Title
Resolution to Approve and Accept Various Grant Fund Opportunities and Appropriate Funding ($13,274,184) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating effects on the world economy. The City of Ann Arbor has experienced this most profoundly in loss of revenue. City staff has endeavored to find solutions to balance our budget given revised revenue estimates. These solutions have been primarily expenditure reductions.
Several Federal and State grant opportunities are available that will provide relief to the City, its residents, and its employees. The table below summarizes these opportunities:
The U.S. Department of Justice Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) Program will provide funding to assist eligible states, local units of government, and tribes in preventing, preparing for, and responding to the coronavirus. The City has been allocated $59,184, and application for the grant has been made to cover costs of personal protective equipment for Police.
The State of Michigan First Responder Hazard Pay Premiums Program (FRHPPP) covers the cost of providing $1,000 hazard pay bonuses to all Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers. The City must pay these bonuses by September 30, 2020 and will be reimbursed by November 14, 2020.
The State of Michigan Public Safety and Public Health Payroll Reimbursement Program (PSPHPR) was created to reimburse for eligible public safety and public health payroll expenditures. Round One provides reimbursement for April and May 2020 public safety and public health payroll expenditures. Round Two will provide reimbursement for June and July public safety and public health payroll expenditures, to the extent that funding is available.
The EGLE Water & Wastewater Assistance Program provides for the reimbursement of water and wastewater arrearages of up to $700 for eligible residents. The residents must participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to be eligible for this program. Residents will be prequalified by community action agencies, who will coordinate the process of drawing down funds and remitting them to water and wastewater service suppliers. In order to participate, the City must opt in to the program, commit to not shut off water to participants for 90 days after they receive assistance, and provide a credit of 25% of the amount billed through December 1, 2020.
Staff
Prepared by: Matthew V. Horning, Interim CFO & Financial Services Area Administrator
Reviewed by: Betsy Blake, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Approved by: Tom Crawford, Interim City Administrator
Body
Whereas, City staff has endeavored to find solutions to balance our budget given revised revenue estimates;
Whereas, Several Federal and State grant opportunities are available that will provide relief to the City, its residents, and its employees; and
Whereas, City Council adopts the State of Michigan guidance that personnel in the field of public safety are presumed to be substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency for administrative convenience;
RESOLVED, That City Council authorizes the application for, acceptance of, and drawing down of grant funds related to the U.S. Department of Justice Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) Program in the amount of $59,184;
RESOLVED, That City Council appropriates $59,184 to the Major Grants Fund expenditure budget for the purpose of public safety response supplies with the source of revenue from the U.S. Department of Justice Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) Program and that City Council approves a transfer of these funds from the Major Grants Fund to the General Fund as a reimbursement for the already incurred expenses for these supplies;
RESOLVED, That City Council authorizes the payment of $1,000 hazard pay bonuses to all City Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers in the total amount of $215,000 by September 30, 2020 to qualify for The State of Michigan First Responder Hazard Pay Premiums Program (FRHPPP);
RESOLVED, That City Council authorizes the application for, acceptance of, and drawing down of grant funds in the amount of $215,000 related to The State of Michigan First Responder Hazard Pay Premiums Program (FRHPPP);
RESOLVED, That City Council appropriates $215,000 to the Major Grants Fund expenditure budget for the purpose of hazard pay bonuses to all City Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers with the source of revenue from the State of Michigan First Responder Hazard Pay Premiums Program (FRHPPP) and that City Council approves that the expense incurred for this shall be transferred from the General Fund to the Major Grants fund;
RESOLVED, That City Council authorizes the application for, acceptance of, and drawing down of grant funds in an amount not to exceed $6,000,000 related to The State of Michigan Public Safety and Public Health Payroll Reimbursement Program (PSPHPR), Round One;
RESOLVED, That City Council appropriate up to $6,000,000 to the Major Grants Fund expenditure budget for the purpose of public safety payroll reimbursement (round one) with the source of revenue from the State of Michigan Public Safety and Public Health Payroll Reimbursement Program (PSPHPR), Round One and that City Council approves a transfer of these funds from the Major Grants Fund to the General Fund as a reimbursement for these already incurred payroll expenses;
RESOLVED, That City Council authorizes the application for, acceptance of, and drawing down of grant funds in an amount not to exceed $7,000,000 related to The State of Michigan Public Safety and Public Health Payroll Reimbursement Program (PSPHPR), Round Two, if available;
RESOLVED, That City Council appropriate up to $7,000,000 to the Major Grants Fund expenditure budget for the purpose of public safety payroll reimbursement (round two) with the source of revenue from the State of Michigan Public Safety and Public Health Payroll Reimbursement Program (PSPHPR), Round Two and that City Council approves a transfer of these funds from the Major Grants Fund to the General Fund as a reimbursement for these already incurred payroll expenses;
RESOLVED, That City Council authorizes opting in to the EGLE Water & Wastewater Assistance Program;
RESOLVED, That City Council authorizes the requirement that those receiving EGLE Water & Wastewater Assistance will not have water service shut off for nonpayment until at least 90 days after the assistance is received;
RESOLVED, That City Council authorizes the requirement that those receiving EGLE Water & Wastewater Assistance will be eligible to receive a 25% credit per program guidelines;
RESOLVED, That City Council authorizes the application for, acceptance of, and drawing down of grant funds related to the EGLE Water & Wastewater Assistance Program;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute any agreements related to the grants referenced herein after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take all appropriate actions to implement this resolution including execution of any grant awards documentation or amendments that do not exceed the amounts authorized herein.