REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
January 28, 2021
FROM: THOMAS ESQUEDA, City Manager
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
THROUGH: TIM ORMAN, Chief of Staff to the Mayor
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
BY: JENNIFER RUIZ, Project Manager
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to Commercial Cannabis Activity:
1. ***RESOLUTION - Creating The Equity Assistance Program Fund (Subject to Mayor's Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council approve the resolution to establish the Equity Assistance Fund, as referenced by Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) section 9-3316(b)(6)(vii) to benefit local cannabis social equity businesses operating in the City under FMC section 9-3316(b)(6).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) section 9-3316(b)(6)(vii) requires the establishment of an equity assistance program and identifies a number of elements of the program. This resolution establishes the Equity Assistance Fund, which will administer the necessary funding for the services described by the equity assistance program. The fund will receive monetary donations from commercial cannabis businesses within the City, as well as contributions approved from other sources, such as grants, or allocations approved by the City Council. The fund will benefit eligible cannabis social equity businesses operating in the City of Fresno.
BACKGROUND
The Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) section 9-3316(b)(6)(vii) requires the City Manager to establish an equity assistance program which includes, but is not limited to, the following elements:
1. Assistance in paying state regulatory and licensing fees;
2. Assistance securing business locations prior to or during the application process;
3. Assistance securing capital investments (excluding loans and grants from the city);
4. Assistance in recruiting, training, and retention of a qualified/diverse workforce; and
5. Business loans and/or grants to equity applicants.
The progra...
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