Resolution No. 20-40RESOLUTION NO. 20-40
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA AUTHORIZING
THE EXPENDITURE OF $50,000 IN G°BETTER JAX" SALES TAX PROCEEDS TO BE
USED FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF FUNDING A SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF
GRANT PROGRAM TO ASSIST ELIGIBLE LOCAL BUSINESSES ADVERSELY
IMPACTED BY THE COVED -19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY; ESTABLISHING
SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM GUIDELINES AS DETAILED IN
EXHIBIT "A"; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Atlantic Beach understands the impacts of the COVID-19 public health
emergency on the local economy, particularly on small businesses; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to authorize the expenditure of $50,000 in "Better Jax" sales tax
proceeds to establish a Small Business Relief Grant Program to assist local businesses that have been
negatively impacted by the public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, guidelines are detailed in Exhibit "A", attached hereto and made a part hereof, for
the purpose of implementing and operating a Small Business Relief Grant Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Commission of the City of Atlantic Beach:
SECTION 1. The City Commission authorizes the expenditure of $50,000 in "Better Jax" sales
tax proceeds to be used for the specific purpose of funding a Small Business Relief Grant Program to
assist eligible local businesses adversely impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency.
SECTION 2. The City Commission hereby establishes Small Business Relief Grant Program
guidelines as detailed in Exhibit "A".
SECTION 3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage and adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City of Atlantic Beach, this 281h day of September, 2020.
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Ellen G asser, Mayor
Attest:
Donna L. Bartle, City Clerk
Approved as to form and correctness:
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ATTACHMENT A
Small Business Relief Grant Program Guidelines
September 2020
Introduction
Understanding the impacts of COVID-19 on our economy, particularly on small
businesses, the City of Atlantic Beach is launching the Small Business Relief Grants
Program to assist local businesses that have been adversely impacted by the current
COVID-19 crisis.
This program is a gap -financing program in response to the COVID-19 outbreak for
businesses classified as non-essential services and mandated to close. The program's
purpose is to support businesses that have reopened or are reopening with
reemployment of employees, social distancing requirements, and Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE). In addition, this Program also may assist businesses opening new
lines of business in response to the crisis, such as manufacturing medical supplies
needed to respond to the Coronavirus disease or providing cleaning or in-home health
services.
The City of Atlantic Beach has set aside $50,000 to provide grants for businesses with
up to twenty-five (25) employees. Eligible businesses can receive up to a maximum of
$5,000 in grant funding.
This one-time grant is to provide critical support to help City of Atlantic Beach
businesses adversely affected by the Pandemic. The intent of this grant is to support
those businesses with low -to -moderate income employees. Only those businesses with
low -to -moderate salaries, at or below $19.59/hour, will be eligible. Grant recipients may
be subject to an audit, and if grant requirements are not satisfied, grantor will be
required to pay funding back.
Applications will be reviewed and scored after all are received. Grants will be approved
by the City Manager.
How Can This Grant Be Used?
To receive funding through this program, each business will be required to clearly
articulate a plan for applying City grant funds for an eligible use within the typical
operating expenses of the business, including: commercial rent or mortgage payments,
utilities, payroll, retention of employees, employee support programs, or investments in
materials or equipment necessary for reopening or operating during social distancing
mandates.
Funds may not be utilized to pay bonuses, commissions, dividends, or salary increases.
This is a grant, not a loan, therefore repayment is not required unless funds are not
used for eligible expenses. These grants may be considered taxable income, so please
contact your financial advisor for guidance.
Resolution No. 20-40 —Attachment A Page 1 of 4
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
• City of Atlantic Beach -based and independently operated;
• Physically established within the City of Atlantic Beach;
• Home-based businesses are eligible;
• Operate within the designated eligible business categories;
• With the exception of restaurants, have a minimum of one employee, other than
the owner, and no more than 25 employees on payroll;
• Demonstrate a loss of revenue due to COVID-19;
• Demonstrate working capital for business operations as of February 28, 2020 (as
indicated in the Balance Sheet or other documentation deemed acceptable by
the City);
• Demonstrate payment of 2019 city business tax payment and 2018 Federal
Income and Property Taxes (if applicable);
• Be free of outstanding code enforcement and nuisance violations for the last 12
months, and not owe any code enforcement fines.
Eligible Business Categories
• Restaurant (includes full-service, limited -service, and cafe establishments)
• Bar
• Retail (physical brick -and -mortar establishment selling merchandise)
• Personal Service
Hair, beauty, and other personal services (salons, barbers, massage parlors,
tattoo, spas, etc.)
Personal care services (child, disabled and elderly care services, funeral
services, etc.)
Laundry services (dry cleaning, laundromats, garment repairs and alterations,
etc.)
• Cleaning services
o Pet care services
• Personal and household goods repairs and maintenance
• Fitness centers and gyms
• Event spaces and services
• Professional services
• Contractors
• Small businesses that meet all eligibility criteria but are not included on this list
may apply if proper eligibility documentation is provided.
How Do I Apply?
Please complete the Pre -Application. If your business is eligible for funding, a
representative from the City of Atlantic Beach will respond via email within five business
days with further application information. Applications will be accepted via email or U.S.
Mail.-
Resolution
ail:
Resolution No. 20-40 —Attachment A Page 2 of 4
Mail to:
Small Business Relief Grant Program
Attention: City Manager's Office
800 Seminole Road
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Or Email to:
khogencamp@coab.us
To consider applications in an equitable manner, a priority scale will be applied, to
include:
• Length of contiguous operation of the business in Atlantic Beach: Priority will be
given to businesses that have been in operation longer than newly established
businesses;
• Annual revenues: Priority will be given to businesses that report annual revenues
of less than $500,000;
• Financials: Priority will be given to businesses that can demonstrate the ability to
continue to operate for at least three months after receiving the grant;
• To ensure equity in grant distribution, in the case of multiple small businesses
owned by the same proprietor, an award will be given to only one of the applying
businesses; and
• Businesses that have received funding from other state or federal government
sources, such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or the SBA Bridge
Loan, are eligible to apply; however priority will be given to businesses that have
not received state or federal funding.
Grant applications must include the following documentation (Do not include with
Pre -application):
• State of Florida business registration from the Florida Division of Corporations
• Current W-9
• Copy of government or official identification, such as Driver's License, State ID,
school ID (with photo), voter registration, or passport. Name on ID must match
owner(s) on the W-9 or business financial documents presented
• Copy of filed 2018 business tax returns (first two pages only)
• Current City of Atlantic Beach business tax receipt/business license
Business Financials (one of the following)
• Schedule C (Sole Proprietors)
o Most recent Annual or Quarterly Balance Sheet or Profit & Loss Statement;
• Documentation of loss of income (may be already specified in business financials
provided) and comparison of bank statements (if P&L was not provided);
• Full employee list (as of January 31, 2020 and as of April 30, 2020). List must
include each employee's name, position, and hourly salary; and
If requesting rent/mortgage assistance: Copy of lease (including landlord address
and phone number, if applicable) or copy of mortgage statement (if applicable).
Resolution No. 20-40 —Attachment A Page 3 of 4
Important Dates
• October 5, 2020: Pre -application process begins;
• October 19, 2020: 5 p.m.: Pre -application process is closed;
• Pre -applications will be reviewed by staff as they are received. Eligible
businesses will be notified via email with application next steps within five
business days of receipt of the pre -application;
• October 26, 2020, by 5 p.m.: Application deadline with all supporting documents;
• Applicants will be notified of grant approval status via email by November 9,
2020;
Employees is defined as full or part-time direct employees under a W-2. May include
employees managed through a Professional Employer Organization, 1099 or
independent contractors are not included in the employee count, however, if 50% of the
business workers are 1099 independent contractors, the total number of employees
including w-2 and 1099 should not exceed 25.
Resolution No. 20-40 —Attachment A Page 4 of 4