Number
200978
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
200660
Sponsor
ALD. LEWIS
Title
Substitute resolution directing the Department of Administration - Community Development Grants Administration to use Community Development Block Grant - CARES funding for a small business start-up fund, education assistance to parents, internet access to senior citizens, and quarantine pay for workers.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of Administration - Community Development Grants Administration to use Community Development Block Grant - CARES funding for the following purposes:
1. Development of a small business start-up fund to assist start-up businesses to become COVID-compliant by purchasing personal protective equipment, safety barriers and shields, and other mitigating measures.
2. Stipends for parents, guardians, and caregivers to assist with educational expenses with proof of the children’s enrollment and attendance.
3. Stipends for senior citizens to obtain access to internet service with proof of no internet service.
4. Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) benefits for the 2020-2021 school year for children eligible for free and reduced price school meals through the National School Lunch Program.
Body
Whereas, On October 13, 2020, the Common Council passed Resolution File Number 200660, authorizing the Department of Administration’s Community Development Grants Administration (CDGA) to accept and fund the year 2020 State of Wisconsin Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) (Pub. L. No. 116-136) for Emergency Solutions Grant-CV; and
Whereas, The Federal government has specified the uses for CARES Act funds; and
Whereas, The Department of City Development administers the Milwaukee Restart Program (Restart); and
Whereas, The goal of Restart is to help local businesses that suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic recover economically with safe practices to reopen and adapt to life in the age of the coronavirus pandemic; and
Whereas, Restart 2.0 is an update of the first round of Restart and will focus on the importance of businesses continuing to operate under the Moving Milwaukee Forward Safely Order and implementing restaurant and bar COVID-19 safety plans; and
Whereas, Home-based businesses are eligible; and
Whereas, Many residents have suffered a loss of employment due to the pandemic; and
Whereas, Many who have become unemployed now have an opportunity to start up a small business of their own; and
Whereas, Start-up businesses face additional challenges due to the pandemic; and
Whereas, Parents, guardians, and caregivers face additional expenses for their children attending virtual school as a result of school closings due to the pandemic; and
Whereas, Senior citizens with internet access may alleviate some of the loneliness and depression resulting from the inability to see their loved ones due to social distancing and pandemic safety measures; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Administration - Community Development Grants Administration is directed to use Community Development Block Grant - CARES funding for the following purposes:
1. Development of a small business start-up fund which shall be used to assist start-up businesses become COVID-compliant by purchasing personal protective equipment, safety barriers and shields, and other mitigating measures.
2. Stipends for parents, guardians, and caregivers to assist with educational expenses with proof of the children’s enrollment and attendance.
3. Stipends for senior citizens to obtain access to internet service with proof of no internet service.
4. Pandemic EBT benefits for the 2020-2021 school year for children eligible for free and reduced price school meals through the National School Lunch Program.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB 176403-3
Tea B. Norfolk
11/23/2020