Item 4I - MemoCITY OF
SOUTHLAKE
MEMORANDUM
August 3, 2021
To: Shana Yelverton, City Manager
From: Daniel Cortez, Director of Economic Development & Tourism
Subject: Item 41 - Approve Resolution No. 21-032, authorizing the creation of
the Southlake Landscape Replacement Reimbursement Grant.
Action
Requested: Approve Resolution No. 21-032, authorizing the creation of the
Southlake Landscape Replacement Reimbursement Grant.
Background
Information: Earlier this year, the State of Texas experienced one of the harshest and
devastating winter storms in decades. The impact to businesses was
significant as many were already struggling through the ongoing COVID-
19 pandemic and was then compounded by this winter storm that
resulted in further lost revenue due to the loss of power and the
availability of water.
While most businesses have now recovered from the storm and the
greatest economic impacts of the pandemic have passed, there remains
some visual impacts from the winter storm, specifically the landscaping
on commercial properties. Many commercial properties throughout the
City have experienced the need for landscape replacement due to the
extreme cold temperatures from the storm. While many have already
replaced most the landscaping that was lost due to the low temperatures,
the costs associated with acquiring the landscape materials was higher
than normal due to the demand across the state.
At the Southlake City Council meeting held on May 18, 2021, staff was
directed to develop a framework for a landscape grant program to
financially assist local business properties with landscape costs
associated with the winter storm of February 2021.
To this end, City staff has formed the framework and criteria for a
landscape replacement reimbursement grant that will be funded from the
remaining funds that were allocated to the Southlake Business Relief
Grant.
Financial
Considerations: Funding for this program will come from the remainder of the Southlake
Business Relief Grant program in the Economic Development
Investment Fund in an amount not to exceed one -hundred eight -two
thousand five -hundred dollars ($182,500).
Strategic Link: This item is specifically linked to the City's Strategy Map through C4:
Attract & keep top -tier businesses to drive a dynamic & sustainable
economic environment and supports the CEDC Board's strategy map
through CEDCF2 Ensure expenditure of CEDC and Economic
Development Investment Funds in accordance with established
economic development goals, policies and master plan
recommendations.
Board Input: On July 27, 2021, the Community Enhancement and Development
Corporation (CEDC) provided input on the proposed Landscape
Replacement Reimbursement Grant Program.
The CEDC recommended the timeframe of the grant be a minimum of
six weeks to commence sometime in the late summer or early fall to
allow for property owners to order, install and submit the necessary
documentation for the grant.
Legal Review: This grant program is currently under legal review by the City Attorney.
Supporting
Documents: Resolution No. 21-032 Landscape Replacement Reimbursement Grant
Program
Staff Contacts: Daniel Cortez (817) 748 — 8039
RESOLUTION NO. 21-032
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CREATION OF THE
LANDSCAPE REPLACEMENT REIMBURSEMENT GRANT
PROGRAM UNDER TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 380;
ESTABLISHING THE BUSINESS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA;
PROVIDING A FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE GRANT PROGRAM;
ESTABLISHING THE GRANT AWARD AMOUNT; AND PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Southlake, Texas, recognizes the hardship that the
winter storm of February 2021 (Winter Storm Uri) has caused for Southlake local businesses; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Section 380.002(c) the Economic
Development Investment Fund may be used to provide economic support to businesses that have
experienced economic impact due to landscape loss from the winter storm of February 2021 in the
amount of one -hundred eight -two thousand five -hundred dollars ($182,500) and further supplemented
if the City Council desires; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Southlake has determined it to be in the best
interests of the community to authorize the creation of a landscape replacement reimbursement
program to further aid in the recovery of the local economy; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Southlake has determined in the best interest for
have City staff to administer a program in compliance with the criteria set forth in this resolution; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Southlake has determined that implementing such a
program will assist in achieving its economic recovery goals; and
WHERAS, the City Council of the City of Southlake is committed to the recovery, growth and
stimulation of sustainable local businesses within the community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS, THAT:
Section 1. In response to the economic impacts of the winter storm which occurred in
February 2021 (Winter Storm Uri) and the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus)
pandemic to the local business community, the Southlake City Council is
authorizing a stimulus program to assist business owners whose business
properties landscaping have been negatively affected by the winter storm of
February 2021. The Southlake Landscape Replacement Reimbursement Grant
is a local economic development program to help reduce the economic strain
on local businesses.
Section 2. The City Council of the City of Southlake, Texas hereby authorizes the creation
of the Southlake Landscape Replacement Reimbursement Grant, subject to its
management by the City of Southlake, funding by the Economic Development
Investment Fund in an amount of $182,500 or the remaining undistributed funds
of the Southlake Business Relief Grant.
Section 3. The purpose of this program is to replenish required landscape material as
defined by the City and to reimburse those business property owners who have
spent funds to replace those required landscape planting materials.
Section 4. Individual reimbursement grants will be awarded to Southlake commercial
business property owners in an amount not to exceed 50% of total funds spent
on landscape replacements up to $5,000 per business property, as defined in
Section 5. The commercial business property owner will need to provide proof
and show the landscape material that was replaced due to the impacts of the
February 2021 winter storm.
If eligible business applications exceed the funds available for distribution, the
City will prioritize funding grants based on how the completed applications were
received (first come, first serve basis).
Section 5. Grant funds are available to businesses who meet the following criteria:
a) Property must be located in the City of Southlake.
b) Property must be used for a commercial purpose.
c) Property must be zoned for a commercial use.
d) Business must be registered to do business in the State of Texas.
e) Funds spent by the business property to replace the required landscape
material must have occurred after February 15, 2021.
f) One grant will we provided per business property that applies (e.g. shopping
center = one grant) and not by individual businesses located within the
shopping center.
g) Business property must have been impacted by the February 2021 winter
storm and provide the following to be reviewed for eligibility:
i. An approved landscape plan by the City of Southlake noting what
landscape material was replaced.
ii. A receipt or invoice paid itemizing the landscape material that was
replaced and the amount paid.
iii. A completed application.
h) Business property must be in good standing with the City of Southlake,
Tarrant County and other taxing entities.
i) A City inspection will be conducted prior to the final approval of the
submitted grant application to verify new landscape installation.
Section 6. The landscape material that will be eligible for reimbursement will consist of
only what is required by City ordinance or City approved landscape plan.
Section 7. Nothing in this resolution, the ($182,500, or by the City of Southlake shall be
construed to suggest or imply that the City of Southlake is under any obligation
to provide any grant or grant fund amount to any applicant irrespective of
business eligibility and meeting all established criteria.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 3RD DAY OF AUGUST, 2021.
ATTEST:
Amy Shelley, TRMC
City Secretary
John Huffman, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney