07-06-2021 Council Work Session Packet

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AS OF JUNE 24, 2021 11 may identify other uses of funds that do so, consistent with the Rule’s framework. For example, investments in parks, public plazas, and other public outdoor recreation spaces may be responsive to the needs of disproportionately impacted communities by promoting healthier living environments and outdoor recreation and socialization to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Second, recipients may provide assistance to small businesses in all communities. Assistance to small businesses could include support to enhance outdoor spaces for COVID-19 mitigation (e.g., restaurant patios) or to improve the built environment of the neighborhood (e.g., façade improvements). Third, many governments saw significantly increased use of parks during the pandemic that resulted in damage or increased maintenance needs. The Interim Final Rule recognizes that “decrease[s to] a state or local government’s ability to effectively administer services” can constitute a negative economic impact of the pandemic. 2.19. Would expenses to address a COVID-related backlog in court cases be an eligible use of funds as a response to the public health emergency? [6/23] The Interim Final Rule recognizes that “decrease[s to] a state or local government’s ability to effectively administer services,” such as cuts to public sector staffing levels, can constitute a negative economic impact of the pandemic. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, many courts were unable to operate safely during the pandemic and, as a result, now face significant backlogs. Court backlogs resulting from inability of courts to safely operate during the COVID-19 pandemic decreased the government’s ability to administer services. Therefore, steps to reduce these backlogs, such as implementing COVID-19 safety measures to facilitate court operations, hiring additional court staff or attorneys to increase speed of case resolution, and other expenses to expedite case resolution are eligible uses. 2.20. Can funds be used to assist small business startups as a response to the negative economic impact of COVID-19? [6/23] As discussed in the Interim Final Rule, recipients may provide assistance to small businesses that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19. The Interim Final Rule provides a non-exclusive list of potential assistance mechanisms, as well as considerations for ensuring that such assistance is responsive to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19. Treasury acknowledges a range of potential circumstances in which assisting small business startups could be responsive to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19, including for small businesses and individuals seeking to start small businesses after the start of the COVID-19 public health emergency. For example: