Business Roundtable – 12/8/2020 - 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. Planning Commission meeting tonight re: sea level rise; commercial cannabis roadmap defined and will be on a special City webpage; final City Council of 12/15 will include financial report YTD; outdoor heating video of informational meeting on www.Monterey.org/holidayevents
2. General Conversation: JEA Associates: A recap of current measures imposed by the State. Availability of ICU beds in neighboring counties are factored in our Bay Area group with 15% as threshold for more restrictions; with new measures: retail will still be allowed at 20% capacity, restaurants for take-out and delivery only, outdoor church services and political demonstrations still allowed, hotels closed except for essential workers; disaster in sight.
3. Hospitality & Tourism. Responsible travel is still being promoted; MCHA and MCCVB revise their testing campaign until more clarity happens.
4. Retail. Our restaurants are in grave and imminent danger of closing: everybody is encouraged to cater to them, buy gift cards and order take-out NOW; also order directly from the restaurants as third party delivery services charge another 30% on top of food cost; retail is hanging on and working hard to get through the winter months.
5. Health Care. CHOMP has record 27 COVID patients; surge is happening on the Peninsula; hospital is equipped for vaccine handling; needs distribution guidelines; all three local hospital beds almost at capacity.
6. Community Foundation for Monterey County. COVID convening report to be made next week.
7. Financial, SBA, Loans & Grants. Accelerating forgiveness on PPP (75% in one case); a second round is expected at federal level by the end of the year; State of CA will start a relief package ($500M) for small businesses.
8. Human Services. Changes to worker benefits as per attached report.
9. Non-Profit sector. Promotion of non-profit community still crucial; rental assistance: United Way works with 10 local agencies.
10.Education. Hartnell College update construction on Salinas, Soledad and King City buildings; remote learning at least until Fall 2021.
11.Transportation. Bus shelters being renovated.
Next teleconference will be held Tuesday 12/15/2020 at 10:00am
