SEQUIM — The city of Sequim will use up to up to $100,000 from Rainy Day funds to help businesses with rent/mortgage payments.
The decision made Monday shifts a previous Sequim City Council vote to allocate up to $250,000 to generally support local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Previously, the city council allocated $500,000 through its Small Business Rapid Relief program.
City Manager Matt Huish said that multiple meetings about the needs of the business community with various agencies didn’t clarify a clear direction of how money would be best used.
Assistant City Manager Charisse Deschenes said of the entities they spoke with, issues were wide ranging — from supply chain shortages to inflation to staffing shortages.
Council member William Armacost said he feels there’s still a genuine concern out there from businesses and he didn’t want to delay supporting businesses by offering the $250,000.
Mayor Tom Ferrell suggested the rent/mortgage support $100,000 option and saving the $150,000 for businesses depending on the status of the pandemic.
“There’s a lot of people out there who are scared of the next variant, so let’s put a rest on this for the next three-six months. Then we can act fast,” he said.
Council member Rachel Anderson said she supported pausing the funds to see how the lifting of the mask mandate goes for businesses fiscally, and to accommodate city staff when numbers are healthier following recent retirements and attrition.
City staff said they’ll prepare a business rent/mortgage relief option for council members to consider for approval.
In-person meetings
Council members agreed to reconvene for in-person meetings starting March 28, continuing options for hybrid viewing and participation.
Deschenes said city staff will look into the state’s requirements for hybrid meetings and overflow space beforehand.
“I’m excited about getting back to the council chambers,” Ferrell said.
The city council has met via Zoom for most of the pandemic.
The March 14 meeting will remain virtual, with more meeting information at sequimwa.gov.
Possible purchase
Following an executive session on Monday, the city council unanimously agreed to authorize the city manager to enter into an agreement for an unspecified property up to an unspecified amount. City staff did not reveal the property as to not affect the asking price of said property. No other details were available by press time.
Deputy Mayor Brandon Janisse indicated in a separate council conversation that the city might use Rainy Day funds for the purchase.
Sign code waivers
City staff got the OK to write an amendment to the sign code to permanently remove fees for permanent signs when a business moves within the city.
Barry Berezowsky, city director of community development, said the fee is $280 and that only a few have relocated recently in the city.
However, he said, “signage could go a long way to making Sequim more aesthetically appeasing than it already is.”
Armacost said waiving the fee could help businesses as they seek out more affordable rent.
Berezowsky said an amendment will come back to the city council for final approval and while there’s no charge to business owners, a permit and inspection will still be required for new signs.
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Matthew Nash is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach him at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
