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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-8623ORDINANCE NO. 2020-03-8623 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LOCAL ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC BY AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2019-6-8578; AUTHORIZING THE FINANCE DIRECTOR TO TRANSFER $250,000 FROM VARIOUS PROJECTS/FUNDS TO A SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF FUND AND AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF SAID FUNDS FOR SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF; APPROVING A GROSS RECEIPT TAX EXTENSION FOR CALENDAR FILERS; TEMPORARILY WAIVING TAXICAB DRIVER'S LICENSE RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS; TEMPORARILY REDUCING SOLID WASTE COLLECTION RATES FOR COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTS; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY TO EXIST WHEREAS, the President of the United States and the Governor of Kentucky have both declared a State of Emergency in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; and WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Paducah declared a State of Emergency on March 16, 2020 based upon the COVID-19 virus outbreak; and WHEREAS, on March 18, 2020 and directly in response to the nationwide effects of COVID-19, the Internal Revenue Service announced tax payment relief for federal tax returns that are due by April 15, 2020 by automatically extending the tax payment deadline until July 15, 2020; and WHEREAS, the City of Paducah Finance Director has recommended the implementation of similar tax relief for local gross receipts taxes due and collected pursuant to Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Paducah, Kentucky; and WHEREAS, the City of Paducah recognizes the local effects of the COVID-19 pandemic including the implementation of state and federal recommendations for social distancing, closing of businesses, and self -quarantining requests all in an effort to prevent the spread of this devastating virus; and WHEREAS, the City of Paducah further recognizes the financial impact on local businesses, its employees and the citizens resulting from both the state and federal recommendations and, more recently, the necessary actions implemented by Executive Order by Governor Beshear to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth of Kentucky; and WHEREAS, in an effort to prevent any additional financial strain on the businesses and citizens of City of Paducah during these difficult times, the City of Paducah believes it to be in the best interests of the City to extend the deadline for which gross receipts taxes are to be paid for calendar filers under of the City of Paducah Code of Ordinances until July 15, 2020; and WHEREAS, the City of Paducah desires to provide economic assistance to small businesses that are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by setting aside funds to be disbursed as relief and stimulus for the local economy; and WHEREAS, the City of Paducah also desires to provide relief to local businesses by reducing the cost for commercial solid waste collection services; and WHEREAS, the City Manager after consultation with the Finance Director, has advised the Mayor that the financial impact resulting from the proposed extensions, price reductions and payment to the local small business relief fund will not affect the City's ability to deliver the essential services relied upon by its citizens. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY: SECTION 1. Budget Amendment. That the annual budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019, and ending June 30, 2020, as adopted by Ordinance No. 2019-6-8578, be amended by the following re -appropriations: Transfer $250,000 to the COVID-19 Stimulus (MR0079) Project from the following account/projects: • $100,000 from the Administrative Contingency Account No. 10000106 524500 • $80,000 from the Bike Plan Project CDO095 • $20,000 from the Strategic Plan Outreach Project CDO094 • $25,000 from the Streets & Sidewalks New Construction Project CDO092 • $20,000 from the Micro Fagade Project DT0035 • $5,000 from Roof Stabilization Project DT0030 SECTION 2. Small Business Relief Fund. That the Finance Director is hereby authorized to appropriate $150,000 of the funds transferred to the COVID-19 Stimulus (MR0079) Project for the Small Business Relief Fund Program, upon approval of applications submitted. The remaining $100,000 will be appropriated in the same manner upon receipt of donated funds from the Community Foundation of West Kentucky, but only in the form of 1 -to -1 matching funds. SECTION 3. Gross Receipts License Deadline Extended. That in order to combat the financial impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the City of Paducah, the filing of the annual Gross Receipts License Tax (Business License Tax) as outlined in Section 106-61 through 106-160 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Paducah, Kentucky, is hereby postponed to July 15, 2020, for calendar year filers. The deadline of July 15, 2020, is the same time established by the federal government and Internal Revenue Service. The Finance Director shall ensure the tax relief provisions set forth in this Ordinance are effectuated. SECTION 4. Solid Waste Collection Rates. That the City of Paducah hereby establishes a 50% price reduction for solid waste collection for commercial (non-residential) rollouts and commercial dumpsters. Municipal Order No. 2046 relating to the schedule of fees and charges for solid waste pick up is hereby temporarily amended in that commercial solid waste collection fees for commercial (non-residential) rollouts and commercial dumpsters is reduced by 50%. This fee reduction shall be in effect for commercial solid waste collection services provided during the months of April 2020 and May 2020. Further, authority is hereby granted to the City Manager to extend said price reduction on behalf of the City for up to two (2) additional month as deemed necessary. SECTION 5. Taxicab License Renewals. That the City of Paducah hereby waives the requirement of Section 122-33(d) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Paducah requiring the renewal of Taxicab Driver's License at least ten (10) days before the expiration of the existing license but no sooner than thirty (30) days before the license is set to expire. This requirement for Taxicab Driver's License renewal is hereby waived until July 1, 2020. Further, authority is hereby granted to the City Manager to extend said waiver of renewal requirement on behalf of the City for up to two (2) additional month as deemed necessary. SECTION 6. Emergency Declared. Pursuant to KRS 83A.060, the City Commission suspends the requirement of a second reading of this ordinance. As grounds therefor, the City Commission does hereby declare an emergency to exist due to the need to mitigate the local economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. SECTION 7. Severability. The provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be severable. If any section, phrase or provision shall for any reason be declared invalid, such declaration shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Ordinance. SECTION 8. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by affirmative vote of 2/3 or more of the legislative body. Brandi Harless, Mayor ATTEST: 'r, 'Pa Ail qi�nd�sayy4PariJ�,it lerk Introduced & Adopted by the Board of Commissioners March 31, 2020 Recorded by Lindsay Parish, Paducah City Clerk, March 31, 2020 Published by The Paducah Sun, April 3, 2020 ORD\Emergency — 2020 COVID-19 Stimulus Package Ordinance Prepared by Lindsay Parish Attorney Review by Stacey Blankenship, KKHB