Laguna Beach City Council to review COVID-19 grant programs

The Laguna Beach City Council will review and consider the next steps in the city’s COVID-19 relief efforts in its meeting Tuesday.

In December, the council approved the “Laguna Beach Cares” grant program, which provided financial assistance to restaurants, bars and retail businesses impacted by the pandemic.

The program allowed restaurants and bars to apply for $5,000 in aid. Retail establishments that closed could receive $3,000, and those who saw their operating capacity drop to 20% could get $2,000.

After initially setting aside $650,000 to assist restaurants and bars in town, the Laguna Beach Cares program still has $240,000 in available funds.

There was also $200,000 allocated for impacted retail businesses, but the number of applicants exceeded the funds allotted to help the retail sector.

City staff is recommending that $116,000 of the remaining balance from the overall Laguna Beach Cares grant program be used to assist 58 qualified retail businesses that did not receive a grant during the initial application window.

The council will also consider redistributing $60,000 from the remainder of the restaurant and bar funding to address a budget deficit for the cultural arts fund grant.

A matching grant program was also introduced by the council on Dec. 22, which set aside up to $300,000 to match donations made to the Laguna Beach Community Foundation to help residents and those employed within the city who have been adversely affected by COVID-19.

Donations have yet to meet demand (more than 500 applicants), so city staff is recommending that $100,000 of the funds allocated for the matching grant be made available immediately. The remaining $200,000 would continue to be available for a future matching grant.

The City Council meeting will be viewable on Zoom at lagunabeachcity.zoom.us/j/96950701098. It can also be seen on Cox cable channel 852. The public may also comment on an agenda item being discussed by calling (669) 900-9128.

Public comment may be submitted to the city clerk Ann Marie McKay by email to amckay@lagunabeachcity.net. It is requested that comments be submitted by 3 p.m. on Monday to provide enough time for City Council members to review them.

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