HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/20/2020 Item 11, Kern
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Molly Kern <
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:Johnson, Derek; Jim Dantona; Johnson, Lee; Hermann, Greg
Subject:Item 11 on tonight's agenda
Attachments:City Budget- SLO Chamber.docx (1).pdf
Dear Mayor Harmon and Council Members,
I hope this email finds you safe and healthy.
Attached, please find a letter on behalf of the SLO Chamber regarding item 11 on tonight's agenda - specifically the
correspondence submitted by City Manager Johnson earlier today. We look forward to answering any questions you
might have and further discussing this important issue.
Thank you for your consideration,
Molly
Molly Kern
Director of Governmental Affairs
San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce
T: 805.786.2763 C: 805.440.3941
slochamber.org | imagineslo.com
COVID-19 | Resources for Businesses
1
October 20, 2020
City Council
City of San Luis Obispo, 990 Palm St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Dear Mayor Harmon and Council Members,
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the support and quick adaptations the City has
undertaken to support businesses during the pandemic. We know that the fiscal health of the City is
essential to the wellbeing of our local businesses and that continued support for local businesses will in
turn support the health of our City and benefit all residents.
We have heard time and time again that a number of the pilot programs you have enacted are working
to keep businesses afloat and compliant with stringent State regulations. We encourage you to consider
expanding, adapting as weather changes, or making permanent programs including:
●Parklets
●Tenant Improvement Program
●Business Grant Program
●Landlord tenant rental dispute mediation partnership with Creative Mediation
●Investments in pedestrian and bike friendly infrastructure
●Parking changes
●Forthcoming public art projects
Additionally, through the work of our committees and Board, we propose that the City explore
additional ways to support local businesses immediately and pave the way for long term success.
Actions such as:
●Incentives to fill downtown storefronts
●Infrastructure to support remote work and distance learning
●Homelessness prevention programs
●Bike share
●Zoning flexibility to allow more uses for street level retail
This is undoubtedly a challenging time for us all and, as we work to navigate through these
circumstances as judiciously and gracefully as possible, trust, collaboration and shared goals are more
important than ever. We look forward to partnering with the City to explore these ideas, ensure that the
business community is engaged and help provide feedback whether that is through surveys, digital
events or setting up more personal conversations with industry leaders.
Once again, thank you for your leadership and support of local businesses.
Sincerely,
Jim Dantona
President/CEO, San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce