Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness Business Impact topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Midvale approves $200,000 reimbursement program for businesses near shelter; staff to administer and report monthly
Summary
The council approved a first-in-state reimbursement program using shelter-mitigation funds to help local businesses pay for security and safety improvements; staff outlined eligibility, documentation and reporting requirements.
Midvale City Council approved a business and property safety and security improvement reimbursement program funded through the city’s homeless shelter mitigation fund.
City staff said the Office of Homeless Services approved roughly $3.5 million in mitigation funds to the city for shelter-related work; the council authorized using $200,000 of that allocation to reimburse businesses for safety and security improvements linked to shelter impacts. Erin, the staff presenter, described the program as “first of its kind in the state” and said staff expect to award grants on a first-come, first-served basis.
Under the program details provided to council, each eligible business may receive up to $20,000 per award. Eligible improvements listed in the packet include security cameras, lighting, landscaping changes and fencing; the packet also lists smaller items such as “no loitering” or “no trespassing” signs. Staff said multiple improvements can be funded as long as the combined reimbursement request does not exceed the $20,000 cap.
Businesses must show that requested repairs or mitigation measures are reasonably demonstrated to be caused by transient or shelter-related activity using police reports, camera footage or other documentation; staff said they will require invoices and evidence of need before reimbursements are issued. Applicants must be in good standing with the city, comply with codes for any installed improvements, allow city access to improvements with 72 hours’ notice for two years after the agreement, and maintain improvements for their useful life. Staff also said approved applicants will be required to cooperate with prosecution if crimes occur on their property.
Council members raised questions about the program’s administrative burden for small requests (for example, a business seeking only inexpensive signs) and the potential for businesses to attribute damage without definitive proof. Staff replied they had already met businesses in March, provided flyers with resource links and price examples, and plan to administer grants with legal review and to return to council monthly with updates on recipients and expenditures. The council voted to approve Resolution 2024R55; staff will prepare application materials and begin accepting requests under the program.
