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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-15 EDAR Commissioner Graves introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: EDA RESOLUTION NO. 2020-15 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL MICRO-BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM EXPENDITURES WHEREAS, the Economic Development Authority of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota (the “EDA”) was created pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, sections 469.090 through 469.1082 to exercise its powers to promote and protect economic development within the City of Brooklyn Center (“City”); and WHEREAS, beginning in March 2020, Governor Tim Walz issued a series of Emergency Executive Orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which closed public and private schools, closed bars, restaurants, and other places of accommodation and generally required Minnesotans to stay at home; and WHEREAS, in an effort to mitigate the economic distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which included Coronavirus Relief Funds (the “Funds”) to provide funding to States and local governments to cover costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic; and WHEREAS, guidance issued by the federal government provides that Funds are intended to cover a variety of costs incurred by State and local governments in responding to and mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 public health crisis, including related to providing economic support including grants to small businesses for costs related to business interruptions; and WHEREAS, the Brooklyn Center Economic Development Authority (the “EDA”) finds that in addition to impacting the health and safety of residents, the unprecedented economic environment created by the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in numerous business interruptions and shutdowns in the City; and WHEREAS, although the State of Minnesota is currently “dialing back” business closures and other restrictions affecting the economy and allowing businesses to reopen under certain limited conditions, the EDA recognizes that the costs of current and prior business interruptions and the costs for businesses associated with reopening under public health guidance and protocols are likely to prevent many businesses from continuing to operate; and WHEREAS, the temporary and potential permanent closure of many of the City’s businesses as a result of the COVID-19 public health crisis threatens to substantially impair the City’s economy; and WHEREAS, preservation of existing businesses with a physical location in the City is essential to stabilizing the City’s economy and the EDA therefore established a Micro-business Relief Grant program to provide grants and technical assistance to businesses, in accordance with federal CARES Act regulations, providing economic assistance to businesses within the City that have been impacted by the economic pressures caused by the COVID-19 public health crisis; and WHEREAS, expenditures relating to the Program are necessary in connection with a public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which were incurred on or after March 1, 2020, and were not accounted for in the EDA’s regular budget in place as of March 27, 2020, and therefore are permissible expenditures of Funds under the CARES Act. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Economic Development Authority of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Board of Commissioners as follows: 1. The City has designated the EDA as its agent to administer an additional $50,000 of its federal funding from the Coronavirus Relief Fund available under the CARES Act for the Program, as provided in the City resolution adopted on October 12, 2020. 2. The Executive Director and EDA staff are hereby authorized and directed to do each of the following regarding the Program: a. Amend the professional services agreement with African Career, Education & Resource (ACER) to provide an additional $50,000 for review and technical assistance in soliciting, assisting with completion, and processing Micro- business Relief Grant Program applications, with compensation to be based on a percentage of the amount of total grants awarded, not to exceed 10% for total grants awarded; and following review and approval by EDA legal counsel, the Executive Director is authorized to sign the agreements on behalf of EDA. b. Take all other actions, and execute such other documents, as may be needed to implement and carry out the Program and the intent of this Resolution. October 12, 2020 Date President The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Commissioner Elliott and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Butler, Elliott, Graves, Lawrence-Anderson, Ryan and the following voted against the same: None whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.