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
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 $25,000; (6) LGBTQ Fresno $12,740; (7) Oasis Legal $5,160;
2. RESOLUTION - 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 approve the recommendation of seven service proposals to the following organizations allocating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for local Community Based Organizations (CBOs) totaling $100,000 (Bid File 12402305): Trans-e-motion $10,000; BlaQueer Fresno $20,000; Casita Feliz $13,500.00; Dulce Upfront Labs $13,600; South Tower Land Trust $25,000; LGBTQ Fresno $12,740; Oasis Legal $5,160; and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute contracts with each Community Based Organizations (CBOs) as approved to provide a variety of programs and services that will ultimately serve to continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In June 2023, Council approved an allocation of $100,000 in ARPA funding to provide grants to organizations that serve the LGBTQIA+ community in Fresno. Through the Office of Community Affairs LGBTQIA+ Liaison within the office of the Mayor and City Manager a Request For Proposals (RFP) was initiated. Through this formal process seven proposals were submitted totaling $185,354 through the City’s Planet Bids portal. All proposals were vetted for eligibility based on each agency’s self-identified APRA category determination and the U.S Treasury’s ARPA requirements and guidelines. Of eligible ARPA categories, priorities were identified by four individual community meetings and a collection of community members. The review committee consisted of 20 members of the LGBTQIA+ community in Fresno consisting of representatives from various districts and cultural groups. All seven proposals are recommended for award.
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 Community Based Organizations (CBOs) for projects that aid in the recovery of the COVID-19 pandemic and serve the LGBTQIA+ community.
In order to determine priorities for funding, four individual community meetings were held to identify the most important needs of the LGBTQIA+ community in Fresno. Information gathered at these meetings informed the priorities outlined in the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). Through a formal RFP, seven proposals were submitted totaling $185,354 through the City’s Planet Bids portal. All proposals were vetted for eligibility based on each agency’s self-identified APRA category determination and the U.S Treasury’s ARPA requirements and guidelines.
On March 1, 2024, a NOFA for COVID-19 recovery related services in the City of Fresno targeted to organizations that serve the LGBTQIA+ community was published through our purchasing department via the City’s Planet Bids portal with a due date of April 30, 2024. Eight proposals were submitted prior to the deadline, however seven were deemed complete and were determined ready for the review process. In May 2024, program summaries and program/project categories were reviewed to determine eligibility requirements in alignment with the U.S. Treasury ARPA eligible categories.
Seven proposals were advanced to the next round of the review process. On May 30, 2024, the review committee, consisting of members from the LGBTQIA+ community within various council districts and cultural groups, met in person to discuss the proposals and offer input and recommendations. After a detailed discussion, the committee narrowed the proposals down to the following for recommendations. Here is a brief summary of each proposal:
Trans-e-motion $10,000; This proposal will provide training, informing, honoring and surveying with and for the Transgender community by training healthcare professionals, public Info sessions, visibility campaigns, and surveying the community.
BlaQueer Fresno $20,000; This proposal will provide Fresno outreach to the African American LGBTQ+ community, with an informational series geared toward shedding light on disparities within the LGBTQ+ community, with a special emphasis on sexual health, mental well-being, interpersonal relationships, and capacity building.
Casita Feliz $13,500.00; This proposal is geared to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and resilience of the Latinx LGBTQ+ community in Fresno, California. Events will be geared to build LGBTQ+ community, collaboration and support around Cinco De Mayo, Hispanic Heritage Month, Dia de Muertos events.
Dulce Upfront Labs $13,600; This proposal will help with strengthening BIPOC & LGBTQ+ connections through wellness, healing, performances, education and engagement.
South Tower Land Trust $25,000; This proposal will provide support for the 1 day Queer Housing Summit at the Tower Theatre to enhance community learning and engagement, while fostering communal understanding, and sculpting a pragmatic vision for inclusive housing solutions.
LGBTQ Fresno $12,740; This proposal will strengthen the community with social gatherings, inclusive meetings, peer support, digital inclusion and outings. Through a combination of youth-led activities and social enrichment, to create a supportive environment where adolescents can thrive.
Oasis Legal $5,160; This proposal will provide free and low-cost culturally responsive legal services and social services navigation to LGBTQ+ immigrants and asylum seekers. We will use these funds to track and report on serving LGBTQ+ 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.
Attachments:
Resolution
Sample Grant Agreement