South San Francisco companies, some dealing with threats of Individuals with Disabilities Act lawsuits, might get some monetary aid to make accessibility or different enhancements with a newly established grant program providing funds as much as $25,000.
The Metropolis Council this week agreed to make use of $500,000 from its reserves to assist the small enterprise neighborhood following a wave of litigation threats made by a Southern California regulation agency concentrating on retailers and eating places with services like restrooms or seating choices that aren’t ADA compliant. Authorized charges and required modifications can value a whole lot of 1000’s and trigger companies to shutter.
“I’m completely happy that we’re shifting considerably shortly when it comes to making an attempt to supply some type of help,” Mayor Mark Nagales stated of the brand new program. “The truth that we’re nonetheless in the midst of COVID and now they’re getting hit with these lawsuits, I can perceive the frustration.”
Greater than 15 companies within the metropolis are dealing with litigation, and a number of other others have been sued final 12 months, in response to Ernesto Lucero, performing deputy Group Growth director, who stated this system intends to assist at the least 20 companies, to be chosen from a tiered lottery subsequent month.
Whereas precedence shall be given to these planning ADA compliance upgrades, the grants shall be out there to all small companies within the metropolis, a few of which might use cash for facade upgrades if they’re already compliant. The funds may be used to repay development prices from upgrades made within the final 12 months.
“There was a sense we must always not exclude individuals who have good ADA services, they usually’ve invested the funds to be good,” Metropolis Supervisor Mike Futrell stated.
Eligible companies are these which might be in operation, have a enterprise license and make use of not more than 5 staff or a minimal of three staff who make lower than $102,000, the county’s median earnings. Town beforehand administered an analogous program that used federal funding, requiring a extra arduous utility course of.
Lucero emphasised the brand new program shall be simpler to use for and be administered shortly, as many companies want quick aid. Companies which have obtained lawsuit threats typically have 21 days to reply, both by agreeing to pay 1000’s in charges to settle by means of a compliance course of or by taking the matter to court docket.
Councilmember Mark Addiego stated he had heard from a enterprise proprietor who had obtained a litigation risk regardless of being ADA compliant however was contemplating paying the charges merely to keep away from litigation.
“That’s very disturbing,” he stated. “They’re simply throwing these lawsuits out with out ever stepping on the property or figuring out the precise violation.”
Metropolis Lawyer Sky Woodruff stated the district attorneys in San Francisco and Los Angeles counties have filed a lawsuit in opposition to Potter Helpful, the San Diego regulation agency chargeable for the wave of violation notices within the metropolis and all through the state.
“The wheels of justice grind sluggish, as they are saying, however it might be of assist to the neighborhood to know that there’s a lawsuit that was filed,” he stated. He really helpful enterprise house owners attempt to delay their case because the lawsuit might have an end result of their favor.
Burlingame, San Mateo, San Carlos and Redwood Metropolis have been hit with related waves, amongst different native cities. Companies with parklets have usually been targets.
“We’re stepping out as leaders right here in South San Francisco to do that,” stated Councilmember Eddie Flores, who added he was unaware of every other metropolis within the county providing an analogous program. “This isn’t one thing that different cities have completed with their basic fund cash … this council is dedicated to not leaving these companies behind.”
Those that apply might want to point out how the cash shall be spent. As soon as a enterprise is chosen, metropolis employees will work with the applicant to find out wants and quantity to be granted. Whereas this system is anticipated to be oversubscribed, the town supervisor indicated one other spherical of funding was a chance.
On-line purposes shall be open April 20 to Could 13, and the lottery shall be held Could 18. Lucero stated assist with purposes, together with in Spanish, shall be offered on the metropolis’s financial development heart. Go to ssf.internet/EAC to use.