Agenda Information Sheet
DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
CM/ ACM: John Cabrales, Jr.
Date: September 16, 2013
SUBJECT
Title
Consider authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement and approve a grant application with Royal Seafood LLC, dba Hoochie's Oyster House, represented by Sam Solomon, 214 E. Hickory Street, from the Downtown Reinvestment Grant Program not to exceed $5,000; and providing for an effective date. The Downtown Task Force recommends approval (11-0).
Body
BACKGROUND
On April 3, 2007, the City Council adopted the Downtown Incentive Reimbursement Grant Program. On January 10, 2012, City Council approved some changes to the grant program. Major changes included changing the name to "Downtown Reinvestment Grant Program," and giving the Downtown Task Force the authority to recommend approval of grants of $10,000 and less to the City Manager, instead of going to the Task Force, EDPB and then Council.
One of the three partners in Hoochie's Oyster House is Councilman Joey Hawkins. Although this grant is under the $10,000 benchmark for City Council approval, in the interest of transparency, we ask that City Council authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement approving this grant application for $5,000.
Applicants: Royal Seafood, LLC, represented by Sam Solomon
The owners of Hoochie's Oyster House applied for a Downtown reimbursement Grant on April 30, 2014. The Downtown Task Force reviewed the grant on August 14, 2014 and recommend approval 11-0.
RECOMMENDATION
The Downtown Task Force recommends approval 11-0. The City Manager recommends approval.
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
The project is completed.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (Council, Boards, Commissions)
On August 14, 2014, the Downtown Task Force reviewed the grant application and recommended a grant in the amount of $5,000 for façade improvements, signs, and awnings. The motion was approved 11-0.
FISCAL INFORMATION
The total cost of the project is $165,000. A $5,000 grant represents a return on investment of $1:$33.
EXHIBITS
Excerpt from Downtown Task Force Minutes
Grant application
Agreement
Respectfully submitted:
Aimee Bissett
Director, Economic Development
Prepared by:
Julie Glover
Economic Development Program Administrator