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Council discusses Don Rowe–funded restaurant grant; consent item approved
Summary
Council reviewed a county supervisor’s one-year, first-come-first-served restaurant grant intended to help new eateries with startup costs; staff said an application and scoring rubric were drafted and the council approved the consent calendar including the program.
Council members pulled consent item 4e to ask questions about a restaurant-startup grant made available through the discretionary budget of County Supervisor Don Rowe.
City staff said the program is a one-year, first-come-first-served grant intended to encourage restaurant openings and to support the city’s economic development and image goals. Staff reported that the supervisor’s office provided a draft application and scoring rubric; staff will manage application intake and distribution. A staff member said the grant is structured with a contribution from the supervisor’s discretionary budget and includes a matching component; staff described the match roughly as 75%/25%, though councilors discussed flexibility if few new applicants appear.
A staff liaison said the supervisor’s office left discretion to the city about eligible uses and that staff initially targeted the program at new restaurants but could consider adapting criteria to assist existing businesses if the council so directed. After questions and clarification from staff, the council approved the consent calendar, including item 4e.
Next steps: staff will finalize the program administration and the application process and will coordinate with the supervisor’s office on execution and disbursement of funds.
