Title
Resolution to Approve City of Ann Arbor and County of Washtenaw Operational Agreement for the Office of Community Development
Memorandum
Attached for your approval is a resolution to approve an operational agreement between the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County for the Office of Community Development (OCD). The operational agreement has been prepared to allow further collaborative efforts between the City and County and address issues that have arisen from operating a combined OCD. It will replace the current contracts for services and lease for office space that will expire June 30, 2009. As part of this agreement, the County will provide the City with services necessary to execute the functions of the OCD, referenced in the current contracts for services, such as management of the City's Housing and Human Services programs, provision of customer and stakeholder customer service, and coordination of City and County human services activities. The agreement also addresses financial responsibilities and day-to-day functions of the OCD.
Approval of this operational agreement will authorize the expenditure of up to $150,933.00 to be paid to the County for FY10 operational costs. This expenditure includes management of the General Fund (Human Services contracts) and Affordable Housing Trust Fund, City-related functions of the OCD, and the use of office space. There are three City employees who will continue to work in the Office of Community Development. They will provide the County with general administrative and customer support and coordination and facilitation of the rehabilitation and inspections of homes and rental units occupied by lower income residents. The County will reimburse the City up to $247,200.00 for these services in FY10.
The operational agreement will supplement the partnership agreement between the City and County, which was adopted by City Council in July 2006 for the joint management of the OCD. The partnership agreement helped to create the foundation for more collaborative efforts within the OCD, as the need arose for work assignments and activities to be assigned to employees across the two organizations.
In April 2008, City Council authorized the City to join the Washtenaw Urban County for a three-year pilot term beginning in July 2009 through June 2012. By joining the Urban County, the City has taken a crucial step toward realizing the vision set forth in 2004 of fully integrating the City and County community development functions and staffing. Becoming a member of the Urban County will enable the City to join with the County and other local jurisdictions to identify and address regional housing and human service needs of those who are most vulnerable in our community.
The term of the operational agreement begins July 1, 2009 and will remain in effect through June 30, 2010, at which time a revised agreement will be prepared to address compensation for fiscal year 2011. The operational agreement has been reviewed by both the City Attorney's Office and the County's Office of Corporation Counsel.
Staff
Prepared by: Laurie Foondle, Community Services
Reviewed by: Mary Jo Callan, Community Development Manager
Jayne Miller, Community Services Administrator
Approved by: Roger W. Fraser, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, In October 2004, the City and County created a joint Office of Community Development (OCD) to operate their respective Community Development Departments;
Whereas, In June 2008, the City and County entered into an Urban County Cooperation Agreement covering the Community Development Block Grant Entitlement Program, HOME Investment Partnership Program, and Neighborhood Stabilization Program for the period of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012;
Whereas, Since the creation of the combined OCD and adoption of the Washtenaw Urban County Cooperative Agreement, it has become clear that further collaborative efforts between City and County should be undertaken;
Whereas, An Operational Agreement between the City and County that includes the services of the OCD Director and various supporting positions of the County, such as the Housing Manager, Operations Manager, Fiscal Analyst, Intake Specialist, and Human Services Analyst, and the services of supporting OCD positions of the City, such as the Administrative Support Specialist and Housing Rehabilitation Specialist I and II, will allow for such further collaborative efforts between the two organizations; and
Whereas, The City and County now desire to execute this Operational Agreement to specify the services each will provide given the Partnership Agreement and Urban County Cooperative Agreement;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve the City of Ann Arbor and County of Washtenaw Operational Agreement for the Office of Community Development;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve the expenditure of up to $150,933.00 in FY10, as budgeted, for reimbursement to the County for all services provided to the City as provided for under this Operational Agreement;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be hereby authorized and directed to execute this agreement with Washtenaw County consistent with this resolution, subject to 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 execute on behalf of the City any action necessary to implement this resolution.