Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Manager
Subject: Resolution Authorizing Donation of Three Million Dollars in Measure K Funds to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation to Benefit San Mateo County Families and Individuals, Non-Profit Organizations, and Small Businesses Adversely Impacted by COVID-19.
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing the donation of Three Million Dollars in Measure K funds to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation to benefit San Mateo County families and individuals, non-profit organizations, and small businesses adversely impacted by COVID-19.
body
BACKGROUND:
The impacts of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 have been swift and far-reaching.
On March 3, 2020, the San Mateo County Health Officer (the “County Health Officer”) declared a local health emergency throughout San Mateo County related to COVID-19. The same day, the San Mateo County Director of Emergency Services proclaimed a state of local emergency throughout San Mateo County related to COVID-19. A week later, on March 10, 2020, the Board of Supervisors ratified and extended the proclamation of state of emergency.
On March 14, 2020, the County Health Officer prohibited all public or private gatherings of 50 of more people and urged the cancelation of all gatherings of 10 or more people in a single confined space.
On March 16, 2020, the County Health Officer issued an order that, among other things, directs all individuals currently living within San Mateo County to shelter in their place of residence, and authorizes individuals to leave their residences only for certain “Essential Activities,” Essential Governmental Functions,” or to operate “Essential Businesses,” all as defined in the Shelter-in Place-Order. On March 19, 2020, the Governor issued as statewide shelter-in-place order.
Even with these actions, the number of identified COVID-19 cases in the County of San Mateo continues to grow.
The long-term societal and economic impacts of COVID-19 will not be known for some time. The immediate impacts to the local community, however, have been substantial, as residents throughout San Mateo County are experiencing sudden and substantial income loss due to layoffs, business and school closures, and a loss of work hours and wages, as well as extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses. The County’s most vulnerable residents and small businesses have been hit the hardest by this crisis.
DISCUSSION:
The Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) has established three Corona Virus Emergency Funds: (1) the Regional Response Fund to provide housing/shelter, food, clothing, and financial assistance to individuals and families (“Regional Response Fund”); (2) the Regional Non-Profit Emergency Fund to provide flexible operating support grants to non-profit organizations (“Regional Non-Profit Emergency Fund”); and (3) the Small Business Relief Fund to provide relief and/or liquidity for self-employed individuals and small businesses (“Small Business Relief Fund”). The SVCF is seeking donors to these funds from the 10 Bay Area counties and the funds will support individuals, families, non-profits and small businesses throughout the Bay Area. Donors may designate a county and/or an assistance group to receive their donation. Undesignated donations will be spread across all counties and distributed by the SVCF based on need.
To promote donations to all three funds designated for San Mateo County, a unique landing page for the San Mateo County Strong Fund is being developed by staff in collaboration with the San Mateo County Economic Development Association (SAMCEDA). All donations received through this page will be managed by SVCF but will be distributed in collaboration with County staff and only given to San Mateo County residents, non-profits and small businesses. A comprehensive marketing plan is being developed by staff, again in collaboration with SAMCEDA, to promote the San Mateo County Strong Fund.
To seed the San Mateo County Strong Fund, staff recommends that the Board approve a donation in the total amount of Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) in Measure K funds to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation to benefit San Mateo County individuals and families, non-profit organizations, and small businesses adversely impacted by COVID-19 through contributions to: (1) the Regional Response Fund, which contributions will assist San Mateo County individuals and families and will be disbursed through the County’s eight Core Service agencies; (2) the Regional Non-Profit Emergency Fund, which contributions will be directed to County non-profit agencies providing essential community support services; and (3) the Small Business Relief Fund, which contributions will be used to provide grants of up to Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to San Mateo County businesses with 10 or fewer full-time equivalent employees who can document a loss of at least 25% in revenue due to COVID-19. Independent contractors and people who are self-employed may also apply for these grants.
Time is of the essence. Therefore, staff recommends that the Board authorize the County Manager to effectuate the donation to SVCF and to work with appropriate local partners and stakeholders to allocate and disperse these Measure K funds in a manner than most effectively, expeditiously, and fairly affords relief to San Mateo County individuals and families, non-profit organizations, and small businesses adversely impacted by COVID-19. Staff will update the Board at its next regular meeting regarding on the distribution and allocation processes for each assistance group.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The donation in the amount $3 million will be paid for from proceeds of the Measure K sales tax. The Foundation management fee for the San Mateo County Strong Fund will be 1%, which is $30,000 for the County contribution.