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23-1631 Establishing a Small Business Improvement Grant Program RESOLUTION NO. 23-1631 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LONGWOOD, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR A SMALL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM; REPEALING RESOLUTION 19-1513; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE WHEREAS, the City wishes to establish the Small Business Improvement Grant Program in order to improve certain buildings along key commercial corridors within the City, promote and attract businesses, and act as a catalyst to further investment, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LONGWOOD, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: SECTION I. That a "Small Business Improvement Grant Program" as set forth in "Exhibit A," which is hereto attached as if fully contained herein, be adopted. SECTION II. That Resolution 19-1513 establishing a "Facade Improvement Grant Program" hereby be repealed. SECTION III. Conflicts. All Resolutions or parts of Resolutions in conflict with any of the provisions of this Resolution are hereby repealed. SECTION IV. Severability. If any Section or portion of a Section of this Resolution proves to be invalid, unlawful, or unconstitutional, it shall not be held to invalidate or impair the validity, force, or effect of any other Section or part of this Resolution. SECTION V. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and adoption. PASSED and ADOPTED this 19th day of June, 2023. CITY OF LONGWOOD, FLORIDA gaiA__ TONY BpN , MAYOR Resolution No.23-1631 Page 1 of 2 ATTEST: 7 ,, /7 MICHELLE LONGO, MMC, FCRM, CITY CLERK Approved as to form and legality for the use and reliance of the City of Longwood, Florida, 0 DANIEL W. G , ..,i:•RNEY Resolution No.23-1631 Page 2 of 2 Resolution 23-1631 - Exhibit A Small Business Improvement LoNGwo<> - Grant Program Flotidn The City of Longwood has established the Small Business Improvement Grant Program to facilitate the attraction and retention of certain qualifying small businesses. In particular, the grant is intended to support small businesses and entrepreneurs by providing financial assistance to overcome hurdles related to opening a business or to make improvements that will help an existing business grow in the City of Longwood, with an emphasis on those improvements that will run with the building and support future users. This grant is given at the sole discretion of the City of Longwood, and these criteria are used as a base to evaluate the applicant's project and do not create an entitlement to funding. Eligible Businesses • Start-ups, expansions of existing Longwood businesses, or local chains that have their corporate headquarters in Central Florida and do not currently have a location in Longwood, including: o Restaurants o Bakeries o Coffee shops/Ice cream parlors Eligible Improvements • Permanent improvements necessary to make an existing unit or building compliant for a qualifying use, including: o Fire alarm or sprinkler/fire suppression systems required by law for the safe operation of the qualifying use o Firewall construction required by law for the safe operation of the qualifying use o Air conditioning system improvements o Electrical improvements related specifically to the conversion of an existing unit into a qualifying use o Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) required improvements including wheelchair access and bathroom accessibility improvements • Permanent,decorative facade or exterior improvements, including: o Expansion of an existing qualifying business o Facade improvements including the installation of decorative (brick or stone veneer or similar) siding, significant architectural detail elements, decorative exterior lighting, display windows,canopies, and/or awnings. • The project cost may include the cost of painting the building in association with other improvements, but painting alone is not a qualifying improvement. Resolution 23-1631- Exhibit A Resolution 23-1631 - Exhibit A o Permanent improvements associated with a code-compliant outdoor seating area. Application Process • Applicants are required to schedule a free Pre-Application meeting with staff prior to submitting an application to discuss the project scope and help identify potential costs. • Applicants shall submit a completed application on a form prepared by the Community Development Department and modified from time to time as needed, to include at a minimum: o A business plan o Written scope of work o Detailed narrative describing how the project meets the project guidelines and scoring criteria o Cost estimate(s) for the proposed work from a qualified contractor o Plans,drawings, or renderings as applicable o Other documentation as requested by staff to sufficiently consider the application • The grant applicant must be a property owner, or a business owner leasing a storefront with the permission of the property owner. o If the applicant is a tenant,the deeded owner must provide a notarized affidavit consenting to the work and grant application. • Applicants shall factor in at least 30 days of review time for the application process into their project schedule,though most applications will not require that much time. • The application will be reviewed by a committee of City staff that will recommend action based on the consistency of the proposal with these guidelines. o Grant applications may be rejected for insufficient information provided prior to the convening of a staff committee. o The Community Development Director will consider the recommendation of the committee and the combined average score and decide to approve, approve at a lower amount than requested or with conditions, or deny the application. ■ The Community Development Director may consider minor deviations to specific guidelines if that action is deemed in the best interest of the overall intent of the program. o The decision of the Community Development Director may be appealed to the City Commission for consideration at a future City Commission meeting. • For an approved application, a grant agreement will be provided to the applicant. Once signed, the applicant can begin work. By applying to the program, the applicant agrees that they are responsible to ensure that all necessary permits for the project are secured before work begins. • All work must be completed within 6 months of the signed grant agreement. Funding and Reimbursement Resolution 23-1631- Exhibit A Resolution 23-1631 - Exhibit A • Grants provided are reimbursement grants, such grants being a cash match for funds disbursed by an applicant. o In-kind contributions may not be used by an applicant for matching funds. Only the applicant's cash expenditures may be used as a grant match. • Funds are not guaranteed in any way and applicants should not rely upon grant funding until the City specifically approves the request and a grant agreement is signed. • The grant agreement must be executed before any improvements are made. • Funding availability is contingent on annual budget approval, and funds will be disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis. Once all fiscal-year funds have been expended, no further applications for that year will be accepted until October 1st of the next fiscal year. • Reimbursement of funds takes approximately 30-60 calendar days once copies of all paid invoices, cancelled checks and photos of completed project, are received. • The City reserves the right to refuse reimbursements in whole or in part for work that is not completed within 6 months of the signed grant agreement,or if the work is completed in a manner that is inconsistent with the approved scope. o Requests for extensions will be considered only if made in writing no less than 14 days prior to the deadline and where progress towards completion has been demonstrated. Additional Terms and Conditions • The applicant will, upon request of the City, display a sign provided by the City indicating the business' participation in this program for at least 30 days. • All contractors will be insured and licensed by the State of Florida. • All construction contracts will be between the applicant and contractor. • A successful applicant may not apply again for five years after the grant agreement date. • Business and/or property owners that have an ongoing lawsuit or are in any way parties to litigation against the City of Longwood are not eligible. Resolution 23-1631- Exhibit A Resolution 23-1631 - Exhibit A Baseline Eligibility The proposed business is located in the City of Longwood and Applicant Staff allowed by right in the Zoning District and requires no additional Initial Initial land use approvals. The application and proposal are both consistent with all program guidelines,terms, and conditions. The applicant has held a Pre-Development Inquiry Session to discuss the project and associated steps and costs. The project is a qualified use as described in the Program Resolution. The project adheres to established architectural and site design guidelines, including style, color and features. The project is for either a business that is either new to Longwood, re-locating within Longwood, or proposing an expansion of an existing qualifying business. The project is not a major national corporate chain, but may be a local chain that has their corporate headquarters in Central Florida and does not currently have a location in Longwood. The project includes either indoor or outdoor seating areas for customers. The applicant and property owner have no outstanding code compliance violations or liens, have a valid Business Tax Receipt at the time of application where applicable, and are current on property taxes and City utility fees. The total project cost exceeds$2,500 of eligible improvements. Resolution 23-1631- Exhibit A Resolution 23-1631 - Exhibit A Scoring Criteria Reviewers shall score proposals based on how closely the application meets the highest intent of each category.An application must receive a total score of 42 points to be eligible for funding,with no individual score having less than 60%of the maximum points for the category. Quality of business plan. Reviewer Category • The applicant's team has acted in good faith and has provided a Score Max thorough,well-considered,and viable business plan that appears to be consistent with or improves the commercial character of the City of Longwood. • The highest scoring projects shall demonstrate an advanced level of /15 understanding of the projected costs of the venture and market conditions in a manner that warrants additional investment by the City through this program. Location. • The location is suitable and appropriate for the proposed business and is consistent with other City goals, including the activation of the Historic District and SunRail areas. • The location has a reasonable expectation for success the use is compatible with adjacent existing businesses and residential (if /15 applicable). • The project activates an underutilized site with high potential for success. • The project has a high likelihood of inspiring other adjacent improvements. Cost effectiveness. • The scope and cost of the project is appropriate and generally represents an acceptable and expected market value for the work /10 • The applicant has selected a contractor apparently capable of completing the scope of work provided. Internal Improvements Only* • The improvements are permanent in nature, unlikely to be removed in the near future, and significantly exceed general repair and maintenance. • The improvements are related directly to Building Code requirements (including ADA requirements)that are generated by the qualifying use selecting the proposed location. /15 • The improvements are general enough to sustain the City's investment and realistically benefit future businesses including similar uses should the applicant relocate in the future. For example: the opening of a restaurant in a particular unit necessitates an improved firewall or ADA improvements that would not be required of a different use at this same location, and could benefit future uses. External Improvements Only* • The improvements are tasteful,attractive,and decorative in nature and /15 enhance the curb appeal of the facade or provide an expansion of either Resolution 23-1631- Exhibit A Resolution 23-1631 - Exhibit A the indoor or outdoor capability of the business, and significantly exceed general repair or maintenance of the facade. • The improvements are general enough and of sufficient quality to realistically provide value to future businesses even if the applicant were to relocate. Historic District Bonus** • The project is utilizing a contributing or supporting structure in the /5 Downtown Historic District in a manner consistent with City codes. Expansion Bonus** • The applicant is opening an additional second location of a proven /5 concept of a qualifying business that has been in successful operation for more than 3 years. Subtotal /70 Bonuses(If Applicable) Total Points /70 The following scoring tiers will be used to determine the grant award amount,pending availability of funds: o Score ranging from 42-55 points,to qualify to receive up to$5,000 in matching funds o Score ranging from 56-62 points,to qualify to receive up to$10,000 in matching funds o Score ranging from 63-70 points,to qualify to receive up to$20,000 in matching funds *For a project proposing both interior and exterior improvements, the Community Development Director will determine which category is most appropriate utilizing in part the scope of work of the project including the percentage of the total project estimate assigned to either internal or external improvements. Resolution 23-1631- Exhibit A