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CC 2020-07-14_10a Supplemental No 2 MEMORANDUM TO: CITY COUNCIL FROM: BILL ROBESON, ACTING CITY MANAGER JESSICA MATSON, DEPUTY CITY CLERK SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION AGENDA ITEM 10.a. – JULY 14, 2020 CITY COUNCIL MEETING CONSIDERATION OF PLACING A LOCAL TRANSACTION AND USE TAX (“SALES TAX”) MEASURE ON THE NOVEMBER 3, 2020 BALLOT DATE: JULY 14, 2020 Attached is additional correspondence received for the above referenced item. cc: Acting City Manager City Attorney City Clerk City Website (or public review binder) From: Linda [ Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2020 1:13 PM To: Caren Ray Russom Subject: My opinion Dear Mayor Caren, For the record: I am against any tax increase, especially now for obvious reasons. Also, I am against our great PD issuing tickets or fines for not wearing masks. Thank you Linda Ostapowicz Sent from my iPhone From: Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 12:37 PM To: 'crayrussom@arroyogrande.org' Subject: Mask Fines Dear Mayor Russom; If businesses want to enforce a mask policy, it is entirely their right to do so, and my family will respect that decision. However, we do not support fines for mask wearing or enforcement by our police department. They have more important work to do. The only situation where our officers should be involved is where there is a threat to a business owner or patron because people are acting stupidly about the issue. As regards the fines, logicially, if someone is wearing a mask, another person not wearing one won't be a threat if masks operate as intended. People need to make their own decisions as to how much risk they are willing to take. Our city and county are already under a great deal of stress, we don't need the additional harrassment and resulting conflicts that would occur should a mask order pass. We would also be less inclined to shop or visit in AG due to such an ordinance. Second, given our budget problems, the Brisco interchange plan needs to be scrapped. I use that intersection often, sometimes it's a minor pain, but any minor inconvenience is certainly not worth $24 million dollars during this period of fiscal crisis. Third, on the proposed tax increase. We understand that our city is facing some major fiscal issues. However, these need to be addressed responsibly. My family will not vote for any tax increases without a defined plan on how to work our way out of our current budget crisis. Funds would have to be allocated to specific projects, and a tax sunset provision added. Sincerely, Beth and Tom Plymale From:Denise Miller-Andreini To:Caren Ray Russom; Jimmy Paulding; Keith Storton; Kristen Barneich; Lan George; public comment Subject:1% Sales and Use Tax Increase for Arroyo Grande Date:Tuesday, July 14, 2020 1:30:50 PM Importance:High Caren, I am sure that you have read this email regarding the position of the South County Chambers of Commerce. I support this position also. It is a very difficult time for small businesses even more so now over the Governors orders yesterday. I find it very unsettling that it is even going to be brought up truthfully. To do so at this time sends a message that AG City Council is insensitive to the immediate situation that has now rocked our local small businesses more importantly the restaurants. I hope that you take the time to really hear what the community has to say regarding this. There is a growing loud voice of people in our community that are very upset with this. I hear it daily from my customers and friends and now they are angry. Denise Miller-Andreini Begin forwarded message: From: Jocelyn Brennan <jocelyn@southcountychambers.com> Subject: 1% Sales and Use Tax Increase for Arroyo Grande Date: July 13, 2020 at 11:12:30 AM PDT To: Hello Arroyo Grande Businesses, The Arroyo Grande City Council will be voting this Tuesday on a 1% Sales and Use Tax increase for the November ballot. If you would like to share your thoughts, you can email the council at publiccomment@arroyogrande.org. Or you can speak during the council meeting by calling (833) 493-5844, mention you would like to speak regarding agenda item 10 A. You will have up to 3 minutes to speak. The meeting begins at 6:00 pm Tuesday, July 14th. Below is the letter from the Chamber to the Arroyo Grande Council Members, stating our opposition position and advocating for business recovery and economic development. If you have not done so already, please take this confidential survey regarding the proposed sales tax increase in Arroyo Grande. Start survey. Dear Arroyo Grande City Council, Thank you for your continued support and accessibility to the business community. We appreciate the city making arrangements for additional outdoor seating for restaurants. This will be even more valuable as SLO County is placed on the state’s monitor list and restaurants are restricted to outdoor dining for a minimum of three weeks. We are grateful for your continued partnership on the Arroyo Grande Steering Committee, Governmental Affairs, Tourism Business Improvement District, State of the City, Christmas in the Village, and candidate forum. The South County Chambers of Commerce (SCCC) exists to create partnerships and opportunities that ensure South County Businesses prosper. Our vision is that our members are the most resilient, diverse, and growing businesses in South San Luis Obispo County because of the effective stakeholder engagement and advocacy we do. Our Chamber represents 700 businesses with over 7,900 employees. Our businesses have recently experienced unbelievable and unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on business, and loss of revenue due to the stay at home order. The local businesses have complied with these restrictions and have shown extreme patience and resiliency. Arroyo Grande businesses continue to face an uncertain future. The South County Chambers 2020 Board of Directors has reviewed the Arroyo Grande proposed sales and use tax increase that you are considering at your July 14th council meeting for the November ballot. We appreciate the Acting City Manager presenting this item to our Arroyo Grande Steering Committee, and the proactive outreach by council members. We sent a survey to our local businesses and of approximately 70 responses 54% were opposed to an increase, 25% supported an increase and 21% were undecided. After careful consideration, the SCCC Board voted unanimously to oppose an increase to the Arroyo Grande sales tax. We recognize that the city budget has also been affected by the impacts of COVID-19 and agree that local streets and infrastructure are important to the business community and tourism. However, at a time when our local businesses have suffered a severe loss in revenue, are struggling to get their customer base back while complying with local and state health and safety guidelines, we concluded the time is not right to propose an increase in the sales and use tax that will directly impact local businesses bottom line. We recommend the city focus on economic development and utilize SB1090 funds (and/or a portion of sales tax funds depending on the council’s decision and then ultimately the voter’s decision). When Arroyo Grande businesses thrive, it will benefit the city budget and the resident’s quality of life. Economic development efforts are proven to stimulate private sector investment that results in the creation of private- sector jobs and improvement in the local tax base. In particular, business retention will be more important than ever. Below is a suggested framework of programs. The Chamber will be committed to supporting and assisting with these efforts or to implement them in partnership with the city, including a development and review panel. 1. Low-interest Loans: Available to businesses for rent, purchasing land, refurbishing buildings, and new equipment. 2. Business Beautification Grants: Grant funding for business infrastructure and/or beautification projects that enhances the appearance and wayfinding of the city business corridors. 3. Workforce Training: Training provided for the workforce to businesses and industries impacted by COVID-19, allowing them to remain competitive. Training on health and safety best practices and compliance, and online sales. 4. Technology Grants: One-time grant funding for businesses to upgrade or purchase technology for business operations. 5. Fee Credits: City fee credits for businesses, encouraging business retention and expansion. Fees are based on the number of local jobs added and/or retained. Please join us in supporting our local businesses and setting them up for a successful recovery. Respectfully, 2020 South County Chambers Board of Directors This email was sent on behalf of the South County Chambers of Commerce by GrowthZone, 4837 County Road 77, Nisswa, MN 56468.To unsubscribe click here. If you have questions or comments concerning this email or GrowthZone services in general, please contact us by email at support@growthzone.com. Links contained in this email have been replaced. If you click on a link in the email above, the link will be analyzed for known threats. If a known threat is found, you will not be able to proceed to the destination. If suspicious content is detected, you will see a warning. From:Brent Inglehart To:public comment Subject:Mask fines and Sales Tax increase Date:Tuesday, July 14, 2020 1:03:22 PM Mayor and Fellow Council Members, I am a new Arroyo Grande resident, but I have been a 5-Cities resident for 16 years. I was disheartened to read that you are discussing fines and penalties for citizens not wearing masks. I do not believe the data, and medical science, of face coverings is so compelling to lead a community to penalize people financially for not complying with what is deemed a "recommendation" by the CDC. Most people do not know how to wear a mask properly as it is. Also, they cannot keep it sterile and sanitary by the way they store and remove it. Children have a hard time wearing a mask for a variety of reasons and people with underlying health issues cannot wear a mask for proper breathing. At what point are we going to say no to the State and Local Authorities taking away our inalienable rights. Why are you making the police and code enforcement be the bad guys in enforcing this mask law? They have better things to do and their efforts need to be focused on larger endeavors. People are already stressed, not working, getting their bills piled up while also mentally exhausted from all the restrictions and societal issues on a daily basis. So... let's ticket people and use taxpayer dollars to then ask the now ticketed taxpayer to make up the lost revenue by raising taxes. Sounds totally reasonable! (sarcasm) I am sorry, but your rationale is lunacy. I am against any additional restrictions of our freedoms and rights to operate within a free society. I am against any new taxes to pay for the budget shortage you caused by pandering to the Governor's Office. Open the businesses and stop restricting life. Globally, there were 1.5 million deaths from TB last year. We sure had a ton of mask enforcement last year?! Also, the H1N1 deaths in 2009 were around 237,000- 250,000 (est). Again, masks and an economy shutdown were not activated. We have had 5 deaths in SLO County. More people die in DUI crashes and shark attacks each year. The COVID numbers are up because the testing is up. Also, can we be real? How many people traveled up and down the state into the various counties for the rallies and protests? Masks were not worn by a majority of the crowds. How come there are rules for some people and then we look away for other people. The COVID data does not support the closure of our community. I urge you all to be leaders. Our local economy, and people's livelihoods, may not not survive another major shutdown. Burdening your community with making up the revenue loss is not right. Your decisions could affect generations of Arroyo Grande families. What makes our community great is our ability to thrive in tough times, so what will you do? Add to the stress and financial burden or dial back CIP projects and non-priority services. Brent Arroyo Grande Resident From:Collette Eells To:public comment Subject:Proposed Sales Tax Increase Date:Tuesday, July 14, 2020 12:20:48 PM Regarding item 10.a. on the July 14, 2020 City Council Agenda: Consideration Of Placing A Local Transaction And Use Tax (“Sales Tax”) Measure On The November 3, 2020 Ballot Regarding the proposed Sales Tax Increase of 1% from 7.75% to 8.75% to be placed on the November ballot. Taking into account the impact on the economy from the COVID-19 virus, it is understandable that the city is experiencing a much greater shortfall than initially expected. However considering the county unemployment rate of greater than 12%, a sales tax increase of 1% is much, much too extreme for residents of this city. It is expected that the unemployment rate will remain exceptionally high 2-5 years out. Businesses are already hurting and this significant of an increase, no doubt, will further impact their downside. Considering so many residents are barely making ends meet, if at all, this would be just one more tribulation for our residents during this time of health and economic distress… which has no end in sight. I urge the council to consider a lesser sales tax increase of at most 0.25%. Then look to make up the difference of the city’s monetary shortfall in obtaining it from non- residents by way of an increase of the Transient Occupancy Tax. Thank you for your kind consideration. Collette Eells Arroyo Grande From:shannon To:public comment Subject:Mask penalties and increase in tax Date:Tuesday, July 14, 2020 9:35:45 AM Dear Arroyo Grande Council, I urge you to not vote on a penalty for those who do not wear a mask-there is little scientific evidence that a cloth mask can stop a virus aerosol since they are much, much smaller than the holes in even an N95 mask. While they stop most of the droplets from sneezing and coughing they still let the aersols through! The only way to keep it from spreading is to keep those with Covid who are coughing and sneezing out of the public. Masking healthy people does nothing except hurt the lungs of those healthy people. When I am out shopping 99% of the people are wearing masks already, why would we waste resources on the few people who probably have a medical exemption for not wearing a mask anyways. I am one of the people who cannot wear a mask do to a medical condition that masks exacerbate and if this gets passed I will not be shopping in Arroyo Grande anyone. I don't want the hassle or embarrassment of someone reporting me because I have a medical condition-are you serious! Think about that-what a waste in resources! Not to mention it opens the city up to law suits if you are continually hassling people who have a medical condition-it is a form of discrimination! Would you go around citing people with any other disability unless they prove their medical condition? No, you can't because there are laws against that! I also urge you to vote to increase the sales tax-our community is hurting already increasing the tax will just encourage people to shop in the neighboring cities. Thank you for your time, Shannon Riddering From:Robert Kelly To:public comment Subject:1% Sales Tax Date:Monday, July 13, 2020 10:28:50 PM I am strongly against a 1% sales tax increase. We are already paying among the highest state taxes and gasoline taxes in the US. Grow revenue through sales growth and economic development, don’t just raise tax rates, please. Rob Kelly Arroyo Grande, CA Sent from my iPhone From:Cindy & George Hansen To:public comment Subject:July 14, 2020 Agenda Item: Sales Tax Increase Date:Monday, July 13, 2020 9:15:29 PM Arroyo Grande City Council Members: RE: Proposed Sales Tax Increase of 1% I support a time certain sales tax increase of 1% for two years to offset potential losses related to the coronavirus. After two years the City can make its case again if the situation warrants. Thank you. Cindy Hansen Arroyo Grande, CA wrote: Dear Mayor and Arroyo Grande Council Members, You should all start balancing your budget by returning the money you stole by voting in your own stipends. Everyone in Arroyo Grande should have tarred and feathered you for raping our budget. Changing this rule should be the first order of business-pay for performance only! If you are raising taxes, none of you performed. You have already shown us your colors, Ms. Russom, by using public funds for frivolous personal use. Oh, that is right, you told me earlier this year that you lied about spending that money yourself to cover up for another council member who brazenly committed the crime. Corrupt officials feeding from the public trough are disgusting and must be stopped. Who in their right mind would pay $18.00 for a shot of whiskey with their own money let alone public funds? Someone who has no sense of a hard earned dollar and staying on a budget which seems to be the accepted attitude from government officials in California. I suggest you trim the budget, starting with yourselves, your pay, and those benefits most of us do not have. Then, perhaps, cut funding for all the travel for useless fact finding/training trips where most of the corruption starts. Stop depending on the citizens of this city to bail you out by raising more taxes to cover unnecessary spending. If you do not have the ability, will, or financial background to do it, get out. Time to get new leadership, and not attract any more YOUNG, inexperienced people to this office. Michele Norwood On Jul 13, 2020, at 7:05 PM, MICHELE NORWOOD <