Economic Stabilization Task Force (Sunset January 2021)

Page 1 of 36 Economic Stabilization Task Force Appointed by the City & Borough of Juneau’s Mayor Meeting Agenda Thursday, October 22, 2020 3:00 p.m. Members of the public may listen in or watch by following one these options Please click the link to join the meeting: https://juneau.zoom.us/j/98619696780, or call 1‐669‐900‐6833 or 1‐253‐215‐8782 or 1‐346‐248‐7799 or 1‐929‐436‐2866 or 1‐ Assembly Charge 301‐715‐8592 or 1‐312‐626‐6799, and enter The purpose of the task force is Webinar ID: 986 1969 6780 to review the economic Send comments to Economic‐Stabilization@juneau.org landscape and make recommendations to the Time Agenda Item Presenter assembly. In particular, the 3:00 p.m. Call to Order Mr. Mertz task force should: 1. Examine federal and state 3:01 p.m. Approval of Agenda Mr. Mertz government financial 3:02 p.m. Approval of Minutes Open assistance programs and identify and prioritize any 3:05 p.m. CARES Funding Pie Chart Update Mr. Rogers “gaps” that exist. 2. Identify and promote 3:25 p.m. 2021 Cruise Ship Season Update Mr. Tibbles strategies that enable Mr. Day businesses to continue 3:45 p.m. Artworks Grant Update Ms. DeCherney operations safely such as curbside pick‐up, take‐away, 3:55 p.m. Juneau Lifeline: Funding for Businesses Mr. Rogers delivery, and other innovative Substantially Harmed by Shutdown services. Additionally, explore strategies that enable 4:15 p.m. Non‐Profit Grant Update Ms. Thomas businesses and Juneau’s Ms. Skilbred economy to recover in the long term. 4:35 p.m. Housing Assistance Update Ms. Walker‐Tolles 3. Act as Liaison with the 4:45 p.m. Public Comment Matrix Ms. MacVay Governor’s Alaska Economic Stabilization Team 4:50 p.m. Good of the Order Open 5:00 p.m. Adjourn Max Mertz, Co‐Chair • Linda Thomas, Co‐Chair • Susan Bell • Theresa Belton • Bruce Botelho Eric Forst • Ken Koelsch • Lauren MacVay • Laura Martinson • Terra Peters  Page 2 of 36 Economic Stabilization Task Force Appointed by the City & Borough of Juneau’s Mayor DRAFT Meeting Minutes from October 8, 2020 Call to Order The Economic Stabilization Task Force meeting was called to order at 3:02 p.m. by Mr. Mertz. Task Force Members Present: Linda Thomas, Max Mertz, Susan Bell, Theresa Belton, Bruce Botelho, Eric Forst, Ken Koelsch, Lauren MacVay, Laura Martinson, and Terra Peters Task Force Members Absent: None Staff Present: CBJ Deputy City Manager, Mila Cosgrove; CDD Administrative Officer, Brenwynne Grigg; and CBJ Finance Director, Jeff Rogers CBJ Assembly Members Present: Mayor Beth Weldon and Loren Jones Special Guest Speakers: President of Juneau Soccer Club, Whit Adams; President of Falcons Full Court Club, John Blasco; Representative for Glacier Swim Club, Amy Bowers; Pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Tari Stage‐Harvey; President and CEO of Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority, Jacqueline Pata; Executive Director of Juneau Community Foundation, Amy Skilbred; Executive Director of Catholic Community Services, Erin Walker‐Tolles; and, Concerned Business Coalition Members Kristin Mabry and Leeann Thomas Approval of Agenda Mr. Mertz asked that Mr. Rogers give a brief update on remaining CARES Act funding and present on an updated pie chart and table immediately after the approval of minutes. MOTION: by Mr. Botelho to approve the agenda as amended. Ms. Thomas seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the motion was approved. Approval of Minutes MOTION: by Mr. Botelho to approve the Economic Stabilization Task Force meeting minutes from September 24 and 28, 2020. Mr. Forst seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the motion was approved. CARES Act Funding – Pie Chart & Table Mr. Rogers presented an updated pie chart and table, sharing an overview of programs that have received  Page 3 of 36 CARES Act funding. He stated that dependent upon whether the nonprofit grant program can fully expend its funds, he estimates there is between $3.5 and $5 million remaining in CARES Act money. Juneau Lifeline: Funding for Businesses Substantially Harmed by Shutdown Mr. Mertz introduced members of the Concerned Business Coalition to speak on their proposal for Juneau Lifeline: Funding for Businesses Substantially Harmed by COVID‐19 Related Shutdowns. He introduced Ms. Leeann Thomas and Ms. Kristin Maybry as spokespeople for the coalition. Ms. Thomas stated the Concern Business Coalition is requesting funds for year‐round operations suffering extreme hardship due to COVID‐19. Since the original request from the Juneau/Lynn Canal Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant, and Retailers Association (CHARR), the proposal has broadened to include gyms, personal services, and year‐round tourism. Most business in Juneau struggle in the winter months in normal years, but many of these have lost more than 50% of sales revenue during their bread and butter months in the summer. These summer months are what they rely on to get them through the winter. Additionally, they are incurring increased costs for new cleaning protocols and testing of staff. Many of the bars and restaurants have lost product during shutdowns due to perishable items. The businesses facing extreme hardship rely on face‐to‐face customers and they need people to walk through their doors, though many of their customers are still afraid to patronize their businesses due to COVID‐19. The businesses have worked diligently to stay open and stay safe, while still losing over 50% of sales in their third quarter. This $2 million grant proposal extends a lifeline to help these businesses facing extreme hardship to stay open during the winter in hopes that summer will bring more economic activity. To be eligible, the business must be a year‐round operation, which is verifiable by reviewing sales tax quarterly returns. If the program becomes oversubscribed, Ms. Thomas recommends reducing grants at the levels that are oversubscribed. The three levels of grants are $20 thousand grants for bars, $15 thousand grants for restaurants, and $15 thousand grants for other affected businesses. After gathering data, she believes approximately 128 businesses will apply. Ms. Mabry introduced herself as Co‐Owner of The Gym in Juneau. The Gym endured a forced closure from March 18 to May 9 and lost many membership subscriptions as a result. When allowed to reopen, it was only at 25% of their capacity. They have been forced to lay off all their staff just to continue covering expenses and their overall membership levels are still down. She thanked the Economic Stabilization Task Force for hearing this proposal and allowing them to be a part of the discussion. Mr. Botelho asked if the financial distinction in the proposal between bars and restaurants is because bars were shut down entirely. Ms. Thomas affirmed his assumption, stating this program targets those who have been forced to close completely, and those who are only allowed to operate at 25% to 50% of their capacity. Mr. Botelho asked how she arrived at 30%, where it states in the proposal that businesses must pledge that amount of their grant proceeds on payroll expenses or employee benefits. Ms. Thomas replied that Mr. Mertz assisted them with that number, but they believe most employers will in fact spend over 30% of their grant toward staffing. MOTION: by Mr. Koelsch to recommend to the Assembly the Juneau Lifeline Proposal. Mr. Botelho seconded the motion. DISCUSSION Mr. Koelsch stated that through his past roles working as a High School Activities Director, working on Glory Hall property acquisition, and as the City & Borough of Juneau’s Mayor, he became very aware that businesses in this targeted market have consistently supported the Juneau community by donating to fundraising efforts and charitable organizations. He believes it is time for the Juneau community to give back.  Page 4 of 36 Ms. Thomas mentioned the large number of letters and emails received over the past few days from a broad base of companies sharing their stories and requesting help. The letters claim that this proposal will make a difference in their payrolls and allow them to last a while longer – hopefully until summer. She reminded the Task Force that this assistance proposal is beyond the Business Sustainability Grant, because it requires evidence of extreme hardship to qualify. Ms. Bell stated that since her time at McDowell Group, they have performed numerous economic impact studies. It is clear there is a misperception on how much seasonal business and local ownership supports Juneau’s economy. She added that seeing the collective impact of how this community is hurting is profound. She expressed support for the motion and asked to capture the statements of Mr. Koelsch in the recommendation of the Task Force. Ms. MacVay shared that she read every email and letter submitted for this proposal. Many of these businesses are claiming an 80% to 90% decrease in revenue, and this money will be well‐spent if the Task Force is interested in having a business community next year like the one we have previously enjoyed. Mr. Botelho said that it is becoming apparent there may not be another federal stimulus package anytime soon, and this aid will help these businesses make it until the end of the year. Mr. Mertz shared data on the number of qualifying businesses, including an expanded category for Single‐ Employee/Owner/Juneau‐Based. The original proposal shows 74 restaurants, but information provided by Mr. Clinton Singletary, CBJ Sales Tax Administrator, reflects 80 restaurants. Mr. Mertz stated that he was moved by the comments received and felt there was an oversight in the proposal. There are single owner businesses that may not have opened their doors all year, but still have Juneau residences and children in Juneau schools. These owners are working their business all year, even if their doors are not open, by collecting other revenue and gearing up for next season. For these reasons, he believes it is fair to include this group. Therefore, if they do not have a 3rd quarter sales tax record because there is zero business, but can demonstrate that they live in Juneau there should be a way for them to participate. However, because they do not have employees, the grant amount should be reduced. Modified & Expanded Extreme Hardship Proposal Numbers Type Grant Amount Total 14 Bars $20,000 $ 280,000 80 Restaurants $15,000 $1,200,000 40 Other Year Round $15,000 $600,000 25 Single‐Employee/Owner/Juneau‐Based $7,500 $187,500 $2,267,500 ⁓$2,300,000 Mr. Mertz asked for an amendment to the motion to correct the number of restaurants from 74 to 80, and allow provisions for small single owner Juneau based businesses. This brings the total request from $2 million to $2.3 million. AMENDMENT: by Mr. Botelho to increase the request for the Juneau Lifeline Proposal to $2.3 million and including a category for single‐employee business owners who are based in Juneau. Ms. Peters seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the amendment was approved. Mr. Mertz stated there was now an amended motion on the table and asked for objections. OBJECTION: by Ms. Thomas for the sake of discussion.  Page 5 of 36 Ms. Thomas stated that for the sake of conversation, she would like to discuss what objections the Assembly or others might have regarding this program. She suggested that perhaps some would rather see additional funding for nonprofits. However, nonprofits have been unable to spend the money allocated so far unless they shift the focus away from sustainability and toward new programs. Ms. MacVay said the major downside to this program is that there will be some other need competing for the funding. The Assembly will have to weigh that when they consider all proposals. She added the larger risk is that some CARES Act funding will be returned to the federal government if unspent. To lose the opportunity for that money to be spent in Juneau is unacceptable. She asked if the $2.3 million allocated to the Juneau Lifeline Program is unsubscribed, could the remaining amount be divided evenly among grant applications? She asked for that to be considered in the writing of the ordinance. WITHDRAWAL OF OBJECTION: Ms. Thomas asked for more discussion, and hearing none, withdrew her objection. Hearing no objections, the amended motion was approved. Trail Projects Status Update Mr. Botelho shared that the Conservation Corps Grant Program was ending. There were conversations with the CBJ and Trail Mix around extending additional funding for projects, but it was decided there was not enough time to complete those projects, now that crews are starting to run out of daylight to work. Trail Mix, Eaglecrest, and CBJ Parks and Recreation have improved the following trails:  Horse Tram Trail  Anne Coleman Beach Access Trail  Eagle Valley Cabin Trail  Dicks Lake Trail  Eaglecrest Mountain Bike Trail  Eagle Valley Ropes Course Trail  Red Mill Trail  Granite Creek Trail  Eagle Valley Elevated Walkway Replacement Additionally, Trail Mix has documented 136 hours of job skills training per crewmember. Trainings include trail design and layout, safe rigging practices for trail work, wilderness advanced first aid, basic chainsaw operation, trail mix orientation, and basic trail skills. Mr. Botelho expressed that this program has been a successful undertaking and Juneau citizens will enjoy the fruits of this for years to come. Nonprofit Grant Update Ms. Thomas shared that $1.8 million of $3 million allocated to the Nonprofit Sustainability fund has been approved and will be awarded as grants. Since additional funds remain in the program, the City Manager extended the application period to October 21. There was a request to increase the grant amounts, which would result in total grant amounts of $2.4 million, an increase from the original $1.8 million. However, now that the application period is extended, the total grant amounts could be greater if additional applications are submitted. Advertisement efforts are underway for the extended application period. Ms. Thomas also noted that there are four additional social services program requests. These are:  Page 6 of 36 1. Tlingit and Haida Regional Housing Authority requesting funds to purchase and renovate property to provide shelter for youth who are experiencing homelessness. 2. Family Promise requesting funds to purchase and operate a facility for their operations in supporting families that are experiencing homelessness. 3. Southeast Alaska Food Bank requesting funds to purchase a 6‐month supply of food and rent heated storage space for that food. 4. Shepherd of the Valley requesting funds to operate a Safe Place for Schooling program to support children during online school. Funding Request for Homeless Youth Shelter Mr. Mertz introduced Ms. Jacqueline Pata, President and CEO of Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority, and asked her to present on the funding request submitted to the Task Force. Ms. Pata stated that Tlingit & Haida Regional Housing Authority (THRHA) is a part of the Juneau Homeless Coalition, and that they work with a Youth Homeless Coalition as part of a statewide effort in Alaska. Currently, Juneau does not have a sheltering facility for youth, despite having 100 – 150 youth who are vulnerable and/or couch surfing at any given time. Zach Gordon Youth Center and THRHA have collaborated on this proposal to create a homeless youth shelter, and have applied for a variety of funds. To date, they have received $150 thousand of CARES Act funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A property on Hurlock Avenue has been identified as a location for this youth shelter, as it was used in this capacity in prior years, formerly known as Cornerstone. The CBJ Planning Commission considers approval of their request for a Conditional Use Permit on October 13. If approved, THRHA plans to acquire the property from its current owners, Alaska Legacy Partners, and give the property and building back to the CBJ. The CBJ would then lease the property to THRHA for use. THRHA will serve as the property managers and Zach Gordon will provide the shelter services. The proposal budget includes $924 thousand in renovations, which includes a new roof. THRHA plans to continue pursuing additional funding for this youth shelter. Funding Request from Family Promise Mr. Mertz asked Pastor Tari Stage‐Harvey of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church to present her proposal with Family Promise. Pastor Stage‐Harvey stated that Family Promise relies heavily on volunteers and church buildings in meeting the needs of displaced families. Since the COVID‐19 pandemic, many of the church buildings have been closed down and most of the volunteers struggled to serve in a similar capacity as they had pre‐COVID. Currently, Family Promise is relying heavily on Chapel by the Lake in Auke Bay to fill the gaps by hosting families and Day Center services in their facility. At some point, Chapel by the Lake will need to reclaim their space and there will be a gap if congregations are not yet be able to host families. A building has become available that is within their means that can be used as a Day Center. The building will not shelter families overnight, but families are welcome during the day when they are not working, and staff will use some of the space for offices. Mr. Mertz thanked Pastor Stage‐Harvey and Ms. Pata for their presentations. He added that CARES Act funding is running against the calendar at this point, since money must be expended on active programming prior to December 30, 2020. He asked Mr. Rogers to report on this. Mr. Rogers stated that, according to the U.S. Treasury Guidance on CARES Act funds, expenditures must be for things deemed necessary and for expenses incurred due to the public health emergency of COVID‐19. Mechanically, funds must be spent by December 30, 2020, and not just obligated. Hypothetically, if a facility was purchased with CARES Act funding, the CBJ would expect the facility to be in use by December 1, 2020. The CBJ Assembly’s next meeting is on October 26, where they could pass an emergency appropriation resolution if that is their will. Their next regular meeting is November 23, where it will be possible for an ordinance to move, but there will be new Assembly members who may have a learning curve.  Page 7 of 36 Mr. Mertz asked if the Task Force would like to refer the two programs funding requests to Mr. Rogers and Mr. Palmer to vet the information, their eligibility for CARES Act funding, and their ability to be operational prior to the deadline. Mr. Botelho said he would like to hear from Ms. Pata and Pastor Stage‐Harvey regarding whether they feel they can meet the mechanical requirements as Mr. Rogers presented. Ms. Pata stated they feel they can have the youth shelter operational by the deadline, because the building is habitable as is. They can purchase the necessary equipment for furnishing and renovate in stages while operational. Additionally, THRHA has their own construction crew and are not bound to an outside contractors’ schedule. THRHA is concerned because homeless youth are currently receiving their services from adult service providers, and this is an unsafe place for them to be. Pastor Stage‐Harvey shared the building they would like to purchase is move‐in ready and would not be a radical change in use from its current use. Staffing at Family Promise has grown from one to six to meet the needs created by COVID‐19, so at minimum, the extra office space needed is directly linked to COVID‐19. They are ready to move swiftly. Ms. Thomas stated that in considering the best use of the remaining CARES Act funds, she is bothered that there is not a grant program focused on providing food and shelter. She added that the Alaska Community Foundation is due for another round of funding, which will be out in two weeks. The next couple of weeks are critical for nonprofits and the program funding being requested. The next Task Force meeting on October 22 will still allow for a timely Assembly recommendation. Ms. Thomas reminded the Task Force of two additional nonprofit requests which are directly linked to food and shelter. The Southeast Alaska Food Bank is requesting $79.3 thousand to rent two heated storage spaces for November and December, and to purchase and store six‐months of nonperishable food. Additionally, there is the outstanding request of $95 thousand to fund the Safe Space for Schooling program. Pastor Stage‐Harvey informed the Task Force of a vote that is happening tonight on the five locations for the Safe Space for Schooling program, which are scattered throughout the valley, in the downtown, and in Douglas. Mr. Mertz asked Mr. Rogers if purchasing a six‐month supply of food is CARES eligible. Mr. Rogers replied that the U.S. Treasury Guidance broadly allows for advanced purchasing of supplies related to the pandemic. Ms. Thomas recommended deferring action on these programs until October 22 to allow time to gather additional information, as this still may not represent a complete picture of the need. Mr. Botelho asked if there was a reason to defer on the request from the Southeast Alaska Food Bank. Mr. Mertz stated he does not feel the need to defer on the Southeast Alaska Food Bank request or the Safe Places for Schooling program. Ms. Thomas stated that if this group, which is very aware of what is happening in the community, is not aware of a higher and better use in the area of food and shelter, she agrees to move forward. Ms. Martinson agreed, stating that the Task Force is always looking for gaps in food and shelter, but these items are important and if the drafting of an ordinance can be set in motion sooner, that is ideal. MOTION: by Ms. Martinson to recommend to the Assembly funding for the Safe Space for Schooling program and funding for the Southeast Alaska Foodbank. Ms. Bell seconded the motion.  Page 8 of 36 Hearing no objections, the motion was approved. Mr. Mertz asked Mr. Rogers and Mr. Palmer to gather additional information on the requests from Family Promise and THRHA to determine if this is technically allowable through the U.S. Treasury Guidelines for CARES Act funding. Housing Assistance Update Mr. Mertz asked Ms. Erin Walker‐Tolles for an update on the Housing Assistance program that was passed by the Assembly on October 1. He added that this is an important program, and there may be a demand for additional funding down the road. Ms. Walker‐Tolles shared that staff at Catholic Community Services (CCS) has been moving quickly to ready this program. They are already receiving phone calls requesting details and wanting to know when the application period begins. CCS has created a messaging system to ensure interested individuals are receiving correct information regarding eligibility requirements. CCS is not accepting applications at this time, but they are meeting with the CBJ Information Officer, Lisa Phu, for assistance with advertising. They expect the application period to open one week after Ms. Phu initiates the information release. Mr. Forst suggested outreach to the landlords of the larger apartment complexes, since they may know of some tenants who could benefit from this program. Ms. Walker‐Tolles said that was a great idea and replied that information will also be shared with the nonprofit network, tribal corporations, the business community, and anyone in an affected industry. Additionally, they plan to release information to the Interfaith Council, Love Inc., and the broader faith community through churches. CCS will share this as broadly as possible and will post flyers around town. She welcomed any ideas for places of notice. CCS plans to donate a radio advertisement and a digital ad in a media outlet such as KINY, but asked if the CBJ can support funding for additional advertising. Ms. MacVay said she would reach out to local banks, informing them of the program so they can promote it to those they see are in need. Ms. Belton added that Central Council for Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska would provide advertising through their communications department in digital and ink forms. Ms. Bell suggested the utility companies might include an advertisement for the program on their statements. Ms. Walker‐Tolles added they know many families who faithfully pay their utilities and house payments in order to avoid homelessness, but cannot afford to buy their children winter boots and scrimp on food. This program will provide some temporary relief. Mr. Rogers said the CBJ will pay for additional advertising, and that he will work with Ms. Phu. Mr. Mertz asked if it makes sense to set aside leftover CARES Act funds in the event the Housing Assistance Program needs additional funding, since there seems to be much demand. Mr. Forst agreed, adding that this program could be a way to sweep up any excess funds that are unspent. He added that this is an ideal program for this purpose, since it reaches the broadest part of the population and is not targeting a specific industry. MOTION: by Mr. Forst to increase funding to the Housing Assistance program by $1 million. Ms. Bell seconded the motion.  Page 9 of 36 Ms. Bell asked Mr. Rogers to consider a mechanism in the ordinance for capturing excess funds into this program as the deadline nears. Mr. Rogers stated that it is in the Assembly’s power to authorize additional payments directed at public assistance in late December. There are no restrictions on expanding the Housing Assistance Program, even toward the end of the year. In January 2021, CBJ Finance will reconcile how much has been spent and find expenditures from 2020 that qualify as COVID‐19 eligible to reimburse the internal government organization. At the very least, Bartlett Regional Hospital and the Juneau School District will be able to reconcile everything that might remain. Mr. Mertz suggesting changing the parameters of the program by increasing the income level if there are not enough expenditures. Ms. MacVay suggested increasing the payouts. Mr. Mertz suggested considering the additional $1 million as a placeholder item and including this topic as an agenda item at the October 22 meeting. By then, the application should be out and an update may better inform the motion for an additional $1 million in program funding. MOTION WITHDRAWN: The motion to increase funding to the Housing Assistance Program by $1 million was delayed until the October 22 Task Force meeting. Business Stabilization Grants Update Mr. Rogers informed the Task Force that a supplemental grant agreement has been signed, and additional funds are on their way to JEDC. JEDC staff is still reviewing applications, but many of the applicants have received the 75% prepayment authorized by the CBJ. Informational Item: Youth Activities Mr. Mertz introduced Mr. John Blasco, President of Falcons Full Court Club; Ms. Amy Bowers, Representative for Glacier Swim Club; and, Mr. Whit Adams, President of Juneau Soccer Club, who had submitted a letter to the Task Force. Mr. Blasco shared that coaches and youth recreation advocates are increasingly concerned about the minimal social interaction available to children due to online learning and canceled recreation activities. Data across the country shows an increase in mental health issues and substance abuse in children. Bartlett Regional Hospital is reporting an increase in Emergency Department visits from children for substance abuse and depression. Contributing factors include isolation from social support networks and lack of sports. Mr. Blasco stated that he, Ms. Bowers, and Mr. Adams are interested in finding a way for kids to re‐engage safely in activities in gyms, the field house, and the pools. They understand that CARES Act funding for 2020 is almost depleted, but are requesting that, if there were another round of federal stimulus, the Task Force prioritize the support of youth recreation for the health and well‐being of the children in Juneau. Ms. Bowers added that parents are hungry to involve their children in activities. Glacier Swim Club (GSC) is surprised at the demand and their resulting wait lists. Addressing the wait list is challenging due to the limited times and lanes allowed in the pool. Additionally, there are over 500 children not being served in the Fourth Grade Learn to Swim program this year. Expenses for GSC are higher than usual due to expensive protocols with decreased enrollment and fundraising budgets. Mr. Adams stated that the Juneau Soccer Club (JSC) normally hosts 140 to 160 children. In March, all activity ceased. Since then, they have struggled to find coaches, because many former coaches are considered critical workers in the community and cannot be involved with that many children. This week, the JSC is operating in a limited capacity by offering services to 10 to 14‐year‐olds on co‐ed teams. Typically, JSC coaches players from  Page 10 of 36 age 3 to 18. Sadly, this means a large majority of regular soccer players in Juneau do not have access to the sport. Ms. Bell added that from a business perspective, youth activities are struggling financially because many raffle and fundraising events are not happening. If federal funding expands, she supports the idea that this is a real area of concern. Mr. Forst, a parent of a 14‐year‐old, stated that children are struggling with being unable to play sports, attend school in‐person, and have a real social life. Social interaction with parents can get old fast – they need interaction with their peers. He encouraged the Task Force to keep this at the top of their list if additional funding is dispersed. Mr. Mertz expressed his agreement with everyone, adding that he and Mr. Rogers had discussed how hindsight is revealing that this is a big deal. He appreciates the work of the youth activities groups and hopes to be looking at a support package later. Public Comment Matrix Ms. MacVay shared that proponents of the Juneau Lifeline proposal were motivated to submit public comment, and some very moving and informative emails were received. Mr. Forst encouraged the Task Force to read all the letters if they have not already. He relates with many of the frustrations, concerns, and worry found in them, and hopes the Assembly recognizes this as well. Good of the Order Ms. Thomas informed the Task Force that Mr. Bradley Grigg, Chief Behavioral Health Officer from Bartlett Regional Hospital, would be providing updates on the impact of COVID‐19 on children’s mental and behavioral health at the next meeting on October 22. Ms. Thomas also stated that she and Ms. Bell began work on the report of Task Force activities, and are developing a format for everyone to complete. However, she suggested waiting until November due to many programs on the agendas that have time constraints. Mr. Mertz shared that the request for proposals are live for the ArtWorks Program. There is a Q&A meeting at noon on October 15, and proposals are due October 26. It appears there is a huge demand; the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council is receiving a lot of feedback from the Juneau Arts Community. They have even received feedback and enquiry from all over the state, and have had to turn artists away who are not local to Juneau. It appears this program is a good fit and is timely. He will ask Ms. DeCherney, the Executive Director of the Juneau Arts & Humanities Council, to give an update at a future Task Force meeting. Adjourn At 4:49 p.m. the meeting was adjourned.  Page 11 of 36 Potential CBJ Allocation of CARES Act Funds FY21 COVID‐related Emergency Operations, $12,500,000 Business Sustainability Grants ‐ Ph 2 & 3, $8,500,000 FY20 COVID‐related Emergency Operations, $8,000,000 Pending Legislation:, $5,907,400 Wastewater COVID Testing Program, $75,000 AML Supplemental Billing, $130,979 Business Sustainability Grants ‐ Phase 1, Kallaco Company COVID‐19 Detection $3,500,000 Platform, $175,000 Rental Assistance, $200,000 Art Sustainability Grants, $300,000 TJ "Juneau Cares Campaign", $383,775 Non‐Profit Organization Sustainability Grants, $3,000,000 Airlift Northwest Support, $500,000 FY21 JSD RALLY Support, $600,000 Housing Assistance Grants, $3,000,000 FY21 JSD COVID‐19 Related Operations, $700,000 COVID Testing Equipment & Operations, $700,000 Business Sustainability Grants Supplemental Funding ‐ Ph 2 & 3, $2,000,000 Juneau Conservation Corp Program, $1,000,000 Childcare Support, $1,057,000 FY21 JSD CARES Supplemental Request, $1,653,000  Page 12 of 36 Potential CBJ Allocation of CARES Act Funds Appropriation Amount Running Committed: FY21 COVID‐related Emergency Operations $ 12,500,000 Business Sustainability Grants ‐ Ph 2 & 3 $ 8,500,000 FY20 COVID‐related Emergency Operations $ 8,000,000 Business Sustainability Grants ‐ Phase 1 $ 3,500,000 Non‐Profit Organization Sustainability Grants $ 3,000,000 Housing Assistance Grants $ 3,000,000 Business Sustainability Grants Supplemental Funding ‐ Ph 2 & 3 $ 2,000,000 FY21 JSD CARES Supplemental Request $ 1,653,000 Childcare Support $ 1,057,000 Juneau Conservation Corp Program $ 1,000,000 COVID Testing Equipment & Operations $ 700,000 FY21 JSD COVID‐19 Related Operations $ 700,000 FY21 JSD RALLY Support $ 600,000 Airlift Northwest Support $ 500,000 TJ "Juneau Cares Campaign" $ 383,775 Art Sustainability Grants $ 300,000 Rental Assistance $ 200,000 Kallaco Company COVID‐19 Detection Platform $ 175,000 AML Supplemental Billing $ 130,979 Wastewater COVID Testing Program $ 75,000 $ 47,974,754 Pending Legislation: $ 5,907,400 $ 53,882,154 Uncommitted/(Over‐committed) $ (671,212) Total $ 53,210,942  Page 13 of 36 Potential CBJ Allocation of CARES Act Funds ‐ Pending Legislation Extreme Hardship Grants, $2,300,000 FY21 Eaglecrest COVID‐19 Related Operations, $73,100 Southeast Alaska Food Bank Grant, $79,300 St. Vincent de Paul Grant, $85,000 Shepherd of the Valley Grant, $70,000 Family Promise Grant, $300,000 Economic Stimulus Grants, $2,000,000 Housing Assistance Supplemental Grants, $1,000,000  Page 14 of 36 Potential CBJ Allocation of CARES Act Funds ‐ Pending Legislation Appropriation Amount Running Pending Legislation: Extreme Hardship Grants $ 2,300,000 Economic Stimulus Grants $ 2,000,000 Housing Assistance Supplemental Grants $ 1,000,000 Family Promise Grant $ 300,000 Shepherd of the Valley Grant $ 70,000 St. Vincent de Paul Grant $ 85,000 Southeast Alaska Food Bank Grant $ 79,300 FY21 Eaglecrest COVID‐19 Related Operations $ 73,100 $ 5,907,400 Uncommitted/(Over‐committed) $ (671,212) Total CARES Act Funding $ 53,210,942  Page 15 of 36 Presented by: Weldon Presented: 10/26/2020 Drafted by: R. Palmer ORDINANCE OF THE CITY AND BOROUGH OF JUNEAU, ALASKA Serial No. 2020-09(U) vESTF An Ordinance Appropriating up to $2,300,000 to the Manager for a COVID-19 Extreme Hardship Business Grant Program; Funding Provided by the CARES Act Special Revenue Fund. WHEREAS, the Economic Stabilization Task Force recommended that the Assembly consider financial support to businesses disproportionately impacted due to COVID-19; and WHEREAS, on April 9, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) renewed the No Sail Order and Other Measures related to cruise ships to prohibit certain cruise ships from transporting passengers to ports in the United States; and WHEREAS, since early March, 2020, the State of Alaska issued COVID-19 Health Mandates that reasonably restricted travel, gatherings, close personal interactions, schools, and medical and dental procedures; and WHEREAS, since early March 2020, the Assembly issued COVID-19 directions regarding travel quarantines (Res. 2886), hunkering down (Res. 2885), and cloth face coverings (Res. 2890); and WHEREAS, the public health mandates and directions protected the health of the people in the City and Borough of Juneau and nearby communities; and WHEREAS, COVID-19 caused severe economic harm to businesses in the City and Borough of Juneau because people were encouraged to hunker down, businesses were mandated to close or severely limit operations, and nearly all of the forecasted cruise ship tourism has been canceled; and WHEREAS, failing to support businesses that suffered severe loss of revenue would result in further adverse impacts to Juneau’s economic and social service network; and WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Extreme Hardship Business Grant Program is necessary due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID- 19); and  Page 16 of 36 WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Extreme Hardship Business Grant Program is being created by this ordinance and program expenses were not accounted for in the FY20 budget; and WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Extreme Hardship Business Grant Program expenses are incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on December 31, 2020. BE IT ENACTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE CITY AND BOROUGH OF JUNEAU, ALASKA: Section 1. Classification. This ordinance is a noncode ordinance. Section 2. Appropriation. There is appropriated to the Manager the sum of two million and three hundred thousand dollars ($2,300,000) for a COVID-19 Extreme Hardship Business Grant Program. This is an appropriation for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2021. Section 3. Source of Funds: CARES Act Special Revenue Fund $2,300,000 Section 4. COVID-19 Extreme Hardship Business Grant Program. The program is subject to the following terms and conditions: (a) Intent. The intent of this program is to provide support, in addition to the COVID-19 Business Sustainability Grant Program, to businesses that were disproportionately harmed by COVID-19 to offset the following expenses from November 1 through December 30, 2020: payroll, inventory, training, license fees, and fixed costs (lease/rent, utility, long-term debt). (b) Administration. The Manager shall administer the program. The Manager shall provide updates to the Finance Committee or Assembly. (c) Eligible Applicants. The program is open to all qualifying businesses (including a nonprofit), regardless of whether they have applied for or have obtained any other state or federal COVID-19 related assistance if the following is satisfied: (1) Registered in Alaska. The business was registered in Alaska on or before January 1, 2019; (2) Physical Presence. The business had a physical presence in Juneau, Alaska in 2019; (3) Year-round Operations. The business must provide proof of operations in Juneau during Q4 2019 and Q1 2020, which can be verified with box 1 of IRS form 941 or sales tax return; (4) COVID-19 Extreme Hardship. The business suffered at least a fifty percent loss in gross receipts during Q3 2020 as compared with Q3 2019; (5) Anticipated expenses. The applicant must estimate and attest that the following expenses from November 1 through December 30, 2020 exceed -2- Ordinance 2020-09(U) vESTF  Page 17 of 36 the grant request amount: payroll, inventory, insurance, training, license fees, and fixed costs (lease/rent, utility, long-term debt); (6) Payroll Pledge. The applicant must pledge to spend at least thirty percent of the grant proceeds on payroll, including employee benefits. (7) Additional information. The Manager may request additional information from applicants when the application contains insufficient or contradictory information or the Manager may deem the application incomplete. (d) Assertion of Need. An applicant shall disclose if the business has applied for or received any other grant or forgivable loan. An applicant that has received any other grant or forgivable loan must attest that a grant from this program is still necessary to sustain business operations through December 30, 2020. (e) Compliance (1) Sales and property tax compliance. A business with any sales or property tax delinquency as of March 1, 2020, is not eligible for a grant. A business that executes a confession of judgment with the City and Borough of Juneau for all outstanding sales tax deficiencies can be eligible for this program. A business that is fully compliant with a confession of judgment payment plan can be eligible for this program. (2) Federal compliance. No grant may be issued to an applicant that is engaged in business or conduct that violates federal law and any grant so issued must be immediately returned in full. For example, no grant may be issued to an applicant engaged in or conducting a marijuana related business at the same location as the residence. (f) Grant amount. The grant amount shall be determined by the following formula: grant amount equals (the difference in the applicant’s Q3 2019 and Q3 2020 taxable sales divided by the difference in all eligible applicants' Q3 2019 and Q3 2020 taxable sales) multiplied by the appropriation in Section 2. However, no grant shall exceed $50,000; the Manager shall either cap the any presumptive grant exceeding $50,000 at $50,000 or the Manager may apply a reduction factor so no grant exceeds $50,000. (g) Exceptions. Manager has the authority to make reasonable exceptions that match the intent of this grant program. (h) Confidentiality. Except as provided in this legislation, all application material submitted for this program and all information contained therein (Grant Data) shall be kept confidential except for inspection by: (1) Employees and agents of the City and Borough whose job responsibilities are directly related to such applications and information; (2) The business owner, managing member, or equivalent person supplying such application and information; and (3) Court order. -3- Ordinance 2020-09(U) vESTF  Page 18 of 36 However, nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to provide confidentiality to the name of the applicant, address of the applicant, and the amount of grant award, if any. (i) Grant application period. The grant application period shall be two weeks. The Manager shall review applications and notify applicants if the application is incomplete. An applicant with an incomplete application has five business days to cure to keep the original application filing date; otherwise the application must be resubmitted, if at all. Section 5. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective upon adoption. Adopted this _____ day of ____________, 2020. Beth A. Weldon, Mayor Attest: Elizabeth J. McEwen, Municipal Clerk -4- Ordinance 2020-09(U) vESTF  Page 19 of 36 As Drafted: 𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑄3 2019 𝑇𝑎𝑥𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑆𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝐴𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝐸𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠′ 𝑄3 2019 𝑇𝑎𝑥𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑆𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑠 Grant awards shall be adjusted accordingly such that no applicant is awarded a grant of more than $25,000.00 or less than $5,000.00 Jeff’s Recommendation 𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑄3 2019 𝑇𝑎𝑥𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑆𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑄3 2020 𝑇𝑎𝑥𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑆𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝐴𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝐸𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑄3 2019 𝑇𝑎𝑥𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑆𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝐸𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠′ 𝑄3 2020 𝑇𝑎𝑥𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑆𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑠 Grant awards shall be adjusted accordingly such that no applicant is awarded a grant of more than $50,000.00 or less than $500.00  Page 20 of 36 Date: October 21, 2020 From: Linda Thomas, Co-Chair To: Task Force Members for 10/22/20 meeting Re: Nonprofit Grant and Food/Shelter Programs At our last ESTF meeting, there were three food/shelter programs discussed as potential new programs for CARES Act funding. These included a presentation from the following organizations: Family Promise of Juneau for a grant supporting a shelter for homeless families. Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church on behalf of several churches for a safe space program for children Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority for purchase of a building for a youth homeless shelter. We also discussed SE Food Bank potential needs. Subsequent to the meeting, we requested that Juneau Community Foundation send a notice out to other nonprofits that may have additional program needs in the food/shelter program. There were 2 additional requests for funding: St. Vincent DePaul for maintenance to enable additional Covid related housing Glory Hall for health insurance needs due to covid exposure These are listed on the attached summary spreadsheet from Juneau Community Foundation, with supporting documentation also in the packet. We will be updating the status of each of these and requesting recommendations to the Assembly at the 10/22/20 meeting.  Page 21 of 36 New Programs/Projects for Food and Shelter due to COVID Organization Contact Phone Email Project/Program Description Funding Requested Family Promise of Juneau Tari Stage‐Harvey 907‐789‐4093 stageharvey@gmail.com Purchase House for COVID‐19 has limited gathering space, FP operating only out of Chapel $ 300,000.00 Day Center Facility By the Lake. They want to use congregational space for shelter, but need additonal space for daytime activies with families and office space. Purchasing this building will assist families struggling with housing instability and COVID related trauma Saint Vincent de Paul Dave Ringle 97‐321‐7026 dave@svdpjuneau.org Ensuring Housing St. Vincent is critical to providing the continuum of housing in Juneau for $ 85,000.00 Opportunities those who are otherwise homeless. St. Vincent's has recently expereinced unbudgeted additional costs for hot water boiler replacement needs, siding repair, and ventilation improvements. Emergency maintenance is needed. This project is critical to ensuring that the 40 apartments at Strasbaugh and Paul's Place are available during the winter months. Shepard of the Valley Church Tari Stage‐Harvey 907‐789‐4093 stageharvey@gmail.com Safe Space for Churches will be opend 7:30‐3:30 M, T, Th, F for up to 20 youth each. $ 54,940.00 Schooling3‐4 Provides safe place, internet access, educational assistance, activities, Churches Hosting breakfast & lunch. Shepherd of the Valley has run program for 3 weeks Youth during Day 13‐20 youth per day. Juneau Christian Center & Resurrection Lutheran opening this week. Douglas Community Methodist Church evaluating. Funding requested is for these four sites. They have received $80,000 from AK Comm Foundation CARES Act grants (state DHHS funding) to cover a portion of the costs of this program. Southeast Alaska Food Bank Dave Lefebvre southeastfoodbank@acsalaska.net Food Purchase $94,300 requested by the Southeast Food Bank to rent two heated $ 94,300.00 storage spaces for November/December ($650/mo.) to store six months of nonperishable food for the Food Bank ($10,000/mo.), and six months of nonperishable food for the weekend backpack student program (est. $5,500/mo.). Food would be purchased to meet the CARES Act deadline at the end of December 2020. The Glory Hall Mariya Lovishchuk 957‐2885 lovishchuk.mariya@gmail.com Health Insurance Glory Hall employees interact directly with patrons who have been $ 260,000.00 for Employees exposed and/or are positive for COVID.. Providing these employees with health insurance is necessary during the pandemic and critical for maintaining these front line workers. The request will cover 23 employees for one year.  Page 22 of 36 New Programs/Projects for Food and Shelter due to COVID Organization Contact Phone Email Project/Program Description Funding Requested Tlingit and Haida Regional Jackie Pata 202‐277‐9146 jpata@thrha.org Youth Emergncy Currently there is no emergency housing for unaccompanied homeless $ 925,000.00 Housing Authority Shelther at 9290 youth in Juneau. COVID‐19 has decreased options for many youth, Hurlock Avenue staying with family or friends (couch surfing) is often not possible. With no sfe option, young people must make choices that often compromise their health and safety. Zach Gordon reports that last summer they had 5 homless youth, this past summer they saw 25. The need for a youth shelter is the number one priority of the Juneau Coalition on Housing and Homelessness. This Hurlock property has received a conditional use permit, was operated as a youth shelter in the past, and provides the rooms needed for both youth in need and overnight staffing. Zach Gordon secured funds to operate the youth emergency shelter (approx. $600,000), but need the Hurlock property to make it happen and get youth housed by the end of November otherwise they must give the funds back. We are in discussions about what is the minimum work needed to have youth move in by the CBJ end of November deadline. $400,000 is a placeholder until we have a better number. Total $ 1,719,240.00 Juneau Coalition on Housing and Homelessness Priorities Top Priority: THRHA ‐ Youth Emergency Shelter at 9290 Hurlock Avenue Supported by JCHH Membership St. Vincent de Paul Shelter Repairs Family Promise Day Center The Glory Hall Health Insurance  Page 23 of 36 Family Promise of Juneau request for $300,000 for Day Center Facility Family Promise of Juneau interrupts the trauma of family homelessness by providing shelter and wraparound services to families so they may move into sustainable housing. The COVID-19 pandemic closed the congregations where we normally shelter families. We are currently doubled up at Chapel by the Lake with our day center and shelter for two families. Consequences of COVID-19 to mitigate: -Normal capacity of four families is reduced to two because of limited space (moving the day center opens two more classrooms for hosting families until Chapel wants that space back or other congregations are prepared to host again) -Day center and shelter at Chapel are at risk as Chapel by the Lake opens and wants to return to the expanded space they let us use temporarily -We have increased staff to deal with increased demand as we seek to keep people housed through our homeless prevention program and that has made sharing office space a necessity A permanent building for our day center is an appropriate use of CARES funds because as it says in the AK Community Foundation Grant site: Other • Prioritize childcare and summer programs that will ▪!Other expenses enable parents/caregivers to return to work. expenses reasonably necessary • !Prioritize organizations working under increased reasonably that can be tied back pressure due to the impacts of COVID-19 to prevent necessary to COVID-19. domestic violence and child abuse. -The day center provides a place where parents/caregivers who are experiencing homelessness can maintain working while making sure their children’s needs are met -The day center is the space where the staff encourages families through the increased pressure and impacts of COVID-19 on top of homelessness We would be able to move quickly on a purchase and the building is ready to move into right away. Since we are not housing families overnight, the permit process is much easier. AWARE and St. Vincent’s support the proposal. Request for $300,000. Benito and Frances C. Gaguine Foundation has committed to $50,000. Property is located at 2221 Jordan Creek and should not require a conditional use permit. Thank you, Tari Stage-Harvey Board Chair, Family Promise of Juneau  Page 24 of 36 St. Vincent de Paul – Funding for Ensuring Housing Units are Available St. Vincent de Paul operates 101 units of low income housing within the Juneau community. Paul’s Place, Strasbaugh, and HillView apartments are LIHTC apartments with strict income limits and requirements to serve the neediest of our community. The Teal Street shelter has 26 units of transitional housing, 13 for families and 13 for individuals. Ages in our shelter currently range from 3 months to 89 years old. Agreements are limited to two years. Attendance in the shelter can range from 45 to 70 people. These units are for people fresh off the streets and homeless. They have an agreement to follow month by month that includes chores, no violence, no substance abuse, and over the course of 10 years over 500 homeless individuals will be served in the shelter alone. Many will transition into other housing units. COVID has added extra turnover for several reasons. Some large families who have stabilized while living in our shelter have found regular rental options. The stress of the pandemic has led some individuals to return to old unhealthy habits, which has led to greater turnover in the shelter and increased maintenance expenses as we are having greater room damage in some cases. Over the summer we added three homeless couples with newborn infants, at least four homeless adults who had previously been at the Warming Shelter, including an 89-year-old woman, and four seniors into our senior housing unit. Twenty-five-year-old buildings also have maintenance repairs that are necessary to continue housing. The challenges of maintaining these units is daunting. In the last month we have had two water heaters fail. One, located at Strasbaugh Apartments, is currently replaced by an older version while the replacement is ordered at a cost of $9500. A second oil-fired water heater had a pump overflow valve malfunction that led to a significant oil spill. We are in the middle of spill mitigation and need to convert the water heater to electric. This water heater heats 7 units in Paul’s Place and 13 units of our shelter as well as 2 kitchens, 2 laundry facilities and a shower facility. Replacing this water heater is estimated to cost $9500 as well. Next to the water heater utility room is siding that one can stick a finger through. We have taken steps to repair the siding, but to replace the worst of the siding left is estimated at $48000. We already have had two construction companies look at this siding and are awaiting bids. There is also some important ventilation improvement needed, both to improve the airflow within kitchens and shared common areas, where improperly installed vents were once an inconvenience but are now a health hazard. We had a recent rainstorm that deposited a significant amount of rain into our attic and would have ruined a newly renovated apartment if not for the quick actions of our maintenance workers who live on site. Ventilation repairs are estimated at $18,000. Improving airflow will prevent the unnecessary spread of disease within our shelter These repairs will allow 40 units to remain occupied, most of which are occupied by recently homeless or people who would otherwise be homeless. All these actions can be completed before December 31, 2020.  Page 25 of 36 Safe Space for Schooling We are requesting CARES funds for a "Safe Space for Schooling" program hosted at three or four different congregations for the first semester of school in Juneau. We have received $80,000 from Alaska Community Foundation. That was half of our request/ need because our initial request was for the first quarter and it is now apparent we will run the first semester. We are requesting $70,000 from CBJ CARES funds Spending time with youth during the pandemic revealed to us some needs not being met: -Safe space -Human interaction -Assistance and encouragement with learning -Consistent WiFi access -A reason to get out of bed and get dressed -Play -Food We know that older siblings are watching younger ones. This was difficult enough during the summer, but trying to do school and tend younger siblings seems impossible. The pandemic has stressed youth and their families greatly. Juneau School District will be distance learning. There will be some concessions made for especially vulnerable youth to learn on-site at the schools, but there are many more youth whose lives are in disarray because of the pandemic and need to be in a safe space. We have now run a Safe Space for Schooling program at Shepherd of the Valley for three weeks with an average of 13-20 youth a day. Juneau Christian Center and Resurrection Lutheran are committed to opening on Thursday, October 22. Douglas Methodist is in the final stages of approval from their regional superintendent. We now have a better idea of funds needed to actually run this program. The spaces will be open from 7:30 am-3:30 pm Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday for up to 20 youth. We will serve breakfast and lunch. Because of our interactions with children during the pandemic, we have seen their precarious situation. Our Safe Space for Schools addresses enabling parents/ caregivers to return to work and prevents child neglect/abuse. Shepherd of the Valley budget (Accountant and insurance are to cover all sites): Accountant $640 Insurance $500 Payroll $24,839 Utilities $1600 Food $8000  Page 26 of 36 Safe Space for Schooling Internet $2500 Air purifier $399 Headsets $450 Total for 11 weeks $38,928  Page 27 of 36 Safe Space for Schooling Resurrection Budget Cost per Program Week Total Supervisor (32 hrs a week @ $20) $540.00 5,120.00 Staff Members (3 x 30 hrs a week @ $16) $1,440.00 11,520.00 Internet ($500) $500.00 4,000.00 Food (Breakfast & Lunch) $200.00 1,600, 00 Deep cleaning (x2) $300.00 2,400, 00 Recertification of RLC Kitchen $ 1,000.00 Carpet Cleaning (2x) $ 500.00 Staff Computer $ 700.00 Program Printer $ 500.00 Mesh Router $ 800.00 Air Cleaner $ 1,000.00 Program mini-fridge $ 300.00 Shelving, storage boxes, $ 500.00 Operating Total $2,088.00 29,940.00 Refurbishment of RLC Downstairs Hall and 25,000.00 Scout Room TOTAL 54,940.00 We are waiting to hear from Douglas Methodist, but want to assume at least a $20,000 budget.  Page 28 of 36 The Glory Hall Health Insurance for TGH Employees Health Insurance for employees has been an ongoing organizational priority and challenge for the Glory Hall. The Glory Hall does not offer employees health insurance. This results in employees leaving often for other jobs which do offer health insurance as well as in recruitment difficulties. Providing employees with health insurance during the time of the pandemic is critical. Glory Hall employees interact directly with the patrons inside the Glory Hall facility, inside the Housing First Facility, outside of the hotel used for quarantine and isolation, while delivering Juneau medical respite meals, and while providing other support to individuals experiencing or in danger of homelessness such bringing individuals to get IDs to appointments, etc. $260,000 is needed to provide coverage to 23 employees. The Glory Hall has been working with Shattuck and Grummet to determine coverage costs and levels. The process of determining insurance numbers has been complicated by trying to ensure that current employees with other coverage will not lose coverage superior to what the Glory Hall can offer as a result of the Glory Hall offering insurance and weighing what is being offered through the Affordable Health Care Act and ensuing that coverage can match what employees can purchase on the market place as well as comparing employee tax subsidies to insurance and wages. Overall, it seems clear that offering health insurance is necessary to operate during the pandemic and generally.  Page 29 of 36 October 20, 2020 Economic Stabilization Task Force City and Bureau of Juneau (CBJ) 155 S. Seward Street Juneau, AK 99801 Re: Updated CARES Act funding request Dear Task Force, Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority (THRHA) is requesting COVID-19 funding from the CBJ for renovations to the property located at 9290 Hurlock in order for it to be used to house homeless youth unable to find safe shelter during this pandemic. As you know, THRHA is working with the CBJ and Alaska Legacy Partners to transfer ownership of this property back to the CBJ to be operated by THRHA under a long term lease to provide housing for youth in need of transitional housing. However, given the current increasing COVID numbers and the cold weather, this shelter needs to open as soon as possible and before year end. Our conditional use permit was approved at the October 13th CBJ Planning Commission meeting and we have included their required provisions in our proposal. Juneau has been without an emergency youth shelter for the past year. In and of itself this presents many safety issues for youth; however, these issues have been exacerbated by the global pandemic we find ourselves living in. Access to safe emergency shelter for youth is now more critical than ever. Many homeless youths hopping from place to place, staying with friends and strangers who may put them in unsafe situations, and bartering with their lives for a place to stay. The pandemic has made this type of “couch surfing” considerably less safe and many previously safe places to stay are no longer willing to let a youth crash on their couch due to social distancing needs. Because of this, we are already seeing an increase in teens using adult shelter spaces that are simply not safe or appropriate for them. We anticipate this need increasing as the social and economic impacts of the pandemic continue to hit our community. According to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, youth experiencing homelessness have a higher risk of being in a gang, using heroin, feeling depressed, attempting suicide, or experiencing trauma and violence than their housed counterparts. There is no official census that has been conducted to determine the total number of runaway and homeless youth (RHY) in Juneau. The Juneau School District has consistently reported between 100-150 identified homeless students for the past several school years. A recent change in the McKinney Vento definitions lowered this number in the 2019-2020 school year to 85. This number is a known dramatic undercount of the RHY population in school. The school numbers also do not take into account youth who have dropped out or been expelled. We know the ratio of RHY in this population to be significantly higher than for those attending school, due to the social and economic hardships associated with high-school dropouts. Zach Gordon Youth Center (ZGYC) provides outreach and navigation support to homeless teens and averages 40-60 teens annually, many of whom are not in school, again, we expect this number to rise in light of the economic impacts of the pandemic. During the period of June 1 – October 1, 2020 the outreach staff at ZGYC has seen six times the number of youth over last year, with 25 youth under the age of 20 who were homeless or at immediate risk of homelessness. By contrast, in 2019 for the same period, staff were working with four youth who fit this category. This pandemic is having an immediate and real impact on Juneau’s youth.  Page 30 of 36 Our target population for the shelter includes RHY ages 10 to 18. Currently, RHY spend time at ZGYC for meals and support, but most couch surf. The primary goal of the shelter is to provide RHY with immediate access to shelter and comprehensive services to maximize their safety, well-being, self-sufficiency, and adult permanent connections. Our shelter services will include emergency shelter, food, clothing for up to 21 days, counseling and support services, referrals, and aftercare—all within a Culturally Responsive, Trauma Informed, and Positive Youth Development framework. Each youth will receive an initial health and safety screening and assessment, an individualized plan of care, counseling, and support services. We will actively engage parents and legal guardians, and provide family mediation to facilitate re-unification. Youth will receive educational and employment supports, skill development in areas such as basic living skills, anger management/positive communications, and substance abuse education. Youth will also receive referrals for behavioral health treatment as needed. The ZGYC drop-in center, which is already a popular place for RHY youth to spend time, will provide critical support pre and post discharge as well as serve as a place of intake. In order to provide the above services in a safe environment during this pandemic, updates to the building will include remodeling bedrooms to be single occupancy spaces in order to meet social distancing needs. Staff offices and youth congregate areas will be designed for social distancing needs as well. The building needs some repair work before it can be occupied. There is rot that needs to be repaired, and the roof ultimately needs to be replaced. The cost of replacing the roof and trusses on only the main building is $500,000. The are plumbing and electrical repairs needed, and the bathroom and kitchen need to be converted to ADA accessible. The budget for the renovation is $910,580. We have already applied for and received a HUD CARES Act grant for part of the renovations that must be expended by 6/30/21. We have applied to the Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) for funding and are awaiting their decision. The ACF funds cannot be used for the roof replacement. The operations will be funded by the HUD Youth Homeless Demonstration Program grant. We plan to be operating and housing youth by the end of the year. Project Funding Summary: Reimburse Alaska Legacy Partners $165,000 Renovations $910,580 HUD CARES Act grant received $150,000 Funds remaining to be secured $925,580 THRHA is committed to the housing needs of Juneau and the outlying communities in Southeast and believes this proposal is a step in the right direction not only for the Hurlock property but for CBJ to address the needs of our homeless youth during this pandemic. Please feel free to reach out directly to me at jpata@thrha.org or 202-277-9146 with questions or concerns. We look forward to the CBJ’s response. Sincerely, Jacqueline Pata President/CEO Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority  Page 31 of 36 Juneau Economic Stabilization Task 155 S. Seward St. Juneau, AK 99801 October 12, 2020 Dear Ms. Thomas, Mr. Mertz, and Task Force Members, The Juneau Coalition on Housing and Homelessness (JCHH) would like to voice support for several projects under consideration at the Juneau Economic Stabilization Task Force. These projects fill gaps exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we believe fit the criteria for CARES Act funding. They also serve Juneau’s most vulnerable populations, and those hit hardest by the trauma of COVID. The JCHH determined the Youth Emergency Shelter is our top priority: Tlingit and Haida Regional Housing Authority’s Youth Emergency Shelter at 9290 Hurlock Ave. The JCHH has prioritized this project as there are currently no emergency shelter facilities for unaccompanied minors in Juneau. COVID-19 has decreased options for many young people; staying with friends or family is often not possible. Homeless youth are forced to access adult shelters, which are unable to accommodate their age group and can expose vulnerable young people to increased risks. In the face of no safe option, youth must make terrible choices that often compromise their safety in order to have a place to stay. The following projects are also important in order to safeguard those experiencing homelessness as winter approaches and as the pandemic continues to threaten health and wellness. These projects are not in a priority order, but all have the support of our membership. St. Vincent de Paul Teal St. Shelter Repairs. Emergency maintenance is required at the SVdP Shelter facility. SVdP needs to replace two water heaters that failed in the last month, fix inadequate siding, and make additional ventilation repairs. Without these repairs, 40 housing units may not be available for recently homeless individuals, including at least 8 people who have transitioned directly from the streets and the Warming Shelter this summer. Family Promise Day Center. The COVID-19 pandemic limited gathering spaces within congregational spaces, and Family Promise has been operating solely out of Chapel By The Lake, relying on this one facility for day activities, office space, and shelter. Family Promise wants to continue to responsibly utilize congregational spaces for shelter, but requires additional space for daytime activities with families and office space. This request will build in additional resources for Juneau families already struggling with housing instability and COVID related trauma.  Page 32 of 36 The Glory Hall (TGH) Health Insurance. Health Insurance for employees has been an ongoing organizational priority and challenge for the Glory Hall. The Glory Hall does not offer employees health insurance. This results in employees leaving for other jobs which do offer health insurance as well as in recruitment difficulties. Providing employees with health insurance during the time of the pandemic is critical. Glory Hall employees interact directly with the patrons who have been exposed and/or are positive for COVID. They work inside the Glory Hall facility, inside the Housing First Facility, outside of the hotel used for quarantine and isolation while delivering Juneau medical respite meals, and while providing other support to individuals experiencing homelessness. It has become clear that offering health insurance is necessary to operate during the pandemic. The JCHH is proud to be member-led coalition that values cooperation among providers and community members. We are enthusiastic about these projects because they help provide vulnerable families and youth with food and shelter, which we believe to be basic human rights. COVID has made so many things more difficult for our community; we urge you to consider using CARES funding to help ensure safety for those most in need. Sincerely, Gus Marx, JCHH Co-Chair  Page 33 of 36 MEMORANDUM DATE: October 22, 2020 TO: Assembly and Economic Stabilization Task Force 155 Municipal Way Juneau, AK 99801 FROM: Jeff Rogers, Finance Director Phone: (907) 586-5215 Fax: (907) 586-0358 SUBJECT: CARES Funds for Family Promise Day Shelter As I understand, Family Promise proposes to purchase a facility that it would use as office space and as a day shelter for vulnerable families. Family Promise currently operates their office space and a four room overnight shelter for vulnerable families at Chapel by the Lake. Prior to the pandemic, four families occupied those four rooms. In order to increase social distancing with the onset of COVID-19, Family Promise limited its four rooms at Chapel by the Lake to two families—effectively decreasing the amount of sheltering it could provide while also maintaining office space to continue addressing social service and case management needs. In its proposal to purchase a day shelter and office space facility, Family Promise indicates that having access to the new facility would allow it to return to having four families in its four rooms at Chapel by the Lake—effectively increasing the amount of sheltering it can provide. The question at hand is whether or not the purchase of a facility for day sheltering—which also induces additional sheltering at another facility—is eligible for CARES Act funding. The current US Treasury guidance on the CARES Act lays out three primary principles for eligibility. To be eligible, expenditures must cover costs that: 1. are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19); 2. were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020 (the date of enactment of the CARES Act) for the State or government; and 3. were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on December 30, 2020 Additionally, the guidance makes only one direct reference to eligible expenditures related to unsheltered populations: “Expenses for care for homeless populations provided to mitigate COVID-19 effects and enable compliance with COVID-19 public health precautions.” The US Treasury CARES FAQ does not mention sheltering or unsheltered populations. To date, CBJ has interpreted the guidance to indicate that the cost of sheltering of vulnerable populations between March 1 and December 30 is an eligible expense for CARES Act funds. CBJ has assumed that costs for sheltering are broadly eligible, and staff have not undertaken any specific effort to determine which kinds of sheltering costs are eligible and which are not. The newest version of the US Treasure CARES FAQ, released October 19, does clarify eligibility of expenditures for the acquisition and improvement of real property. It reads as follows: May payments from the Fund be used for real property acquisition and improvements and to purchase equipment to address the COVID-19 public health emergency? The expenses of acquiring or improving real property and of acquiring equipment (e.g., vehicles) may be covered with payments from the Fund in certain cases. For example, Treasury’s initial guidance referenced coverage of the costs of establishing temporary public medical facilities and other measures to increase COVID-19 treatment capacity, including related construction costs, as an eligible use of funds. Any such use must be consistent with the requirements of section 601(d) of the Social Security Act as added by the CARES Act.  Page 34 of 36 As with all uses of payments from the Fund, the use of payments to acquire or improve property is limited to that which is necessary due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. In the context of acquisitions of real estate and acquisitions of equipment, this means that the acquisition itself must be necessary. In particular, a government must (i) determine that it is not able to meet the need arising from the public health emergency in a cost-effective manner by leasing property or equipment or by improving property already owned and (ii) maintain documentation to support this determination. Likewise, an improvement, such as the installation of modifications to permit social distancing, would need to be determined to be necessary to address the COVID-19 public health emergency. Previous guidance regarding the requirement that payments from the Fund may only be used to cover costs that were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on December 30, 2020 focused on the acquisition of goods and services and leases of real property and equipment, but the same principles apply to acquisitions and improvements of real property and acquisitions of equipment. Such acquisitions and improvements must be completed and the acquired or improved property or acquisition of equipment be put to use in service of the COVID-19-related use for which it was acquired or improved by December 30. Finally, as with all costs covered with payments from the Fund, such costs must not have been previously accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020. The Assembly may choose to endorse the Family Promise request and appropriate CARES Act funds upon a finding that it meets the eligibility criteria above. However, such a decision would not be without risk that this expenditure might be determined ineligible by the State of Alaska or the Federal Government—likely through the single audit process. In that case, if this expenditure were found ineligible, CBJ would be required to repay the ineligible expenditures from general funds. This risk could be shifted to Family Promise through the grant agreement, which could require Family Promise to return the funds if the expenditure is ever determined to be ineligible for CARES Act funding. If the Assembly does not want to shift the risk onto Family Promise, the Assembly could consider this request as a general fund request for which CBJ will attempt to seek CARES reimbursement. If the Family Promise expenditure is eligible for CARES, then it will be funded as such. If it is determined to be ineligible, then principally the Assembly has already determined that it warrants a general fund expenditure anyway.  Page 35 of 36 MEP “Manufacturing Your Online Market” Program The Alaska MEP is seeking sponsorship from the City and Borough of Juneau for our new Manufacturing E‐Commerce Marketing program. Background: In response to COVID‐19, the Alaska Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Alaska MEP) has developed a Manufacturing E‐Commerce Marketing program. This program assists manufacturers in adapting to the rapid movement to e‐commerce for all businesses – including those who sell business‐to‐business – due to health mandates and general reduced foot traffic in brick and mortar manufacturing retail locations. Additionally, it is designed to help manufacturers whose goods are typically sold to tourists or those who have pivoted to producing PPE and now need to market to a new clientele. We need to help these businesses retain their original market and connect with new markets if we are to hope that they will be around after this is all over. The three‐step program can be delivered virtually to reduce the spread of COVID‐19 while jumpstarting our Economic Restart and Recovery! Deliverables and Timeline: The program costs $400/ business (they can have as many employees participate as they'd like), and we are looking for entities that are invested in the success of manufacturers in their area to cover the cost on behalf of the manufacturers. Our manufacturers across Alaska are struggling right now, and we hate to ask them to bear the cost even of a valuable program. The program has three steps: 1. Help manufacturers build and e‐commerce platform or improve the one they have. (2 one‐hour webinars that guide you through the building or improving your existing e‐ commerce platform) 2. A package of 4 marketing webinars that they can progress through at their own paced. (4 hours) 3. An hour one‐on‐one with a marketing specialist to get customized help to connect with new customers and reconnect with previous customers (additional time available at a discount through the MEP) Recruitment of CBJ manufacturers will begin November 1st with the first businesses beginning the program immediately after signing up in November. The Alaska MEP will continue to recruit and assist companies through this program through July of 2021. Sponsorship options include: Sponsorship of 10 businesses at $4,000 Sponsorship of 24 businesses at $9,600 Sponsorship of 25 businesses at $10,000 Sponsorship of 40 businesses at $25,000  Page 36 of 36 Manufacturing Your Online Market In response to the challenges brought on by COVID-19, the Alaska MEP is excited to launch our brand new marketing workshop designed to get you online and connected with clients in three easy steps. 1 2 3 Build E-Commerce Site Marketing 101 Marketing Professional Access to step by step Access to a four-part Receive a one-hour video instructions on how webinar series that covers consultation to discuss to build or make updates all the need to know your specific business to your existing e- marketing basics to help questions with a marketing commerce website. you have a successful professional. launch online. For additional information on the workshop and how to join, please contact our Client Services Manager. Contact us Alyssa Rodrigues, Ph.D Sami Jo Lewis Director, the Alaska MEP Client Services Manager Avshanks01@alaska.edu Sjbailey4@alaska.edu The Go-To Experts for Advancing Alaska Manufacturing The Alaska Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center (Alaska-MEP.com) serves manufacturers seeking to improve the quality, productivity, and competitiveness of their operations. With Alaska MEP's guidance, Alaska's manufacturing sector is growing one manufacturer at a time, helping to strengthen and diversify Alaska's economy. Type something Made with