Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 18 - Santa Ana Outdoor Safe Dining Program Community Development Agency https://www.santa-ana.org/cd Item # 18 City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Staff Report March 16, 2021 TOPIC: Santa Ana Outdoor Safe Dining Program. AGENDA TITLE: Approve Appropriation Adjustment Recognizing $500,000 in Grant Funding from the County of Orange for the Santa Ana Outdoor Safe Dining Program (Non-General Fund) RECOMMENDED ACTION 1. Approve an appropriation adjustment recognizing grant funding from the County of Orange for the Santa Ana Outdoor Safe Dining Program in the amount of $500,000 in revenue account (No. 12418002-52030) and appropriating the same amount to expenditure account (No. 12418810-62300). 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute agreements and approve any other required actions necessary with the County of Orange, vendors, and contractors, who will implement the Santa Ana Outdoor Safe Dining Program, subject to non-substantive changes approved by the City Manager and City Attorney. DISCUSSION The County of Orange Supervisorial District 1 has generously selected the City of Santa Ana to pilot the Outdoor Safe Dining Program to mitigate impacts of COVID-19 for restaurants by expanding outdoor dining opportunities through the installation of parklets on private commercial property. The COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary physical distancing measures implemented by the State of California have impacted many businesses, leading to business closures, loss of employee hours and wages, and layoffs. The County of Orange Board of Supervisors allocated $10 million in General Funds equally between the five supervisorial districts for economic support initiatives for small businesses in response to COVID-19. As part of the economic support initiatives, County and City staff worked collaboratively to bring forth the Outdoor Safe Dining Program that will utilize $500,000 of County General Funds to help restaurants in the City of Santa Ana operate in a safe manner, and abide by State of California and local health official mandates for social distancing. The program will target restaurants along or within 500 feet of First Street, and depending on funding availability, restaurants along or within 500 feet of 17th Street. Santa Ana Outdoor Safe Dining Program. March 16, 2021 Page 2 5 5 9 The City will work with a vendor for the design and installation of the parklets according to City standards. The proposed designs may include rails, planters, wood decks, shade sails, solar lights, and drought tolerant plants. Full program guidelines are currently under development and the program will be ready to launch by mid-April. The following are sample concepts for the outdoor dining patios on private commercial property: BACKGROUND On May 28, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City Manager signed Executive Order No. 5-2020 to help existing commercial businesses operate in a safe manner, and abide by State of California and local health official mandate for social distancing, by temporarily authorizing restaurants and retail businesses to expand dining and retail operations outdoors. This Executive Order allowed Downtown restaurants to temporarily expand dining onto sidewalks, parking spaces, roads, and allowed all other restaurants in Santa Ana to temporarily expand dining operations on to parking spaces servicing the commercial private property, exempt from local permitting, but in accordance with written guidelines. The City utilized CARES Act funding to create 23 parklets throughout Downtown Santa Ana. These parklets have been a success and have assisted businesses to continue their operations throughout the pandemic. The following are parklets that were developed in Downtown: Santa Ana Outdoor Safe Dining Program. March 16, 2021 Page 3 5 5 9 The Outdoor Safe Dining Program will enhance and build upon already existing City efforts for safe outdoor dining spaces. FISCAL IMPACT Approval of the appropriation adjustment will recognize $500,000 in the revenue account No. 12418002-52030 for expenditure as follows: Fiscal Year Accounting Unit- Account Fund Description Accounting Unit, Account Description Amount FY 20-21 (April-June)12418810-62300 Orange County Grants Outdoor Safe Dining Program, Contract Services-Professional $500,000 The spending plan is only an estimate. Any unspent funds by the end of the current fiscal year will be carried forward to FY 21-22 for continuation of the program. Fiscal Impact Verified By: Kathryn Downs, CPA, Executive Director – Finance and Management Services Agency Submitted By: Steven Mendoza, Assistant City Manager Approved By: Kristine Ridge, City Manager