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Ely approves $10,000 relief fund to help businesses hurt by water shutdowns; up to $5,000 per applicant
Summary
The Council approved a $10,000 program to reimburse local businesses for verifiable revenue losses from city utility shutdowns tied to downtown construction. Requirements include evidence of loss from corresponding days over six prior weeks, an insurance denial, and a maximum $5,000 award per applicant.
Ely City Council on July 24 approved a $10,000 program to help local businesses that lost revenue during city utility shutdowns related to downtown construction.
Mayor Nathan Robertson and City Engineer B.J. Almberg described repeated, planned water shutdowns tied to replacement of aging downtown infrastructure. The Council discussed impacts on restaurants and retail businesses when boil-water notices or long shutoffs force closures. City Treasurer Janette Trask said staff could verify revenue documentation and recommended clear bullet-point requirements.
Under the program approved by the Council, applicants must:
- Demonstrate business interruption of two or more days caused by a City utility shutdown. - Provide gross revenue for the corresponding days for the six preceding weeks (for example, the same weekdays) so the City can calculate average losses. - Show the demonstrated loss exceeded 15% of the average; the program reimburses loss above 15% up to the program cap. - Provide an insurance denial if coverage was sought. - Be current on utility bills and hold a City of Ely business license.
The program is funded from the City’s contingency ($10,000 total), with individual awards capped at $5,000. The Council directed Treasurer Janette Trask and a council member to review applications; Mayor Robertson said staff would notify affected downtown businesses and include a disclaimer that application does not guarantee payment.
Councilman Dennis Perea moved to allocate the $10,000 with the parameters described; Councilwoman Melody Van Camp seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
City Engineer B.J. Almberg noted crews have tried to schedule work and shutdowns to minimize downtown impacts, beginning early in the day wherever possible, but some connections required extended outages. The Council said it would reassess funding if demand exceeded the initial allocation.
