TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to extend the deferral of payment for business license taxes and fees and the Street Sweeping Relief Program through June 30, 2021, to establish a citywide COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan Program for individuals and businesses, and coordinate accounts receivable collections in conjunction with the COVID-19 Relief Payment Plan Program beginning April 1, 2021 for Parking Citations and July 1, 2021 for most business-related and general fees, including health and fire fees. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On March 4, 2020, the City of Long Beach (City) declared local health and City emergencies to strengthen the City's preparedness and ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was followed on March 16, 2020 by a Health Order to enact protective measures to slow the spread of COVID-19. Since that time, the City's Health Orders have been updated regularly to reflect changes directed by the State of California and County of Los Angeles. These actions are saving lives but at the same time, the combination of the pandemic and Health Orders create economic hardships for families, workers, and businesses. At the direction of the City Council, the City has taken a number of substantive steps to aid businesses and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated Health Orders.
On June 9, 2020, the City Council authorized several COVID-relief proposals, including the deferral of payment of business license taxes and fees for those businesses experiencing significant pandemic related issues. On November 17, 2020, the City Council extended this program through March 31, 2021. Through this program, payment for these taxes and fees may be postponed, but will eventually need to be paid after the program expires. In addition to this program, other assistance continues to be provided through grant programs, emergency loans, technical assistance, unemployment insurance benefit support, and special permitting....
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