Del Mar Council Approves Business Assistance Measures

Press release from the City of Del Mar:

September 10, 2020

The City Council on Sept. 8 approved a package of additional resources designed to assist small businesses, paying extra attention to those with indoor operations severely limited by the restrictions of COVID-19 public health orders.

The unanimous approvals included accepting a $20,000 donation and budgeting $2,500 for a “Dine on the Deck” program starting Sept. 17 at the Del Mar Civic Center.

The initiatives expand and add to numerous business assistance actions taken by the City Council last spring and come in response to dialogue with the business community. In particular, Council members and City staff explored measures to increase outdoor dining while following guidelines of public health orders.

The Council approved launching a Dine on the Deck program at the Del Mar Civic Center during four Thursdays from Sept. 17 through Oct. 9. Created in partnership with Del Mar Village Association, the program encourages local residents to reserve tables on the ocean view courtyard as a place to eat take-out meals from Del Mar restaurants.

Staff will monitor social distancing and cleaning protocols during and between seating sessions at 4 and 6:30 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.delmar.ca.us/dineonthedeck

In other action, the City Council:

• Increased subsidies for business assistance permit fees from $500 to $750 per business;
• Increased by $2,500 the fund to subsidize business assistance permits for outdoor dining or merchandise displays;
• Agreed to allow businesses to temporarily place two A-frame signs, instead of just one, in the public right-of-way;
• Considered provisions for on-street dining, with an emphasis on safety and maintaining public access;
• Agreed to allow restaurants with Sidewalk Café Permits to remain open until 11 p.m., which complies with public health orders as indoor operations remain limited;
• Approved an approach to allow businesses to erect temporary overhead coverings -- again in response to limited indoor operations and in preparation for fall weather;
• Accepted a $20,000 donation from an anonymous donor to assist businesses in the form of:
• $10,000 to fund a Shop Local e-gift card program in cooperation with Del Mar Village Association;
• Additional funding for downtown cleaning and improvements.

Every business is different. Accordingly, the City is prepared to tailor its one-on-one approach to working with businesses to best suit their needs while maintaining clear access and safety within the public right-of-way.

For information on business assistance, contact Beth Murray: 858-704-3646 or bmurray@delmar.ca.us.

Open the COVID-19 Business Resources webpage

This press release was produced by the City of Del Mar . The views expressed here are the author’s own.