Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a First Amendment to the Homeless Emergency Aid Program Grant, Increasing the Amount by $104,576 for a Total Amount of $861,100. (Community Development 10061833)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The County of Alameda (County) has offered to increase the City of Alameda’s (City) Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) grant funding by $104,576 for a total of $861,100 to cover overages in the HEAP program costs. In order to receive the additional funds, staff is recommending that the City Manager to enter into a contract with the County to receive the HEAP funds.
BACKGROUND
In 2018, Senate Bill (SB) 850 established HEAP, a $500 million block grant that provided immediate emergency assistance to people experiencing homelessness in California. Funds were allocated by formula to counties and to large cities with populations over 330,000. The City was allocated $756,524 in HEAP funds through the County. These funds have been spent in full by the required deadline of June 30, 2021.
On July 16, 2019, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a two-year contract with the County and appropriated funds to implement the City HEAP plan. The plan was fully implemented. The City’s HEAP programs are as follows:
• Construction of the Day Center and Safe Parking for unhoused individuals
• Operation of the Day Center and Safe Parking for unhoused individuals
• Dine and Connect food program to feed unhoused individuals
• Flexible financial subsidies for households undergoing financial crisis, including housed and unhoused individuals
• A shower facility at the seasonal warming shelter
The City has continued to fund the operations of the Day Center and Safe Parking. The Dine and Connect is funded in part by the City in partnership with the All Faith Collation and the Alameda Food Bank. The shower facility is operated by Christ Church by appointment.
DISCUSSION
City staff learned that the County may have additional HEAP grant funds available. In March, 2021, during closeout of the HEAP grant, staff submitted a letter to the County requesting additional funding for expenses incurred totaling $104,576 more than what was granted by HEAP (see Exhibit 1). In June, 2021 staff was sent an amendment to the HEAP contract (see Exhibit 2) for execution to allow for an increase in grant funding amount.
ALTERNATIVES
• Authorize the City Manager to execute a first amendment to the HEAP Grant for an amount not to exceed $861,100. The $104,576 will be used to reimburse the General Fund (the staff recommendation).
• Decline to approve the resolution and the County contract amendment.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The City Council previously approved the original contract and the contract amendments as presented below:
|
Contract |
Approval Date |
Contract Amount |
Expended to Date |
|
Original Contract |
July 16, 2019 |
$756,524 |
$756,524 |
|
Proposed First Amendment |
|
$104,576 |
$104,576 |
|
Total |
|
$861,100 |
$861,100 |
The proposed contract amendment would have a positive impact on the General Fund as it would reimburse the City for expenses already incurred using existing appropriations in Fiscal Year 2020-21. No additional appropriations are needed to accept the additional HEAP funding.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Social Services and Human Relations Board Charter and Ordinance authority “to improve social services in the community” (Alameda Municipal Code Section 2-11.5) and the Report on Homelessness Policies and Programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA guidelines section 15061(b)(3) as there is no possibility that this action may have a significant effect on the environment.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a first amendment to the HEAP grant Homeless Emergency Aid Program Grant increasing the amount by $104,576 for a total amount of $861,100.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager requests approval to authorize execution of the first amendment to the HEAP grant.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Maxwell, Community Development Director
By:
Lois Butler, Economic Development and Community Services Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Annie To, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Letter to the County Requesting Additional Funding
2. First Amendment to the HEAP Contract
3. Alameda County HEAP Contract (Fully Executed)
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager
Gerry Beaudin, Assistant City Manager