Title
Resolution to Approve the Management Agreement with Washtenaw County to Administer the Barrier Busters Program and to Release the Fund Balance of $13,613.00 in the Ann Arbor Assistance Fund (0038) to Washtenaw County ($13,613.00 Ann Arbor Assistance Fund) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval is a resolution for an agreement with Washtenaw County to manage the Barrier Busters program and authorization to release the fund balance in the Ann Arbor Assistance Fund to Washtenaw County.
City Council established the Ann Arbor Assistance Fund (0038) in 1984 as a mechanism by which individual donors and the business community could make tax-deductible donations to assist Ann Arbor residents to prevent eviction and utility shut-off. The Barrier Busters Emergency Unmet Needs Fund was established to receive funds from state, local, and private agencies that can be accessed by a single point of entry application to reduce barriers and resolve urgent or crisis situations for individuals and families in need.
Previously, the City of Ann Arbor maintained an agreement with the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation to manage the funds through Barrier Busters. In March 2008, administration of the Barrier Busters Emergency Unmet Needs Fund was transferred to the Office of Community Development as a Washtenaw County administered program. As a joint City/County office, Community Development is uniquely situated to coordinate the City and County funds contributed to the Barrier Busters Unmet Needs Fund. In support of this coordination effort, the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation cancelled its agreement with the City to administer the Ann Arbor Assistance Fund in August 2008.
The County will use and distribute the funds to provide assistance to Ann Arbor residents who are in danger of losing their housing or utility services because of serious financial problems. The County will require documentation as part of the application process to establish that an applicant has household income of less than 50% of the City of Ann Arbor's median income. Only one assistance payment per applicant will be made during any twelve-month period and that assistance payment will not exceed the amount of the housing payment for two months and/or the amount needed to continue or reinstate utility service.
Release of the fund balance in the Ann Arbor Assistance Fund on a quarterly basis to Washtenaw County instead of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation will improve coordination and accountability of funds. Funds continue to be used exclusively for low-income City of Ann Arbor residents. The fund balance is currently $13,613.
Staff
Prepared by: Jennifer Hall, Housing Manager, Anita Mure, Fiscal Analyst, Mary Jo Callan, Community Development Director
Reviewed by: Jayne Miller, Community Services Administrator
Body
Whereas, City Council established the Ann Arbor Assistance Fund in January 1984 as a mechanism by which individual donors and the business community could make tax-deductible donations to help their neighbors in crisis situations;
Whereas, City Council established that Ann Arbor Assistance Fund be used for unmet emergency needs of eviction prevention and utility shut-off prevention;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, in collaboration with local nonprofit organizations, has formed the Barrier Busters program in an attempt to remove unnecessary administrative barriers to citizens receiving needed emergency services;
Whereas, The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation has relinquished management of Barrier Busters funds to Washtenaw County;
Whereas, A separate designated account with Washtenaw County shall be established to receive and manage funds received from the Ann Arbor Assistance fund as part of the Barrier Busters program;
Whereas, Washtenaw County has agreed to follow the guidelines established by City Council for oversight and management of the Ann Arbor Assistance Fund in connection with the expenditure of funds for emergency services in the City; and
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor desires to improve the customer service to those citizens who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or otherwise in need of emergency services by removing unnecessary administrative requirements;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and Council approve a management agreement with Washtenaw County and authorize the City Administrator to execute the management agreement;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and Council authorize the release of the fund balance, currently $13,613.00, in the Ann Arbor Assistance Fund from water bill donations, to Washtenaw County for expenditures in connection with the Barrier Busters program;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and Council authorize the quarterly release of funds deposited into the Ann Arbor Assistance Fund to the County for the duration of the management agreement; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator, or his designee, be authorized to take necessary administrative actions and to execute any additional documents necessary to complete this transaction and to implement this resolution.