CC 2020-10-13_11b Supplemental No 1
MEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: WHITNEY MCDONALD, CITY MANAGER
JESSICA MATSON, DEPUTY CITY CLERK
SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
AGENDA ITEM 11.b – OCTOBER 13, 2020 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CONSIDERATION OF AN UPDATE ON CARES ACT 2020 FUNDING
AND DIRECTION AND AUTHORIZATION ON THE USE OF THOSE
FUNDS
DATE: OCTOBER 13, 2020
Attached is correspondence received by 4 PM today for the above referenced item.
cc: City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
City Website (or public review binder)
From: pc <
Date: October 9, 2020 at 12:08:36 PM PDT
To: Kristen Barneich <kbarneich@arroyogrande.org>, Caren Ray Russom
<crayrussom@arroyogrande.org>, Jimmy Paulding
<jpaulding@arroyogrande.org>, Lan George <lgeorge@arroyogrande.org>, Keith
Storton <kstorton@arroyogrande.org>
Subject: cares act money
Reply-To: <
Hello all,
I am opposed to spending money on Christmas lights at this time. The pandemic
is not over, we don't know how hard the winter is going to get andwhere
unexpected cost could arise from this deadly disease.
Once again it seems we care more about the businesses in the village, and forget
that other areas of this town could use some attention being paid to them mostly
in these trying times.
Christmas lights are nice and I wish we would take them off on January 1 instead
of waiting till spring, but that is beside the point. Save the money and use it to
truly help a business, I feel the lights are more for some council members to enjoy
and I don't think that is what the cares act was meant for.
I find it insulting that you would even consider spending money for lights in the
village, when so many are suffering and going hungry because of this pandemic.
Patty Welsh
From: Janice Reid <
Date: October 9, 2020 at 3:11:31 PM PDT
To: Caren Ray Russom <crayrussom@arroyogrande.org>, Kristen Barneich
<kbarneich@arroyogrande.org>, Keith Storton <kstorton@arroyogrande.org>,
Jimmy Paulding <jpaulding@arroyogrande.org>, Lan George
<lgeorge@arroyogrande.org>
Subject: CARES spending
Reply-To: Janice Reid <
Hello,
I just read the section on CARES spending. First thing I noticed is the $50,000 for plexiglas
in city offices. That seems excessive to me and maybe more clarity might explain that high
cost. Plexiglas is going up everywhere. Such a high price makes me question other parts
of the budget as well.
I also question using that money for safety personnel is not directly related to Covid. PPE,
however, would be. Again $23K sounds expensive. Is there a way to see receipts and a
breakdown of these expenses.
We are not a wealthy town. I think a big part of that is how frivolously the town spends
money. I thought 63K for the plans for the Housing Element excessive. The $24K for the
professional survey on raising sales tax was a waste of money. That issue would have not
cost that much had it gone directly to the people on this ballot.
Please correct me if I’m wrong. The people in the community who are interested in how
you spend money should be able to get details easily; otherwise you guys look like
manipulators, thereby increasing our distrust.
Transparency is key.
Thank you,
Janice Reid
From:Jocelyn Brennan
To:Caren Ray Russom; Keith Storton; Jimmy Paulding; Kristen Barneich; Lan George
Cc:Kelly Wetmore; Kendra Reynolds; Jessica Matson; Bill Robeson; Whitney McDonald
Subject:Agenda Item 11 B
Date:Tuesday, October 13, 2020 7:40:09 AM
Attachments:SCCC re 11 b .pdf
Dear Arroyo Grande City Council,
Please see the letter attached regarding item 11 b on tonight's agenda.
Upcoming Chamber Online Events
Opportunities to get involved and stay connected:
October 15th Arroyo Grande Business Meeting (Zoom meeting), 8:30 to 9:30 am — RSVP here to receive the login
October 20th Membership Coffee (Zoom meeting), 9 to 10 am — RSVP here to receive the login
October 23rd Governmental Affairs Meeting (Zoom meeting), 8 to 9:15 am — RSVP here to receive the login
Jocelyn Brennan
President l CEO
South County Chambers of Commerce
Cell/Text (805) 748-7630 Office (805) 489-1488
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October 13, 2020
Re: 11 b
Dear Arroyo Grande City Council,
The Chamber is proud to represent the Arroyo Grande business community for 63 years.
Our Chamber was originally formed as the Arroyo Grande Valley Chamber of Commerce
in 1957. The Arroyo Grande businesses in our membership represent an approximate
workforce of 5,150 employees. Our mission is to create partnership and opportunities to
ensure businesses prosper.
Now more than ever we are committed to being an effective advocate for Arroyo Grande
businesses. On behalf of our Board of Directors and business members, thank you for
considering the business and community service grants to help support our struggling
businesses and nonprofits. We offer our assistance with implementing these programs.
Furthermore, we respectfully ask for your approval of CARES Act funds for the Christmas
lights in the village. There is a small portion of funding allocated from previous years
Strawberry Festivals and private donations. However, it will not be enough to cover the
costs. It is the Chamber’s position that the lighting creates foot traffic for the village
businesses during the key holiday shopping season.
To further help support the village businesses the Chamber is organizing the Elegant
Christmas in the Village Weekend December 5th and 6th and the lights will be an important
part of promoting this holiday shopping promotion.
The Chamber is grateful for the opportunity to work collaboratively with elected leaders,
city staff and the private sector in our community on these critical efforts and we look
forward to your feedback and support.
Sincerely,
Jocelyn Brennan, President & CEO
Tony Goetz, 2020 Chairperson