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Mounds View City Council September 28, 2020 <br />Regular Meeting Page 6 <br /> <br />Mayor Mueller commented with the number of cases on the rise, she did not anticipate the mask <br />mandate would be repealed. She suggested the Council continue holding meetings as is until the <br />situation improves. The City Council supported this recommendation. <br /> <br /> 2. Business Assistance. <br /> <br />Finance Director Beer stated the Council was interested in discussing possible ways to assist <br />businesses in the City of Mounds View. He noted the Council had refunded 25% of the license <br />fees for impacted businesses. He explained the Council could consider refunding an additional <br />portion of these fees up to 100%. He reviewed the business assistance programs being offered by <br />Blaine and Spring Lake Park and requested direction from the Council on how to proceed. <br /> <br />Council Member Meehlhause commented if the remaining license fees were refunded this would <br />total $14,000. Finance Director Beer stated this was correct. <br /> <br />City Administrator Zikmund encouraged the Council to be cautious because the City does not <br />know what would happen with LGA for 2021. He believed it was wise to hang onto this money <br />until further information was available. He did understand that the Council wanted to help its local <br />businesses and discussed how labor intensive a grant program would be for City staff. He explained <br />an amount would have to be set if the Council wanted to pursue a business assistance grant <br />program. <br /> <br />Council Member Bergeron stated at this time he would be in favor of refunding additional amounts <br />the City has collected for licenses. He suggested the City pause the refunding of 2021 fees and <br />the business assistance program. He explained he wanted to learn more about what would happen <br />with LGA from the State Legislature. <br /> <br />Council Member Meehlhause commented he agreed with Council Member Bergeron. He <br />recommended the City wait and see how things unfold prior to refunding 2021 fees. <br /> <br />Council Member Hull and Council Member Gunn agreed the 2020 fees should be refunded. <br /> <br />Mayor Mueller explained the City Council previously refunded 25% of business license fees. She <br />believed the fairest way to provided assistance to businesses at this time would be to refund the <br />remaining fees that were paid for 2020. She indicated she would support a refund of 75%, making <br />the total refund 100% for the year. She explained 2020 has been a very difficult year and she was <br />concerned about the health of local businesses. City Administrator Zikmund stated he and Finance <br />Director Beer would collaborate on this matter and would report back to the Council with a <br />Resolution. The Council supported this item coming back for approval on the Consent Agenda. <br /> <br />City Administrator Zikmund reviewed the items that would be discussed at the October 5 th <br />worksession meeting. <br /> <br />C. Reports of City Attorney. <br /> 1. Council Worksessions. <br />