, payroll for public safety, police and fire personnel. City Administrator Perrault commented further on why the November 2 deadline was selected in order to assist staff in understanding which businesses would be awarded funds and how the additional CARES Act dollars should be allocated. Councilmember Holden asked if there were 25 or 27 businesses that applied for grants. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla reported the City received two additional applications on Friday, bringing the total number of applications to 27 . Councilmember Holden inquired if the remaining dollars from the grant program should be used to offset police and fire expenses given the amount of staff time that would be required to get these dollars to local businesses. Mayor Grant recommended any surplus balance not be distributed back to businesses. He believed City staff had done a great job getting grants to local businesses that had requested assistance. Councilmember McClung agreed with Councilmember Holden and Mayor Grant. He reported the City had advertised this program well and also conducted site visits to promote the small business grant program. He stated he was comfortable with the November 2 deadline. He supported any excess funding be put towards public safety salaries, which have been considerable. Councilmember Holmes explained she spoke with City Administrator Perrault about this matter and understood the City still had a significant amount that could be used for public safety costs. She suggested the excess be given to the Mounds View School District given the additional expenses they were incurring. Mayor Grant questioned if the school district was an eligible entity to reseive these funds. Finance Director Bauman stated she would have to investigate this further and explained there would have to be a need for the grant. Mayor Grant reported the school district has more than 50 employees and therefore would not qualify for a grant. 6