CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: April 18, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ___-22 APPROVING A $60,000 ONE-TIME
GRANT TO THE PLEASANT HILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE GRANT
AGREEMENT
SYNOPSIS
On December 22, 2021, the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce (“Chamber”) submitted a letter (attached) requesting a one-time grant of $60,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
The letter also included an offer to support City staff with the implementation of the City’s ARPA-funded Small Business Economic Stimulus Initiative (“Small Business Initiative”).
The Budget Committee discussed the funding request letter at its February 2, 2022 meeting and reached consensus on recommending that the Chamber receive a one-time $60,000 grant and assist staff with elements of the Small Business Initiative.
DISCUSSION
Based on the funding request letter provided to the City by the Chamber, subsequent City staff conversations with the Chamber, as well as feedback from the Budget Committee, the Grant Agreement (attached) includes a provision for the Chamber to assist the City on an as-needed and mutually agreeable basis to implement elements of the Small Business Initiative that may include:
Coordinating with City staff to make in-person business visits to register merchants for the City’s e-Gift Card Program (a.k.a Pleasant Hill Perks). Disseminating information about Small Business Initiative programs Assisting businesses to fill out and submit Small Business Initiative forms, such as grant applications and reimbursement forms.
FISCAL IMPACT
The $60,000 one-time grant payment would be paid from American Rescue Plan Act funds.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Consider adoption of the resolution to approve a one-time $60,000 grant to the Chamber, and authorize the City Manager to execute the Grant Agreement.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
The Council could choose not to adopt the attached Resolution to provide a one-time $60,000 grant to the Chamber and authorize the City Manager to execute the Grant Agreement.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Resolution
Grant Agreement
Chamber of Commerce Funding Request Proposal Letter
Prepared by: Zach Seal, Economic Development Manager
Approved by: June Catalano, City Manager