The City Council examined ways to help small businesses affected by Sandy Monday.

Council members focused on the more than 13,000 small business that were located in the flood zone when the storm struck.

Among the proposals discussed Monday were legislation to waive application and permit fees during rebuilding, and a campaign to promote businesses who lost customers since reopening their doors.

"We need to do more, and that was the first thing we raised when we had that meeting with the mayor's office, the deputy mayor, is that you have to help promote the small business," City Councilwoman Margaret Chin said. "Whatever mechanism that the city has, you have to let people know that we're back in business, and we need the visitors and we need the customers to come back."

The council says it will co-host a series of insurance seminars for small businesses starting on March 1.