Business Roundtable – 4/7/2020 – 10:00am
MISSION: success in two stages of the Coronavirus threat:
1.) response to the immediate threat
2.) economic recovery when the threat diminishes.
Summary
Response to immediate threat
- Update: City of Monterey. On Council today’s agenda: a) City Financial assessment and list of possible budget adjustments b) Local stimulus program with City funds to help businesses c) Rent Assistance to employees working in the City regardless of their domicile. Council to give direction to staff in anticipation of decisions to be made at 4/21 Council meeting.
- Update: Hospitality & Tourism. MCCVB reduced staffing to 80% of full capacity. Plan to save resources for a recovery campaign. Is working closely with City of Monterey, Visit California and US Travel Association for local, state and national assistance to the industry. Communicated with Congressman Panetta and stressed the need to include 501 (c) 6 in the CARES Act 2.0. Need for unified message emphasizing drive market first. MCHA supports the sales and marketing efforts of the Bureau. Stresses on need of testing put in place for recovery to be successful.
- Update: Health Care. Stats to be kept within this group as numbers are very fluid: COVID patients are present at CHOMP, 236 people have been tested, 14 of which tested positive and 206 tested negative with 16 tests pending. Monterey County has 63 confirmed cases and 2 fatalities. Asilomar has no patients. Montage is planning on a surge coming in the next 10 days to 3 weeks. Protocol in place: no-visitor policy, closing all non-urgent services.
- Update: Monterey County. Communications Center has daily updates. Supervisors Parker and Adams are planning a virtual Town Hall next week to discuss County response and action for Cities. County Parks have been open for hiking - topic to be discussed at next Board of Supervisors meeting. Homeless services are limited to hosting patients who are tested positive. The Chamber will write a letter to County to advocate in favor of including 501 (c)6 in federal stimulus plan.
- Update: Community Foundation. Creation of a small business relief fund in partnership with Chamber. Concentrate advocacy efforts and reaching out to large private donors to jump-start this initiative. Construction industry in danger following new requirements for “Essential Workforce.” Suggest conversation with industry leaders ASAP. COVID-19 fund has deployed $973,000 to-date to benefit non-profit organizations.
- Update: Financial Institutions. SBA is overwhelmed with loan applications. PPP loans are handled via banks. Applications may be received by some and not by others. Banks will honor their own clients first. Danger of potential fraud exists. MCBC/SBDC will host another webinar on 4/10 focusing on PPP. Chamber will host webinar on 4/9 on Practical Steps to Confront the Crisis.
- Human Resources: Rules for unemployment, re-hiring and qualifications for stimulus aid. Summary attached.
- Positive News: Laguna Seca picks up a second Indy Car Race. Car dealerships in Seaside & Food Bank donates food for seniors. N95 masks collected for City First Responders: 816 as of this morning.
- Next teleconference will be held Tuesday 4/14/2020 at 10:00am
