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[COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR] ORDINANCE NO. 240828
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Sponsor(s): Mayor Quinton Lucas, Mayor Pro-Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw, Councilmembers Johnathan Duncan, Andrea Bough, Wes Rogers, Darrell Curls, Nathan Willett, Kevin O’Neill, Melissa Patterson Hazley, Crispin Rea, Lindsay French, and Melissa Robinson
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
Establishing the Kansas City “Back to Business” Grant Fund to provide financial relief and prevention measures to small businesses impacted by vandalism and property crimes in Kansas City through grants to local small businesses; appropriating $325,000.00 from the Unappropriated Fund Balance of the Violence Prevention and Intervention Fund for the Back to Business Grant Program; designating requisitioning authority; directing KC Bizcare to report back to the City Council by November 14, 2024; and recognizing this ordinance as having an accelerated effective date.
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WHEREAS, the City of Kansas City recognizes the importance of vibrant entrepreneurship and safety in our communities; and
WHEREAS, several local small businesses have been affected by vandalism, break-ins, burglary, and other property crimes; and
WHEREAS, funding the recovery efforts of small businesses from deliberately inflicted damage promotes the maintenance and propagation of resilient and innovative ventures in our communities, and funding the implementation or replacement of security and surveillance technologies can help businesses prevent theft, vandalism, and other crimes; and
WHEREAS, the implementation of preventative security measures can contribute to the safety and vitality of Kansas City’s neighborhoods, enhancing the overall quality of life for business-owners, employees, residents, and visitors; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to support local businesses in their efforts to promote safety, well-being, and prosperity; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the need to provide financial support to local businesses to encourage the implementation and maintenance of high-quality security and surveillance technologies; and
WHEREAS, the FY23-24 allocation of $6 million from the Violence Prevention Fund was not fully expended in FY23-24 resulting in an ending fund balance of $25.3 million; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of the Kansas City “Back to Business” Grant Fund aligns with the City’s goals of fostering a thriving local economy, supporting small businesses, and creating vibrant, livable neighborhoods; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. The “Back to Business” Grant Fund (“Program”) is hereby established to provide financial assistance to eligible businesses to seek reimbursement of eligible expenses incurred as a result of vandalism, burglary, or other property crimes, and to install or expand eligible security and surveillance measures on the premises of small businesses.
Section 2. The Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City and KC Bizcare shall administer the Program and establish necessary rules, regulations, and procedures to ensure its effective implementation, subject to the following conditions:
(a) Grant Amount and Eligibility
1) Eligible businesses may apply for grants of up to $3,000.00 to fund eligible expenses incurred as a result of vandalism, burglary, or other property crimes that occurred from July 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025.
2) Eligible businesses may apply for grants of up to $5,000.00 to fund eligible preventative security and surveillance measures acquired between July 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025.
3) To be eligible, a business must:
i. Be located within Kansas City, possess all necessary licenses and permits, and maintain good standing with the City;
ii. Maintain consistent hours of operation;
iii. Have sustained physical damage due to break-ins or vandalism or plan to take steps to prevent such incidents.
(b) Application and Review Process
1) The Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City and KC Bizcare shall review applications on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted.
2) Applicants will be contacted via email about the status of their completed grant application.
Section 3. That the sum of $325,000.00 is hereby appropriated from the Unappropriated Fund Balance of the Violence Prevention and Intervention Fund to the following account:
25-2000-571042-B Back to Business Grant Program $325,000.00
Section 4. That the Director of Neighborhood Services Department is hereby designated as requisitioning authority for Account No. 25-2000-571042.
Section 5. That KC Bizcare shall report back to the City Council by November 14, 2024 to provide data related to the performance of the Back to Business Grant program and an evaluation of the future need for grant funding.
Section 6. That this ordinance is recognized as an ordinance with an accelerated effective date as provided by Section 503(a)(3)(C) of the City Charter in that it appropriates money and shall take effect in accordance with that section.
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I hereby certify that there is a balance, otherwise unencumbered, to the credit of the appropriation to which the foregoing expenditure is to be charged, and a cash balance, otherwise unencumbered, in the treasury, to the credit of the fund from which payment is to be made, each sufficient to meet the obligation hereby incurred.
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Tammy L. Queen
Director of Finance
Approved as to form:
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Samuel E. Miller
Assistant City Attorney