Title
Resolution authorizing and approving investments for additional COVID-19 relief program(s), Citywide
Body
WHEREAS, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota (the "HRA") is a public body corporate and politic established pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.001, et seq. (the “Act”); and
WHEREAS, the HRA has the power to engage in development or redevelopment activities under Minnesota law and the HRA is authorized to engage in activities relating to (a) housing projects and development, (b) removal and prevention of the spread of conditions of blight or deterioration, (c) bringing substandard buildings and improvements into compliance with public standards, (d) disposition of land for private redevelopment, and (e) improving the tax base and the financial stability of the community, and to engage in the aforementioned activities when these needs cannot be met through reliance solely upon private initiative and which can also be undertaken in targeted neighborhoods; and is authorized to create redevelopment projects as defined in Minn. Stat. Section 469.002, Subd. 14; and
WHEREAS, in September of 2020, the City Council approved RES 20-1294 which allocated $3,500,000 of Federal CARES Act Funds to the City’s Department of Planning and Economic Development (“PED”) to assist businesses and cultural organizations negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, PED advanced programs to assist business and cultural organizations with the allocated Federal CARES Act Funds; and
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2020, the City Council approved RES PH 20-250 which reallocated a portion of the $3,500,000 Federal CARES Act Funds to other City departments for immediate spending; and
WHEREAS, the reallocation of Federal CARES Act funds made available funds budgeted as transfers from the HRA and, consequently, the HRA thereafter approved RES 20-1622 amending its budget and authorized spending of up to $1,017,444 on COVID-19 relief programs from the HRA Loan Enterprise Fund; and
WHEREAS, on November 18, 2020, Minnesota Governor Walz issued Executive Order 20-99, which closed dine-in service to bars and restaurants, gyms and fitness centers, and many entertainment venues; and
WHEREAS, PED staff researched options for providing emergency relief to Saint Paul businesses impacted by Executive Order 20-99 and recommend funding programs as detailed in the Board Report that accompanies this Resolution; and
WHEREAS, by this Resolution the HRA finds a public purpose for the funding relief to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, as detailed in the accompanying Board Report; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota that:
1. The HRA Board of Commissioners hereby approves the program investments in business relief on the terms and conditions described in the Board Report, with any unspent funds earmarked for the Restaurant and Brewery Promotional and Tech Program being reallocated to the Bridge Fund for Small Businesses Targeted Extension on January 30, 2021.
2. The HRA Executive Director, staff, and legal counsel for the HRA are further directed and authorized to take all actions necessary to implement this Resolution.