Downtown business owners told the Parlier City Council at its Dec. 19 special meeting that street-rehabilitation work has significantly hurt customer traffic and damaged storefronts.

"I'm one of the owners of Senior Beef in downtown," Crystal Ortega said. "Construction makes it really, really hard to get through our business... We're not making ends meet." Ortega said plywood covering broken windows and holes in front of shops has given customers a reason to avoid entering.

City representatives said the contractor approved for the downtown rehabilitation has experienced delays. Staff said they have contacted the city engineer and the contractor and noted the contract includes penalties if work is not finished by the deadline. City staff also told the council that funds the city had planned to use for business relief — ARPA COVID funds — were moved to the general fund to cover an over-budget police expense, leaving no immediate ARPA allocation for downtown assistance. Staff suggested exploring Community Development Block Grant funds or other grants with grant writers as potential options for aid.

Ortega and other business owners asked the council for financial help to cover operating costs while construction continues. Council members and staff said the matter is not agendized and suggested staff meet with business representatives to gather details and return with recommendations.

The council did not take formal action on downtown relief at the meeting. Staff agreed to follow up with the city engineer and contractor and to explore possible grant-based relief options.