HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - July 21, 2020 B-01 SMAgenda Item
CITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
TM
AGENDA TITLE: Provide Direction on COVID-19 Response for Economic Development by
Offering No Cost Permitting Options for Certain Outdoor Business
Operations Allowed Under Current Health Orders
MEETING DATE: July 21, 2020
PREPARED BY: City Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION Provide direction on COVID-19 response for economic development
by offering no cost permitting options for certain outdoor business
operations allowed under current health orders.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Effective July 13, 2020, the California Department of Health issued
a new order pertaining to all counties within the state and orders
specific to counties on the County Monitoring List. San Joaquin
County is on the County Monitoring List. The County of San Joaquin Public Health Officer followed suite
issuing a modified stay-at-home order. The orders prevent certain industries and activities from operating
indoors for a minimum of three weeks. These include gyms and fitness centers, places of worship, and
restaurants. Also included are protests, offices for non-critical infrastructure sectors, personal care
services, hair salons and barbershops, and malls. Businesses with outdoor space available are
permitted to utilize that space to conduct operations with limitations. Limitations include, but are not
limited to, the use of face coverings and social distancing requirements as further outlined in both State
and County Public Health Orders, as well as State Guidelines. The exception, are barbering,
cosmetology, and electrolysis services which are subject to licensing with the Barbering & Cosmetology
Board and are required to be performed in a licensed establishment (Bus & Prof Code §7317). For the
businesses that can operate outdoors, in most cases the only available space is private parking lots,
public right-of-ways, or potentially City parks.
Based on previous restrictions placed on indoor dining, the City Council authorized a no cost permit
program for outdoor dining. This process allows business owners to apply at no cost for a permit to
encroach in either a private parking lot, or in certain locations, into the public right of way. The City is
funding certain safety equipment to facilitate the outdoor operations for these businesses in an effort to
keep the economy in Lodi strong.
Staff is seeking direction from the City Council on a possible expansion of this COVID-19 related
economic development program. Staff needs answers to the following questions and specific direction
on the scope of each proposed program should Council desire to offer these programs.
All of the questions pertain to gyms and fitness centers, places of worship, and personal care services,
excluding barbering, cosmetology, and electrolysis, which as discussed above can only be performed in
a licensed establishment.
APPROVED
Stephen Schwabauer,City Manager
Provide Direction on COVID-19 Response for Economic Development by Offering No Cost Permitting Options for Certain
Outdoor Business Operations Allowed Under Current Health Orders
July 21, 2020
Page 2
1.) Should the City offer a no cost permit program for businesses to operate outdoors in
private parking lots?
2.) Should the City consider a program similar to the downtown outdoor dining program in
other locations when it is feasible for these businesses to utilize public right-of-way?
3.) Since some businesses may not be able to use private parking or immediately adjacent
rights-of-way, should the City consider a no cost permit process for use of City parks?
City staff has begun to field a substantial amount of questions on these issues, including one request
from a faith based organization to conduct activities in a park near to their main point of operation. Staff
is seeking direction from Council as how to operate under the newly revised health orders in our
continuing effort to support Lodi businesses.
FISCAL IMPACT: Depending on the scope for the program permitted, the City may incur
costs. Costs for economic development programs to respond to COVID
are eligible uses of the CARES Act funding authorized by the State. Other
potential uses of those funds are Public Safety response, including salaries and benefits. Approving any
program acknowledges the City will be funding it from the approximately $838,000 in CARES Act funding
not included in the FY 2020/21 budget. Revenue losses incurred because of no cost permitting cannot
be made up through any outside grant source.
FUNDING AVAILABLE: CARES Act funding.
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Stephen S wabauer
D K City Ma ager