08-12-2020 Workshop Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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We have attended many CARES Act on-line seminars presented by the League of Minnesota Cities, Minnesota Management and Budget, Minnesota Government Finance Officers Association, and CliftonLarsonAllen in the past few weeks. These seminars have given us insight on allowable uses of the funds. Furthermore, the League of Minnesota Cities and Minnesota Management and Budget continues to issue allowable use guidelines. The funds may be used for internal costs incurred by the City that meet the criteria of the guidance, or for external financial assistance for businesses and residents. If providing financial assistance, the assistance must be based on a need related to COVID-19. A simple per capita payment is not allowed per the guidance. The funds may be transferred to other units of government. If the funds are transferred to other units of government, or awarded as grants or loans to business entities, the City must ensure that they follow the same federal requirements that the City is subject to, and the City is responsible for subrecipient monitoring regulations. If it determined that the funds were improperly used, the City would be responsible for repaying and recouping these funds. While the guidance on what is eligible under the CARES Act has been constantly evolving, staff would like to provide Council with a brief update and seek further direction including the following: • Discuss allocation approach and order of the allocations. Based on the current guidance, staff is recommending: 1) Public safety reimbursement 2) Reimbursement of qualified City of Little Canada direct expenditures; including PPE, workplace safety, and technology needed for telework. 3) Consideration of grants to local businesses or other entities • Discussion of whether there is a need for additional grant and assistance opportunities for residents and businesses beyond those already offered through Ramsey County and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Once input has been received from the Council, an allocation approach and expenditure plan will be presented at a future meeting. If determined that a grant program is needed, this will be presented at a future meeting.