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At its meeting beginning at 7 p.m. tonight (April 29), the Portola Valley Town Council will receive an update on the fiscal impact of COVID-19, hear a report on the future reactivation of town services and consider a recommendation to donate funds to the San Mateo County Strong small business program to support Portola Valley businesses.
According to a report in the agenda packet, the town expects an operational budget deficit of $43,608 for the remainder of this fiscal year due to impacts from the coronavirus and ensuing shelter-at-home order.
“This structural budget deficit can be accommodated by applying a combination of thoughtful expenditure reductions in other expenditure categories (such as services and supplies that are not taking place as staff is working remotely), potential growth in certain revenues that have been conservatively set in this analysis (such as property taxes over the remainder of the fiscal year or permit fees realized), and the use of reserves that have been set aside for emergencies,” the report states.
The pandemic has caused sales tax revenue to drop significantly due to business closures, and revenue associated with rentals, instructors and field use has ceased. There has also been less revenue from land use permits and affiliated fees, the town’s second-largest general fund revenue source based on projections for this fiscal year. Significant expenditure changes as a result include new spending to support coronavirus response efforts, a freeze on projects such as a general plan update kickoff and user fee study, and a potential freeze on a variety of public works expenditures related to facilities, landscaping and fields, according to the report.
Town staff is developing a provisional budget that the council would need to adopt by the end of the fiscal year in June, after which staff would work on a revised budget that will include more up-to-date revenue projections, according to Town Manager Jeremy Dennis. The revised budget would be presented to the council in September, barring new coronavirus impacts.
Town reactivation
Town staff is asking the council to provide direction on the reactivation of government services suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as consider the creation of a council subcommittee to advise staff on potential issues.
Staff is recommending a phased approach to reopening Town Hall. All town services are expected to be available to residents within 30 days of the end of San Mateo County’s shelter-in-place order, unless the town issues further guidance or local emergency orders, according to a report. Once the order has been lifted, Town Hall will be accessible by appointment only, and staff will use videoconferencing platforms such as Zoom to hold meetings and appointments. Social distancing requirements will be in place for Town Hall staff and visitors.
“Town Hall should only be made more accessible to walk-ins, in-person meetings and similar activities based on the best information available that ensures the best possible safe environment for all. Based on the goals adopted by the Council, the use of thermometers (or) face coverings will be utilized as needed,” according to the report.
Staff is seeking council guidance on a number of issues, including when organized sports could start up, when rentals would be allowed and when instructors could restart classes.
SMC Strong fund donation
The council will be asked to consider a donation to the SMC Strong initiative to support Portola Valley businesses, as well as start a campaign to raise awareness among residents who may wish to contribute.
A number of cities, including Burlingame, San Carlos and San Mateo, have contributed from $15,000 to $500,000 to the small business grant program. The fund opened up applications for grants of up to $10,000 to help fund payroll, operations or other costs associated with COVID-19 impacts on Monday, and within four hours “more than 2,400 businesses had applied for grants, far exceeding the available funds,” to the county. “The small business grant portal has now been closed and the applications are being reviewed for funding.”
Grants from the general pool will be distributed based on population, which means that the pool for Portola Valley is just over $6,000. However, funds can be contributed by municipalities and private donors to support city-specific businesses,” according to Dennis.
The Portola Valley council on April 15 adopted a moratorium on the eviction of small businesses in town that cannot pay rent due to the coronavirus crisis.
Other council actions   Â
At its meeting last Wednesday, April 22, the council accepted a council priorities status report for this fiscal year and next.
According to the report, town staff will be unable to fully implement several council priorities for this fiscal year, including the pedestrian safety plan, a climate action plan and potential new electric vehicle charging stations for town facilities. Staff is recommending that they be incorporated into the priority plan for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.
Draft priorities for 2020-21 will be reexamined alongside priorities not completed this fiscal year during the 2020-21 budget process set to begin in July, according to the town.
PV Cares
Portola Valley residents have launched an initiative called PV Cares, in which volunteers assist vulnerable households with everything from grocery shopping to emotional support.Â
“They have been invaluable to those who need someone to run errands, grocery shop, help with minor tech support, and more,” Mayor Jeff Aalfs said in an email to residents April 28. “These volunteers have been checking on community members and providing support to those living alone and isolated.”
Those in need of assistance should fill out a form online, and people interested in volunteering may email pvcares+subscribe@pvforum.us.
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