Submitted By
Cara Pavlicek, Village Manager
Reviewed By
LKS
Agenda Item Title
Title
Report and Recommendations from the Oak Park Business Recovery Task Force
End
Overview
Overview
The Business Recovery Task Force is meeting on November 12, 2020 and report on that meeting will be presented which may include additional recommendations.
End
Recommendation
Recommendation
Discussion of the recommendations and provide staff direction if necessary.
Fiscal Impact
N/A.
Background
As discussed at the May 4, 2020 meeting of the Village Board, the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation was identified to host an Oak Park Business Recovery Task Force chaired by Village Trustee Deno Andrews. On May 18, 2020, the Village Board reviewed the first set of recommendations from the Business Recovery Task Force.
Following the May 4, 2020 Village Board meeting, the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation hosted a series of meetings of the Oak Park Business Recovery Task Force which is comprised of the following members of the community:
Chair, Deno Andrews, Village Board of Trustees
Simone Boutet, Village Board of Trustees
Mike Fox, Owner R.P. Fox & Associates
Christian Harris, Owner MaidPro Oak Park
Liz Holt, Executive Director Oak Park & River Forest Chamber of Commerce
John Lynch, Executive Director Oak Park Economic Development Corporation
Andre Otero, Co-Owner Mulata Kitchen & Coffee
Michelle Vanderlaan, Owner Sugarcup Trading, & 16 Suitcases
Cory Wesley, President TekVoyant, Inc.
Sam Yousif, Practice Manager Fuller Health Group
Oak Park Village Staff - various
On May 18, 2020, the Village Board reviewed the first set of recommendations presented by the Task Force for Village Board consideration. As part of that meeting, staff has also attached a document which provided additional information pertaining to each request.
The recommendations and Board actions were as follows:
1. Parking recommendation related to creation of a mix of parking solutions related to curbside pickup and relaxation of parking restrictions. The Board supported staff recommendation was to follow the Governor’s order related to the promotion of curbside pickup. Staff set up a series of curbside parking locations throughout the Village near restaurants.
2. Use of the right of way for outdoor dining. The Board supported the use of parking spaces for out door dining. On May 28, 2020, the Village Board approved an ordinance waiving the outdoor licensing fees and authorized the Village Manager to enter into licensing agreements for non-sidewalk areas to expand outdoor dining options. Staff approved a total of 49 outdoor dining locations; 22 on-street locations and 27 sidewalk and off-street locations. The total fees waived were $7500.
3. Closure of certain streets to allow for more flexible use of Village streets. The Board referred this matter to the Transportation Commission. On July 6, 2020, the Village Board approved a Motion to concur with the Transportation Commission’s recommendation to adopt a slow streets pilot program located on the street’s bounded by Van Buren Street, Kenilworth Avenue, Thomas Street and Harvey Avenue. On July 20, 2020, the Village Board adopted the Slow Streets Pilot Program ordinance and approved an agreement with Barricade Lites, Inc. for the rental of traffic control equipment in the amount of $40,000.
4. Deferral or waiver of Business licenses. The Board requested staff to bring back recommendations. On June 1, 2020, the Board adopted an ordinance waiving and suspending business licenses for businesses closed due to the pandemic. The total of business license fees waived was $50,000. Also, on June 1, 2020, the Board adopted an ordinance waiving and suspending a portion of the liquor license fees for non-package Class C liquor licenses. The total of liquor licenses fees discounted totaled $62,000.
5. Loan Guarantee Program. The Board discussed using CDBG Funds to help small businesses. On June 22, 2020, the Board adopted a resolution creating a Small Business loan program using CDBG CV CARES act funds in the amount of $300,000. Additionally, on October 5, 2020, the Board allocated an additional $250,000 of CDBG CV CARES act funds to the Small Business Loan program. The Board also discussed having the staff apply for a revolving loan program through the Federal program. Staff did research these grant opportunities and determined that a Village program would not be competitive. Staff has focused on the implementation of the CDBG program.
6. Social media advertising. The Board decided to not pursue this item.
7. Procurement of PPE - Staff reported to the Village Board that based upon existing supply chains and prohibitions on municipal purchase/resale of certain PPE the Village could not provide bulk purchasing. The Village has, via the Public Health Department, issued nearly 12,000 pieces of PPE to more than 300 businesses various industries since the start of the pandemic and this distribution is ongoing.
8. Funding of a chamber employee. The Board did not have consensus on this item.
9. Boost consumer confidence with a series of videos. The Board supported this recommendation. The Village has produced videos on Curbside pickup and Farmers Market.
10. Host a website. The Board agreed that a website would not be the best use of resources.
Alternatives
The Village Board may wish to provide direction or seek additional.
Previous Board Action
On May 18, 2020, the Village Board accepted the first set of Oak Park Business Recovery Task Force Recommendations.
At the May 4, 2020 meeting of the Village Board, the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation was identified to host an Oak Park Business Recovery Task Force chaired by Village Trustee Deno Andrews. The Business Recovery Task Force has developed a series of recommendations for Village Board consideration.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
N/A.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A.