HomeMy WebLinkAboutC2020-432 - 12/8/2020 - Approved CHAPTER 380 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS AND LIFTFUND INC.
(Fourth 380 Agreement)
This Chapter 380 Economic Development Incentive Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into
between the City of Corpus Christi, Texas, a home-rule municipality ("City") and LiftFund Inc.
(`Nonprofit"), a Texas nonprofit corporation.
WHEREAS, the City has established a program in accordance with Article III, Section 52-a of
the Texas Constitution and Chapter 380 of the Texas Local Government Code ("Chapter 380")
under which the City has the authority to make loans of public funds for the purposes of
promoting local economic development and stimulating business and commercial activity
within the City;
WHEREAS, the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, has created a global pandemic and
led to shuttering of many local small businesses, which are in need of relief so that they may
continue to provide meaningful, wealth-producing jobs in the future;
WHEREAS, the Nonprofit has proposed to administer a grant program for the City, which will
serve as a business incubator to assist small businesses in their ongoing expenses and lead
to the creation of meaningful, wealth-producing jobs within the City (the "Project");
WHEREAS, the Corpus Christi City Council has authorized City to make certain economic
development grants up to $600,000 through Nonprofit in recognition of, conditioned upon and
derived from the positive economic benefits that will accrue to City through Nonprofit's
administration of a loan program providing relief to small businesses and requiring creation
and/or retention of jobs;
WHEREAS, the City has concluded and hereby finds that this Agreement promotes economic
development in the City of Corpus Christi and, as such, meets the requirements under
Chapter 380 and the City's established economic development program, and, further, is in the
best interests of the City and Nonprofit;
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the positive economic impact that the Project will bring to the
City through development and diversification of the economy, reduction of unemployment and
underemployment through the creation or retention of jobs. the attraction of new businesses.
and the additional tax revenue generated by the Project for the City; and
WHEREAS, to ensure that the benefits the City provides under this Agreement are utilized in
a manner consistent with Article III, Section 52-a of the Texas Constitution. Chapter 380 of
the Texas Local Government Code and other law. the Nonprofit has agreed to comply with
certain conditions to the payment of those benefits:
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SCANNED
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual benefits described in this Agreement, and
for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, City and Nonprofit agree as follows:
1 . The recitals to this Agreement are hereby incorporated for all purposes.
2. Effective Date. The effective date of this Agreement ("Effective Date") is the latest date
that either party executes this Agreement, or the date this Agreement has been finally
approved by the Corpus Christi City Council. Nonprofit understands that this Agreement is
dependent upon the approval of the Corpus Christ City Council.
3. Term. The term of this Agreement is for 180 days beginning on the Effective Date.
4. Performance Requirements.
a. Nonprofit agrees to use the $600,000 described below as a grant fund to provide
grants to small businesses in Corpus Christi, in accordance with the Nonprofit's
proposal, which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated by reference as if
laid out herein in its entirety.
b. Nonprofit agrees to provide the City with a sworn certificate by an authorized
representative of the Nonprofit, certifying the amount used.
c. Nonprofit will ensure that small business receiving grant funds will remain in
operation for at least 60 days after the grant payment and continue to pay employees.
d. If at the end of the Term of this Agreement. any funds provided to Nonprofit under
this Agreement have not been used to provide grants to small businesses within the
City. Nonprofit shall, within 30 days after the end of this Term, return those remaining
funds. including any fees associated with those funds, to the City.
e. The City may audit Nonprofit's records to determine their compliance with the terms
of this Agreement. Nonprofit, during normal business hours shall allow City reasonable
access to its records and books and all other relevant records related to each of the
economic development considerations and incentives and performance requirements,
as stated in this Agreement.
5. City's Responsibility. The City will grant Nonprofit a one-time payment in the amount of
$600,000, to be paid to Nonprofit as soon as possible following receipt of a correct invoice
from Nonprofit requesting the funds.
6. Warranties. Nonprofit warrants and represents to City the following:
a. Nonprofit is a non-profit corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Texas and has all power and authority to carry
on its business as presently conducted in Corpus Christi, Texas.
b. Nonprofit has the authority to enter into and perform, and will perform, the terms of
this Agreement to the best of its ability.
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c. Nonprofit has timely filed and will timely file all local, State, and Federal tax reports
and returns required by laws to be filed and all taxes, assessments, fees, and other
governmental charges, including applicable ad valorem taxes, have been timely paid,
and will be timely paid, during the term of this Agreement.
d. Nonprofit acknowledges that the funds transferred under this Agreement must be
utilized solely for purposes authorized under State law and by the terms of this
Agreement.
e. The person executing this Agreement on behalf of Nonprofit is duly authorized to
execute this Agreement on behalf of Nonprofit.
f. Nonprofit does not and agrees that it will not knowingly employ an undocumented
worker. If, after receiving payments under this Agreement, Nonprofit is convicted of a
violation under 8 U.S.C. Section 1324a(f), Nonprofit shall repay any funds received
under this Agreement to the City, with interest at the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate,
not later than the 120th day after the date Nonprofit has been notified of the violation.
7. Compliance with Laws. During the Term of this Agreement, Nonprofit shall observe and
obey all applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, and rules of the Federal, State, county, and
city governments.
8. Non-Discrimination. Nonprofit covenants and agrees that Nonprofit will not discriminate
nor permit discrimination against any person or group of persons, with regard to employment
and the provision of services at, on, or in the Project, on the grounds of race, religion, national
origin, marital status, sex, age, disability, or in any manner prohibited by the laws of the United
States or the State of Texas.
9. Force Majeure. If the City or Nonprofit are prevented, wholly or in part, from fulfilling its
obligations under this Agreement by reason of any act of God, unavoidable accident, acts of
enemies, fires, floods, governmental restraint or regulation, other causes of force majeure, or
by reason of circumstances beyond its control, then the obligations of the City or Nonprofit
are temporarily suspended during continuation of the force majeure. If either party's obligation
is affected by any of the causes of force majeure, the party affected shall promptly notify the
other party in writing, giving full particulars of the force majeure as soon as possible after the
occurrence of the cause or causes relied upon.
10. Assignment. Nonprofit may not assign all or any part of its rights, privileges, or duties
under this Agreement without the prior written approval of the City. Such approval will not be
unreasonably denied. Any attempted assignment without approval is void and constitutes a
breach of this Agreement.
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11. Indemnity. Nonprofit covenants to fully indemnify, save, and hold
harmless the City, and its officers, employees, and agents ("Indemnitees")
against all liability, damage, loss, claims demands, and actions of any kind
on account of personal injuries (including, without limiting the foregoing,
workers' compensation and death claims), or property loss or damage of
any kind, which arise out of, or are claimed to arise out of Nonprofit's
activities conducted under or incidental to this Agreement. Nonprofit
must, at its own expense, investigate all those claims and demands, attend
to their settlement or other disposition, defend all actions based on those
claims and demands with counsel satisfactory to Indemnitees, which
choice of counsel shall not be unreasonably denied, and pay all charges
of attorneys and all other costs and expenses of any kind arising from the
liability, damage, loss, claims, demands, or actions. The requirements of
this provision will survive the expiration or earlier termination of the
Agreement.
12. Events of Default by Nonprofit. The following events constitute a default of this Agreement
by Nonprofit:
a. The City determines that any representation or warranty on behalf of Nonprofit
contained in this Agreement or in any financial statement, certificate, report, or opinion
submitted to the City in connection with this Agreement was incorrect or misleading in
any material respect when made.
b. Any judgment is assessed against Nonprofit or any attachment or other levy against
the property of Nonprofit with respect to a claim under this agreement remains unpaid,
undischarged, or not dismissed for a period of 120 days.
c. Nonprofit makes an assignment of funds received under this agreement for the
benefit of creditors.
d. Nonprofit files a petition in bankruptcy or is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt.
e. If taxes owed by Nonprofit become delinquent, and Nonprofit fails to timely and
properly follow the legal procedures for protest or contest.
f. Nonprofit changes the general character of business as conducted as of the date this
Agreement is approved by the City.
g. Nonprofit fails to comply with one or more terms of this Agreement.
13. Notice of Default. Should the City determine that Nonprofit is in default according to the
terms of this Agreement, the City shall notify Nonprofit in writing of the event of default and
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provide 60 days from the date of the notice ("Cure Period") for Nonprofit to cure the event of
default.
14. Results of Uncured Default by Nonprofit. After exhausting good faith attempts to address
any default during the Cure Period and taking into account any extenuating circumstances
that might have occurred through no fault of Nonprofit, as determined by the City Manager,
the following actions may be taken for any default that remains uncured after the Cure Period.
a. Nonprofit shall immediately repay all unexpended funds paid by City to it under this
Agreement.
b. Nonprofit shall pay City's reasonable attorney fees and costs of court to collect
amounts due to City if not immediately repaid upon demand from the City.
c. Upon payment by Nonprofit of all sums due, the City and Nonprofit shall have no
further obligations to one another under this Agreement.
15. No Waiver.
a. No waiver of any covenant or condition, or the breach of any covenant or condition
of this Agreement, constitutes a waiver of any subsequent breach of the covenant or
condition of the Agreement.
b. No waiver of any covenant or condition, or the breach of any covenant or condition
of this Agreement, justifies or authorizes the nonobservance on any other occasion of
the covenant or condition or any other covenant or condition of this Agreement.
c. Any waiver or indulgence of Nonprofit's default may not be considered an estoppel
against the City.
d. It is expressly understood that if at any time Nonprofit is in default in any of its
conditions or covenants of this Agreement, the failure on the part of the City to promptly
avail itself of the rights and remedies that the City may have, will not be considered a
waiver on the part of the City, but City may at any time avail itself of the rights or
remedies or elect to terminate this Agreement on account of the default.
16. Nonprofit specifically agrees that City shall only be liable to Nonprofit for the actual amount
of the money to be conveyed to Nonprofit, and shall not be liable to Nonprofit for any actual
or consequential damages, direct or indirect, interest, attorney fees, or cost of court for any
act of default by City under the terms of this Agreement. Payment by City is strictly limited to
those funds so allocated, budgeted, and collected solely during the term of this Agreement.
17. The parties mutually agree and understand that funding under this Agreement is subject
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to annual appropriations by the City Council; that each fiscal year's funding must be included
in the budget for that year; and the funding is not effective until approved by the City Council.
18. Notices.
a. Any required written notices shall be sent mailed, certified mail, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:
Nonprofit:
LiftFund Inc.
Attn.: Janie Barrera
2007 West Martin Street
San Antonio, Texas 78207
Corpus Christi, TX 78413
City:
City of Corpus Christi
Attn.: City Manager
P.O. Box 9277
Corpus Christi, Texas 78469-9277
b. A copy of all notices and correspondence must be sent the City at the following
address:
City of Corpus Christi
Attn.: City Attorney
P.O. Box 9277
Corpus Christi, Texas 78469-9277
c. Notice is effective upon deposit in the United States mail in the manner provided
above.
19. Amendments or Modifications. No amendments or modifications to this Agreement may
be made, nor any provision waived, unless in writing signed by a person duly authorized to
sign Agreements on behalf of each party.
20. Relationship of Parties. In performing this Agreement, both the City and Nonprofit will act
in an individual capacity, and not as agents, representatives, employees, employers, partners,
joint-venturers, or associates of one another. The employees or agents of either party may
not be, nor be construed to be, the employees or agents of the other party for any purpose.
21. Captions. The captions in this Agreement are for convenience only and are not a part of
this Agreement. The captions do not in any way limit or amplify the terms and provisions of
this Agreement.
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22. Severability.
a. If for any reason, any section, paragraph, subdivision, clause, provision, phrase or
word of this Agreement or the application of this Agreement to any person or
circumstance is, to any extent, held illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or
future law or by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, then the remainder
of this Agreement, or the application of the term or provision to persons or
circumstances other than those as to which it is held illegal, invalid, or unenforceable,
will not be affected by the law or judgment, for it is the definite intent of the parties to
this Agreement that every section, paragraph, subdivision, clause, provision, phrase,
or word of this Agreement be given full force and effect for its purpose.
b. To the extent that any clause or provision is held illegal, invalid, or unenforceable
under present or future law effective during the term of this Agreement, then the
remainder of this Agreement is not affected by the law, and in lieu of any illegal, invalid,
or unenforceable clause or provision, a clause or provision, as similar in terms to the
illegal, invalid, or unenforceable clause or provision as may be possible and be legal,
valid, and enforceable, will be added to this Agreement automatically.
23. Venue and Law. Venue for any legal action related to this Agreement is in Nueces
County, Texas. This Agreement is subject to all legal requirements in City Charter and Code
of Ordinances of City of Corpus Christi, Texas and all other applicable County, State and
Federal laws, and Nonprofit agrees that it will promptly comply with all such applicable laws,
regulations, orders and rules of the State, City and other applicable governmental agencies.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws and court
decisions of the State of Texas without regard, however, to the conflicts of laws provisions of
Texas law.
24. Sole Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the sole Agreement between City and
Nonprofit. Any prior Agreements, promises, negotiations, or representations, verbal or
otherwise, not expressly stated in this Agreement, are of no force and effect.
25. Survival of terms of Agreement and obligations of parties. The terms of this Agreement
and the obligation of the parties relating to Section 14 shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
26. Public Information Act Requirements. The requirements of Subchapter J, Chapter 552,
Government Code, may apply to this contract and the Nonprofit agrees that the contract can
be terminated if the Nonprofit knowingly or intentionally fails to comply with a requirement of
that subchapter.
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26. Public Information Act Requirements. The requirements of Subchapter J, Chapter 552,
Government Code, may apply to this contract and the Nonprofit agrees that the contract can
be terminated if the Nonprofit knowingly or intentionally fails to comply with a requirement of
that subchapter.
27. Certificate of Interested Parties. Nonprofit agrees to comply with Texas Government Code
Section 2252.908, as it may be amended, and to complete Form 1295 "Certificate of
Interested Parties" as part of this Agreement if required by said statute.
City of Corpus Christi APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
By: ,P , /UvlAuk ae-t-i, gt-,f•
I Zf! I/ zo
Peter Zanoni
City Manager ssistant City Attorney Date
Date: ',_ - I s — i _1 a)
'
Attest �. o2/7 ° 1����a�'a AtfTNORtIr+
By: I �ci a- acv
Rebecca Huerta
City Secretary ,
..............----...,-.........111
CF(;RFTAP�' L
LiftFund Inc.
,
By: — / %►�
Ja ie Barre
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: jo/ /O po 2a
THE STATE OF TEXAS §
COUNTY OF BEXAR §
This instrument was acknowledged before me once-et'R' /6 , 2020, by Janie
Barrera, President and Chief Executive Officer for LiftFund, Inc., a Texas non-profit
corporation, on behalf ofZthe corporation.
� 7I+.) G�
Notap?Public, State of Texas MARY HELEN Atvai9ADo
1 • ,1tY P„;��
;=n, c�:Notary Public,State of Texas
I1=N' Pf Comm.Expires 11-10-2024
1! '0 Notary ID 4989458
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