Business Roundtable – 9/29/2020 – 10:00am
MISSION: Success in two stages during the Covid-19:
1) Response to the immediate threat
2) Economic recovery when the threat diminishes.
Recap
Response to immediate threat
1. City of Monterey. Special study session on Cannabis: Wednesday September 30, 2020 – 4:00pm; Four City firefighters deployed around the State.
2. General Conversation: Theodore Balestreri, Immediate past-Chair – California Restaurant Association: Status of the Restaurant industry Fall/Winter 2020. National Restaurant Association blueprint has broad bipartisan support; political maneuvering slows things down; House Ways and Means sub-Committee hearing on Restaurants in America during the COVID-19 pandemic: half of restaurants workers out of work; in California: 1 million out of work – 40% restaurants closed or will close permanently. Color-coded tier system disappointing; study showing correlation between restaurant openings and infection is not released by Gov. Newsom; restaurants operating at 25% may lose more money than closing down completely; temporary closures during winter months may be significant.
3. Human Resources: Disputable Presumption of Workers Compensation Liability for Employers. Sweeping change for employee rights on leave, safety, job protection pre-date pandemic; SB 1159 – disputable presumption for employee getting virus is a workers compensation claim and assumes the disease was contracted through employment. See attached.
4. Agriculture. n/a
5. Hospitality & Tourism. Board of Supervisors sent letter to Gov. Newsom to request allowing some indoor dining; MCHA is urging for better testing on Peninsula to validate more flexibility to hospitality businesses.
6. Retail. Cannery Row report. Since pandemic 240 leases had to be reviewed; all remain fully leased except one; Cannery Row is basically an open air shopping center; Anchors: Aquarium closed, Intercontinental and Monterey Plaza only open for ocean window rooms; two restaurants closed: Cooper’s Pub & Restaurant and Johnny Rockets; pattern is identical: good on weekends, soft during weekdays; lack of patio space is limiting seating; two retails have closed: Charms By the Bay and Athletic merchandise and are being replaced; some merchants are still closed while others doing fine, negotiating lease renewals.
7. State of California. Sacramento report. n/a
8. Health Care. Over 10,000 positive cases in County; 1 patient at CHOMP; get your flu shots; Dr. Taplin still available for assistance, courtesy of Montage Health.
9. Financial, SBA, Loans & Grants. Congress still working on bill; no loans in the US have been forgiven at this point.
10. Non-Profit sector. SCORE mentors small businesses: virtual open house for volunteers to serve. See link attached. United Way distributing rental and utility assistance starting next week; check 2-1-1 website.
11.Education. Chamber to host 1st Annual Education Forum on October 16, 2020 – 12:00pm to 2:00pm via ZOOM. Save the Date; Details to follow.
12. Transportation. n/a
Next teleconference will be held Tuesday 10/6/2020/2020 at 10:00am
