REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEORGEANNE A. WHITE, City Manager
Office of Mayor & City Manager
BY: ROBIN MCGEHEE, Community Liaison - Office of Community Affairs
Office of Mayor & City Manager
COURTNEY ESPINOZA, Business Manager
Finance Department, Grants Management Unit
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funding:
1. Approve the recommendation of seven service proposals allocating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for local Community Based Organizations (CBOs) totaling $100,000 (Bid File 12402305) to the following organizations: (1) Trans-e-motion $10,000; (2) BlaQueer Fresno $20,000; (3) Casita Feliz $13,500; (4) Dulce Upfront Labs $13,600; (5) South Tower Land Trust $5,000; (6) LGBTQ Fresno $12,740; (7) Oasis Legal $25,160;
2. RESOLUTION - Repealing and replacing Resolution No. 2024-192 and Granting Authority to the City Manager or designee to enter into agreements with Community Based Organizations to provide programs and services funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to aid in the COVID-19 Recovery Effort.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council amend resolution 2024-192 to increase funding to Oasis Legal by $20,000, for a total of $25,160 and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute a contract to support COVID-19 pandemic recovery services.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On August 29, 2024, Council approved the utilization of $80,000 of $100,000 set aside in ARPA funding to Community Based Organizations (CBOs) serving the LGBTQIA+ community as follows:
Ø Trans-e-motion - $10,000
Ø BlaQueer Fresno - $20,000
Ø Casita Feliz - $13,500
Ø Dulce Upfront Labs - $13,600
Ø South Tower Land Trust - $5,000
Ø LGBTQ Fresno - $12,740
Ø Oasis Legal - $5,160
In order to allocate the entire $100,000 in ARPA funding for CBOs serving the LGBTQIA+ community, staff recommends the additional allocation of $20,000 to Oasis Legal for a total of $25,160.
BACKGROUND
In 2021, the City of Fresno was awarded American Rescue Plan Act funding in the amount of $170,808,029. Of this funding, Council identified $100,000 to provide grant funding to local CBOs for projects that aid in the recovery of the COVID-19 pandemic and serve the LGBTQIA+ community.
On August 29, 2024, Council approved the allocation of funding from ARPA to the following organizations:
Ø Trans-e-motion - $10,000
Ø BlaQueer Fresno - $20,000
Ø Casita Feliz - $13,500
Ø Dulce Upfront Labs - $13,600
Ø South Tower Land Trust - $5,000
Ø LGBTQ Fresno - $12,740
Ø Oasis Legal - $5,160
To fully allocate the amount set aside in ARPA resources for LGBTQIA+ support services, the remaining $20,000 is recommended for Oasis Legal bringing the total to $25,160. The following is a summary of the program funded:
Oasis Legal $25,160 - This proposal will provide free and/or low-cost culturally responsive legal services and social services navigation to LGBTQIA+ immigrants and asylum seekers. Funding will be used to track and report on serving LGBTQIA+ immigrant population in Fresno.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, these recommendations do not qualify as a “project” as defined by CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
All of the organizations recommended are located in the City of Fresno and services proposed will assist City of Fresno residents.
FISCAL IMPACT
Proposals will be funded through American Rescue Plan Act funding and will not impact the general fund.
Attachment:
Amended Resolution 2024-192