Title
Adoption of Resolution to Increase Expenditure Appropriations in the American Rescue Plan 2021 Project (96034/C9930) in the Capital Projects Fund (310) by $23,625 for the Feed Alameda Program to Provide Alameda’s Most Vulnerable Residents with Hot Meals and to Provide Support to Alameda Restaurants (Community Development 24161823)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is requesting that City Council authorize the continuation of the Feed Alameda program. There are six restaurants that applied for the program, but did not have the opportunity to provide meals when program funding ran out in August 2021. The City Manager authorized additional funding to allow the program to continue until the City Council could hear this item and make a decision on the future of the program.
Staff is recommending that American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, in the amount of $23,625, be used to pay for the meals from August 25, 2021 until the remaining restaurants on the program application list have the opportunity to provide meals.
BACKGROUND
In January of 2021, the City of Alameda (City) established a program to help local restaurants generate income while also providing the city’s most vulnerable individuals with weekly meals. The City financially seeded the program now known as “Feed Alameda” with $25,000, and it raised an additional $51,094 from the community, including the Chamber of Commerce, and the Police Association.
Forty-three (43) restaurants signed up to participate in serving hot meals for Feed Alameda. To date, 34 restaurants were contacted to be part of the program. Two (2) restaurants declined; one was temporarily closed, and another restaurant did not serve hot food. To determine the order of service and the cutoff point based on the donations, the City entered the participating restaurants into a randomized lottery. At the time the funds were fully expended, nine (9) restaurants remained on the list and they were not yet able to participate in the program.
DISCUSSION
The funds for the Feed Alameda program ran out on August 11, 2021. Staff is requesting that the City Council authorize the continuation of the Feed Alameda program until the remaining six restaurants have the opportunity to provide meals for the program. The meals for August 18, 2021 were partially donated. To avoid a program interruption, the City Manager authorized three (3) additional weeks of meals, allowing time for the City Council to hear this item.
The City’s most vulnerable residents have greatly appreciated the meals, and the participating restaurants have appreciated the additional business. Supporting community members in need and local businesses is consistent with purpose and allowed use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Staff is recommending that ARPA funds, in the amount of $23,625, be used to pay for the meals from August 25, 2021 until the application list’s remaining restaurant has the opportunity to provide meals.
ALTERNATIVES
• Appropriate $23,625 in ARPA funds for the Feed Alameda Program to provide the City’s most vulnerable with hot meals and to support local restaurants ($6,750 for meals previously provided and/or obligated and $16,875 for meals to be provided).
• Appropriate $16,875 in ARPA funds for the Feed Alameda Program to provide future meals from the remaining restaurants only, which would require $6,750 from the FISC Fund.
• Discontinue the program and decline to provide additional support.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This is a new appropriations request for $23,625 for the Feed Alameda Program. Staff is requesting Council approval to appropriate $23,625, or 0.2%, of the City’s $14,339,954 allocation of American Rescue Plan funding, which the City has received to date from the U.S. Treasury. If approved, the remaining $14,316,329 of American Rescue Plan funding would be subject to further City Council appropriations approval. This matter is being put forward now and as a standalone request for ARPA funding due to the time-sensitive nature of the situation.
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|
Budget Request |
Revenue/ Expenditure |
Fund Number |
Fund Description |
Project Number |
Project Name |
Budget Amount |
|
Feed Alameda |
New Appropriation Request |
Increase Expenditure Budget |
310 |
Capital Projects |
96034 (Legacy) C9930 (Munis) |
American Rescue Plan 2021 |
$23,625 |
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Social Service Human Relations Board Charter and Ordinance authority “to improve social services in the community” (Alameda Municipal Code Section 2-9.1).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) section 15378(b)(5) (not a project); and section 15601(b)(3) (no significant environmental impact).
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution to increase expenditure appropriations in the American Rescue Plan 2021 project (96034/C9930) in the Capital Projects Fund (310) by $23,625 for the Feed Alameda Program to provide alameda’s most vulnerable residents with hot meals and to provide support to alameda restaurants ($6,750 for meals previously provided and $16,875 for meals to be provided).
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends approval of the resolution to appropriate $23,625 in ARPA funds for the Feed Alameda Program.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Nelson Maxwell, Community Development Director
By,
Lois Butler, Economic Development and Community Services Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Annie To, Finance Director
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager
Gerry Beaudin, Assistant City Manager