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Home My WebLink About02/01/2023 Item 4a, Melendrez - Staff Agenda CorrespondenceCity of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum City of San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission Staff Agenda Correspondence DATE: January 31, 2023 TO: Chair and Commissioners FROM: Matthew Melendrez, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Management Fellow SUBJECT: ITEM 4a. APPROVE THE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION BUSINESS GRANT WORKPLAN Staff is providing the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion SLO Business Grant Workplan and the DEI Business Grant Application for review by the Human Relations Commission. ATTACHMENTS A - DEI Business Grant Project Plan B - DEI Business Grant Application Project Plan Project Title : DEI/ED Grant Project BACKGROUND In 2021 the City established a Major City Goal for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This goal outlines the City’s commitment to making San Luis Obispo a more welcoming and inclusive city for all, continue to develop programs and policies to support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and advance the recommendations of the DEI Task Force. Additionally, the City’s Major City goal on Economic Recovery, Resiliency and Fiscal Responsibility outlines the City effort to support a thriving local economy b y supporting local businesses, arts and culture, downtown vitality, practicing fiscal responsibility, and investing in critical infrastructure. Within both MCG workplan there is a shared charge for t he office of DEI and Economic Development to research, explore and utilize innovative practices such as micro-loans, targeted sector recruiting and promotion, City facilitated lending, grants, private support, and crowdfunding to support businesses owned by or serving underserved/underrepresented communities. The City will also leverage its partner network, including the Chamber, Downtown SLO, REACH and others to support the DEI initiatives as they relate to economic development including creation, retention and attraction efforts. Project Scope & Approach & Deliverables The Human Relations Commission would serve as the advisory body that would manage the selection process for the grant program. They would form a subcommittee of reviewers and provide funding recommendation to be approved by the HRC followed by City Council. Staff would provide the logi stical support for launching the grant program and intaking grant applications. Grants from $2,500 to $25,000 will be awarded for businesses to better serve underserved/underrepresented communities in the City of SLO. Examples of possible funding requests: 1. $3,500 to translate and print new menus to enhance accessibility and/or provide multilingual options 2. $2,500 to subsidize the service fee for a desk space in a co-working space available to a member of an underserved community 3. $2,500 additional training for an esthetician to expand skincare techniques for diverse clientele 4. $5,000 to add an additional hair stylist who specializes in diverse hair textures and protective hairstyles (e.g., braids, locks, twists). This would include funding for marketing, initial product inventory and to subsidize the stylist for up to 3 months 5. $5,000 to add a new chef and/or menu for a diverse cultural cuisine that would add to culinary diversity of the community and enhance the experience of all residents as well underse rved/underrepresented communities at an existing restaurant. PURPOSE Establish a one-time $150,000 economic development grant program through the HRC to meet the direction given by the City Council in the DEI and ERR&FS Major City Goals. The HRC will be supported by the Offices of DEI and Economic Development in the develop ment and execution of this program. 6. $20,000 to help start a new business that meets the needs of historically marginalized populations within the community. (Would require the completion of the 5-hour Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) consulting program) Funding Criteria: • Applicants must be a business based in the City of San Luis Obispo with a current business license and be in good standing or be willing to complete 5 hours of one-on-one SBDC consulting services and then secure a business license. • Funding requests must be for activities, services, or other concepts that primarily occur in the City. • Funding requests must be focused on serving underserved/underrepresented communities. • Requests must be for activities, services, or other concepts with the ability to show measurable impact and/or successes. • Viability and sustainability are also key indicators in final review and recommendation. Supporting Reasoning: This proposal enables the City to leverage the knowledge, expertise, dedication and credibility of the HRC in establishing a grant program to aid in the City’s goal of coordinating both DEI and Economic Development to help increase diversity and economic activity. By focusing on serving underserved/underrepresented communities we increase the sensing of belong and welcoming atmosphere of the City of SLO while avoiding the complication of ownership-based programs. PROJECT ASSUMPTIONS • The is a current need within the community for a grant program that supports diverse business owners and business models that serve historically underrepresented communities in San Luis Obispo. • The City has the staffing capacity to support the logistical operations of a new grant program . • The City has the financial resources to create the needed support efforts for staff moving forward. • The HRC has the capacity and motivation to support the grant selection process. PROJECT CONSTRAINTS Unplanned issues, projects, or assignments could divert staff time away from this project, which could cause project delays. The successful hiring and onboarding of a new DEI manager could also cause delays in project execution. PROJECT ORGANIZATION AND TEAM Project Manager: Lee Johnson, Economic Deve lopment Manager Project Sponsor: Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager Project Advisor: DEI Manager & Matthew Melendrez, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Manage ment Fellow STAKEHOLDERS External – Partner organizations and nonprofits; d iverse community groups who already participate in City programs, policy discussions, projects, and services; diverse community groups who do not currently participate in City programs, policy discussions, projects, and services. Internal – City leadership team, managers, and supervisors; City administrative support staff; City Council; Human Relations Commission PROJECT TASKS AND SCHEDULE Task Who When Supervisor Sign Off: Date: 1. Develop the proposal for the HRC including purposes, program, funding criteria as well as the sub-committee and schedule. DEI Analyst/ED Manager December 12th, 2022 2. Attend HRC Meeting and facilitate study session for Commissioners DEI Analyst/ED Manager January 4th, 2023 3. Present proposal to the HRC and secure sign-off/approval of the purposes, program, funding criteria as well as the sub -committee and schedule. New DEI Manager and DEI Analyst w/ED&T support February 1st 2023 4. Grant Application Period New DEI manager/DEI staff March-April 1st 5. HRC Subcommittee Review and selection Matthew M April 6. HRC review final funding recommendations Matthew M. May 3rd 2023 7. City Council approve final funding recommendations New DEI Manager June 6th or June 20th 2023 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion SLO Business Grant 2023-24 DEI SLO Business Grant Application BUSINESS INFORMATION BUSINESS*: PROJECT/PROGRAM NAME: DATE BUSINESS ESTABLISHED: BUSINESS LICENSE NUMBER: WEBSITE: ADDRESS: *If you are not currently a business, you must be willing to participate in 5 hours of one-on- one coaching with the Small Business Development Center and secure a business license. (check box – required) _____ CONTACT INFORMATION (This person will receive notifications regarding grant decisions, contract execution, and reporting requirements) BUSINESS CONTACT: PHONE: E-MAIL ADDRESS: WHO PREPARED THIS APPLICATION (if different than above): PHONE: GRANT REQUEST INFORMATION 1. Which of the below best describes your business proposal reflected in this application: Service; product; experience; promotion; other: explain (check one) 2. Provide an executive summary of the proposal (max 200 words). 3. Is this proposal for a new program, or continuation of an existing program? 4. Requested Amount: 5. What percentage of the funding needed will this grant cover? 6. How will this proposal benefit underrepresented and/or underserved communities in the City of SLO? 7. How will your business pursue diversity, equity, and inclusion beyond this project? 8. Briefly describe 1-3 methods of evaluation with indicators of success for your proposal. Signature: I certify that the information contained in this application is, to the best of my knowledge, true and accurate; that my business subscribes to the Human Relations Commission’s “Statement of Purpose and Bylaws” which creates an environment within the City in which all persons can enjoy equal rights and opportunities regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, physical, mental or economic status; and that this application is submitted with the full knowledge and endorsement of the business and that I am authorized submit the application on behalf of the business. Signature Date Attachments: • Full proposal / business plan including financials, and other relevant information Business License (if applicable)