Title
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EXTENDING ELIGIBILITY FOR COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDING FOR QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, SUCH AS THE DULUTH ENTERTAINMENT AND CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY AND THE SPIRIT MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA AUTHORITY.
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BY COUNCILOR FORSMAN:
WHEREAS, quasi-governmental entities that operate as "enterprise funds" designed to generate revenue to cover operational costs, such as the Duluth entertainment and convention center authority (DECC) and Spirit Mountain recreation area authority (Spirit Mountain), do not currently meet eligibility requirements for any of the various COVID-19 relief packages approved by the federal government; and
Whereas, both the DECC and Spirit Mountain halted and/or significantly scaled back revenue generating operations in 2020 to preserve public health and follow governmental executive orders and best practices; and
WHEREAS, both the DECC and Spirit Mountain have faced significant revenue decreases associated with actions taken to preserve public health; and
WHEREAS, entities like the DECC and Spirit Mountain are not supported by local property tax dollars; but like other businesses or nonprofits, generate revenue from user fees to pay for operational expenses; and
WHEREAS, entities like the DECC and Spirit Mountain do not have independent taxing authority; and
WHEREAS, entities like the DECC and Spirit Mountain are cornerstones of the Duluth and Northeastern Minnesota regional tourism and hospitality industries; and
WHEREAS, entities like the DECC and Spirit Mountain provide hundreds of direct and indirect jobs when operating under normal business conditions.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Duluth city council supports the federal government extending eligibility for COVID-19 relief funding for quasi-governmental entities, such as the DECC and Spirit Mountain, that primarily rely on revenue-generation to cover operational costs similar to businesses and nonprofits.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLV...
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