Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Supervisor Warren Slocum, District 4
Subject: Financial Assistance for Impacted Small Businesses on Middlefield Road
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution:
A) Approving an allocation of $985,000 to fund a grant program for eligible small businesses located in the North Fair Oaks area that have been negatively impacted by the Middlefield Road Improvement Project; and
B) Authorizing the County Executive, or designee(s), to negotiate and enter into an agreement with the SMCU Community Fund to administer and distribute up to $980,000 in grants under the Middlefield Road Small Business Assistance Program in exchange for an administrative fee totaling $5,000.
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BACKGROUND:
Middlefield Road is the "main street" of North Fair Oaks, a principal shopping and service destination, the primary north-south route through the community, and a crucial component of community identity. Historically, however, portions of Middlefield Road included narrow sidewalks, few street amenities, and no dedicated bike lanes. Beginning in the summer of 2021, the County has been engaged in an extensive construction project to improve Middlefield Road (Project), including the installation of new traffic signals and streetlights, utility undergrounding, sanitary sewer replacement work, pedestrian and bicycle improvements, wider sidewalks, street trees, street amenities, and installation of public WiFi. This complex Project has involved partnerships with a large number of other agencies and utilities. Once completed, the Project will provide an improved corridor for various modes of transportation and community access to Middlefield Road and the surrounding commercial district in North Fair Oaks, one of the lowest-income areas of the County.
Substantial progress has been made on the Project, but more work is required to comple...
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