Title
Recommendation for the Mayor's Economic Development Advisory Panel to Review and Approve the Economic Recovery Plan and Recommend Approval of the Plan to the City Council
Body
To: Members of the Mayor's Economic Development Advisory Panel
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In July 2018, the City Council adopted the Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP). The Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) that is before you tonight supplements the EDSP by specifically addressing the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on Alameda's economy. Since the onset of the pandemic, staff and City Council have worked on a number of initiatives to diminish the impact of the crisis in Alameda. The ERP sets forth additional strategies to further mitigate these impacts. Following the Economic Development Advisory Panel's (EDAP) review of the ERP and this report, staff recommends that EDAP approve the ERP and recommend approval of the plan to the City Council.
BACKGROUND
The global COVID-19 pandemic has prompted widespread public health and shelter-in-place restrictions, resulting in a sudden economic recession with unprecedented increases in unemployment and business closures.
In the initial weeks and months of the shelter-in-place, staff and City Council worked to implement a number of immediate actions to help local businesses, including:
* Creation of the Commercial Streets Program that included re-striping Park and Webster Streets and implementing a streamlined permitting process for parklets and large al fresco dining areas.
* Creation of emergency zoning changes: for example, to extend business hours for food related services and to make curbside pickup easier.
* Communication of key information and resources through the City's website, a webinar series and regular town hall meetings.
* Creation of a consumer-facing website to share information about restaurants, retail, and other open businesses in Alameda.
* Award of 74 emergency grants for up to $7,500 to retailers, restaurants, and oth...
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