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City Council Minutes - 04/07/2020 ■ Cit o(Tigard Tigard City Council Meeting Minutes TiGARW April 7, 2020 161, 1. Note: This Meeting was held remotely with staff and council remoting in to Town Hall through Microsoft Teams. IT Manager Nolop and City Recorder Krager were present in Town Hall. 1. BUSINESS MEETING A. At 6:31 p.m. Mayor Snider called the City Council meeting to order. B. City Recorder Krager called the roll. Present (virtually) Absent Council President Goodhouse ✓ Councilor Newton ✓ Councilor Lueb ✓ Councilor Anderson ✓ Mayor Snider ✓ Youth Councilor Turley ✓ C. Mayor Snider asked everyone to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance. D. Call to Council and Staff for Non-Agenda Items—City Manager Wine said there would be a discussion at the end of the meeting to give direction to staff on other actions Council may wish to take related to the City's COVID-19 response. 2. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION FOR FY 2020 SPECIAL BUDGET SUPPLEMENTAL FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE Senior Management Analyst Kang introduced this agenda item for a FY 2020 Budget Supplemental that supports two programs responding to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency with economic assistance. The special budget supplemental has two parts; one for small business assistance and another for a houseless assistance program. Economic Development Manager Purdy reported on the Tigard CARES (Commercial Assistance & Relief for Economic Stability) program. On March 20,Mayor Snider encouraged staff to create a Tigard business assistance program that would be bold and impactful. Staff created a program with fiscal goals in mind that would have no duplication, be equitable, and include financial decision making. City funding of$300,000 will be leveraged to $1,000,000 and awarded through three financial tools: small grants of$1,500,micro-loans of$500 and up, and$10,000-$50,000 low interest loans. Mr. Purdy said they faced some hard realities in developing this program. The most vulnerable business people in Tigard have limited access to traditional banks and the massive amount of TIGARD CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -April 7, 2020 City of Tigard 1 13125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard, OR 97223 www.tigard-or.gov I Page 1 of 7 federal relief dollars. Staff decided the best thing the City could do with its scarce funds was to leverage funding through relationships with CDFIs (Community Development Financial Institutions) Craft3 and MESO (Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon), to deliver a combination of micro-loans,loans,grants and business advising services in order to support underserved entrepreneurs unable to benefit from federal and state programs. There have been 320 requests for support submitted thus far. Applicant businesses range from fitness studios to restaurants. Grants will be awarded next week and are meant to be more than a helpful cash handout;but are designed to assist in the economic recovery of businesses that might not have made it through the public health emergency. Library Director Bernard described a proposal to ease the burden of the most vulnerable during the pandemic,neighbors experiencing homelessness. She said Just Compassion and the Good Neighbor Center are doing their best to serve this population but due to social distancing requirements are no longer able to use volunteers or rely on donated meals. They have a drastic need for sanitizes,personal protective equipment and thermometers to keep their guests safe and healthy. She said the best way to provide emergency resources is to offer$100,000 in City funding for two, one-time contracts of up to $50,000 to support two local non-government agencies providing support for houseless community members.The agencies must have the infrastructure and expertise to provide concrete budgets and timelines on how and when this funding might be used. Senior Management Analyst Kang discussed the funding sources. Tigard CARES will be funded by $206,000 of business license revenues which can be used for general purposes per the Tigard Municipal Code. The remaining$94,000 will come from the general fund's $1 million emergency reserves. The $100,000 for houselessness assistance will also come out of the emergency reserves. Council Discussion on Tigard CARES program Council President Goodhouse mentioned that restaurant owners with over$500,000 in sales or more than ten employees are not eligible, nor are franchises. He asked how many had been declined due to those reasons. Economic Development Director Purdy responded that they do not yet know who has not qualified. MESO has just started receiving applications. Council President Goodhouse said some restaurants run on tight margins,have both full- and part-time employees and don't want to go into further debt. Economic Development Manager Purdy said he could prepare after-action reports that show who has benefitted from the program. Youth Councilor Turley thanked staff for all the work they put into these programs and said it is really appreciated. Councilor Anderson asked about the application deadline. Economic Development Manager Purdy said they intentionally did not set a deadline. Rather than a first come, first served opportunity which could benefit businesses well connected with normal financing systems, they have kept it open and continue to accept applications to refer to the City's partners. He said he would be referring 100 businesses to Craft3. He noted that they are oversubscribed on the small grant program but that is not the case for the loans. Councilor Newton asked if the purpose of CARES is to help businesses not eligible for federal or state programs and asked for examples. Economic Development Manager Purdy said it complements what will come in from federal programs or what they could receive from local TIGARD CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES-April 7, 2020 City of Tigard 1 13125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard, OR 97223 www.tigard-or.gov I Page 2 of 7 banks. Small,women-owned,and businesses owned by people of color are the most vulnerable and have less access to banking. MESO and CDFI offer them connections. Councilor Newton said the City needs to be nimble and respond to impacts from the COVID-19 emergency, but this is probably not the last need that the City will have due to effects on the community. She expressed concern, as the City goes into budget season, about future impacts on the reserves. Councilor Lueb asked about accountability and if there was a system to report back to Council on how the money is being used and if it is going to the small and more vulnerable businesses that it is intended for. Mr.Purdy said there was, that the City was judicious in the selection of partners Craft3 and MESO and he had confidence in their ability to deliver this relief to the businesses that need it right now. He has discussed reporting and they've added information on their intake forms that let businesses know that applications will be public,but not specific. He said business size and other loan or grant qualifiers will be tracked. Councilor Lueb said this gave her confidence and she appreciated that the experts who already have the infrastructure are in place to be able to quickly manage this program. Councilor Lueb asked if this uses all the money available for a system like this or if it is a first pass for the most vulnerable people that need it now. City Manager Wine responded that the Leadership Team has held preliminary conversations about this program, and she agreed with Councilor Newton that this is probably not the last response the City will be required to make in response to COVID-19. The City will need to balance meeting immediate needs with maintaining its reserves order to sustain city services. The reserves are not unlimited. She described this as a first chapter,with the second chapter not yet defined. We do not know how long this emergency will last. Councilor Lueb stated it is hard to predict how this will continue to impact community members, and there is a huge population of city residents that are furloughed or were stretched before the pandemic began. She is experiencing some of this in her own home. She said she worries about conversations limited to the business community and the homeless community,without addressing other ways to fill broader needs in the community. Mayor Snider said other relief for residents will be discussed in the next few weeks. Council President Goodhouse requested that staff have a conversation with Council before future COVID-19 response programs are developed. He asked if the money from the business license fund reduces what is available to the Commercial Crimes Unit. Senior Management Analyst Kang said it does not impact the CCU as it is fully funded.The$206,000 is available for general purposes. Council Discussion on Housing Support Councilor Lueb asked how staff arrived at a program splitting relief between two non-profits, how many community members will be served, and what will the money be used for. Library Director Bernard said she reached out to the Good Neighbor Center and Just Compassion because the Library has close relationships with those social service agencies,and she asked how their people were faring during the public health emergency. It has been challenging for their programs due to physical distancing requirements. Rather than reinvent the wheel by exploring possible programs, staff felt these organizations are the best positioned,have the expertise and existing relationships to support those currently homeless during COVID-19. TIGARD CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -April 7, 2020 City of Tigard 1 13125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard, OR 97223 www.tigard-or.gov I Page 3 of 7 Councilor Lueb asked for more specifics on what the money will be used for and how many people will be helped.Library Director Bernard said this is unknown at this time as they plan to require the organizations apply for funding and include timelines and budget allocations. Mayor Snider noted that the homeless assistance program had changed and asked whether Council was approving a particular amount of money or funding specifically directed to two organizations. Library Director Bernard clarified that they want to put the call out for two organizations to apply for grants of no more than $50,000. Mayor Snider suggested they consider two more organizations,including Packed with Pride,because they deliver food to 800 of the most vulnerable families. Councilor Newton said she is the liaison to the Community Development Block Grant Policy Advisory Board and they just finished up their recommendation process. There are some Tigard- based agencies that probably won't get funded and those could be considered if the program is opened to more applicants. She said she is concerned about the homeless population but is equally concerned about the people on the borderline of becoming homeless where, for example, three months of utility bill assistance might be more helpful right now than anything else. She suggested developing criteria so the greatest number of people in the community receive help from the limited funding available. City Manager Wine said the criteria was for the funding to help with human needs in the community. By receiving this money these agencies would be able to serve more of those already homeless or on the cusp.Library Director Bernard added it will help the organizations provide even more capacity during these extenuating circumstances. Councilor Anderson commented that Just Compassion and Good Neighbor Center are great local partners, but he agreed with opening the program a little. Youth Councilor Turley said Packed with Pride is doing great work and would be a good additional resource. Council President Goodhouse noted that the Washington County transient lodging tax was used for COVID-19 relief for hotels in the area. He noted that an earlier proposal from staff included hotel vouchers and allowed safe parking at the Library. He asked if there was outreach to hotels to see if any rooms could be donated to provide shelter. Senior Planner Warren clarified that the Washington County Visitors Association said the support from the transient lodging tax going to hotels was to maintain staff on the payroll, not to subsidize rooms. Council President Goodhouse noted that the emergency fund set up years ago was being accessed and he suggested adding back into it through a future line item. Mayor Snider said this would be part of the budget discussion. Councilor Newton clarified that the funding would go to social services agencies to expand their services during COVID-19 rather than for maintaining existing services. Councilor Anderson moved to approve Resolution No. 20-18. Councilor Newton seconded the motion. City Recorder Krager read the number and title of the resolution and conducted a roll call vote. TIGARD CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -April 7, 2020 City of Tigard 1 13125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard, OR 97223 www.tigard-or.gov I Page 4 of 7 Resolution No. 20-18—A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE FY 2020 SPECIAL BUDGET SUPPLEMENTAL FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE INCLUDING BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS TO POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION Yes No Council President Goodhouse ✓ Councilor Newton ✓ Councilor Lueb ✓ Councilor Anderson ✓ Mayor Snider ✓ 3. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ENACTING A MORATORIUM ON RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL EVICTIONS AND PROVIDING A TIMEFRAME FOR TENANTS TO BECOME CURRENT Senior Planner Warren introduced this item with a slide presentation on enacting a moratorium on residential and commercial evictions. He said the public health emergency has led to an unprecedented and precipitous decrease of economic activity. Emergency declarations and policies to promote social distancing will help slow the spread,preserve the capacity of healthcare systems and protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. But these measures are having a profound effect on local businesses, especially for the service industries. Non-essential businesses have been forced to close. Community members are struggling to keep up with financial obligations, one of which is rent. Residential evictions worsen the public health emergency and for families with school-age children this is the loss of a way to complete learning because schools are closed. He added that commercial evictions make it more difficult for the business community to recover and re-hire workers. The proposed resolution prohibits all residential evictions for nonpayment of rent throughout the state of emergency, not just the 90-days included in the state moratorium. It allows for a six-month repayment period at the expiration of the emergency. Commercial evictions are prohibited throughout the same period. The State of Oregon, Beaverton, Sherwood,Portland and other cities have already taken action to prevent residential and commercial evictions. Youth Councilor Turley said she strongly supported this,particularly because of the at-home online learning aspect and this would make students feel secure in this unprecedented time. Councilor Anderson requested language be added encouraging customers make partial payments whenever possible,which would help landlords pay their mortgages. The multi-family federal Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac loans are insured but that accounts for only about 40-50 percent of apartments. Councilor Newton agreed with Councilor Anderson on adding wording to the resolution about making at least partial payments. Mayor Snider said he agreed and suggested adding, "tenants will make reasonable payments as they are able." Councilor Anderson said that landlords will then know it is not"all or nothing."Councilor Newton concurred. TIGARD CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -April 7, 2020 City of Tigard 1 13125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard, OR 97223 www.tigard-or.gov I Page 5 of 7 Council President Goodhouse asked about the Governor's recommendation for no evictions and asked if any city has authority to tell a landlord what they can or cannot do. Mayor Snider said what the City passes could be challenged,but that did not stop other jurisdictions from doing this. He said it makes an important statement. Councilor Lueb offered support for adding language encouraging partial payments so landlords will be able to pay the mortgages. Councilor Lueb moved to adopt Resolution No. 20-19 with the additional language. Mayor Snider recommended waiting for a motion until after City Attorney Rihala reads her suggested language and placement within the resolution. Councilor Lueb withdrew her motion. City Attorney Rihala proposed replacing the first sentence in Section 4 so it would read, "Nothing in this moratorium shall relieve tenant's liability for unpaid rent which landlords may seek and tenants must pay in installments or in full, as soon as practicable,but no later than within six months after the expiration of the City of Tigard's declaration of emergency." Councilor Lueb moved to approve Resolution 20-19 with additions from City Attorney Rihala. Councilor Newton seconded the motion. City Recorder Krager read the number and title of the resolution and conducted a roll call vote. Resolution No. 20-19—A RESOLUTION PROHIBITING ACTIONS TO INITIATE EVICTION PROCEDURES AGAINST RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL TENANTS IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY, as amended Yes No Council President Goodhouse ✓ Councilor Newton ✓ Councilor Lueb ✓ Councilor Anderson ✓ Mayor Snider ✓ 4. NON-AGENDA ITEMS City Manager Wine asked Council what the Leadership Team should evaluate for additional discussion and potential Council action at the April 21 meeting. Mayor Snider listed the following ideas for consideration: delaying backflow testing requirements, utility bill assistance, or reducing utility bills through vouchers obtained by eating at local restaurants. He noted code compliance remediators are unable to work due to social distancing requirements. Councilor Lueb asked about utility bill assistance for those in the community struggling to pay bills due to economic impacts of the pandemic. She suggested staff and Council focus through a lens of what can done to support residents, or what can be paused temporarily. TIGARD CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -April 7, 2020 City of Tigard 1 13125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard, OR 97223 www.tigard-or.gov I Page 6 of 7 Councilor Anderson asked if there were needs that City departments, especially Public Works or Police are aware of that they could help with. Councilor Newton said staff on the front lines or out in the community might hear concerns or see opportunities for the City to help. Council President Goodhouse suggested Council and staff keep reaching out to the community to ask what they are experiencing and what they need. Youth Councilor Turley requested that the City find a solution to make free public broadband internet available and easily accessible for people working or studying from home. She said some may not find this an easy utility to afford. Mayor Snider asked City Manager Wine to speak individually with each Councilor to confirm program definition for the April 21 discussion. He said he would like to take action then, but acknowledged the topics are complicated and may be difficult to put together quickly. 5. EXECUTIVE SESSION: At 8:01 p.m. Mayor Snider announced that the Tigard City Council was entering into Executive Session to discuss labor negotiations under ORS 192.660(2)(d). He said the City Council would adjourn at the conclusion of the Executive Session. 6. ADJOURNMENT Councilor Newton moved for adjournment at 8:38 p.m. and Councilor Lueb seconded the motion. Mayor Snider conducted a vote and the motion passed. Yes No Council President Goodhouse ✓ Councilor Newton ✓ Councilor Lueb ✓ Councilor Anderson ✓ Mayor Snider ✓ Carol A. Krager, City Rec rder Attest: <: � Jason B. Snider,Mayor Date: �J? TIGARD CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -April 7, 2020 City of Tigard 1 13125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard, OR 97223 www.tigard-or.gov I Page 7 of 7