REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SANTINO DANISI, MBA, City Controller/Finance Director
Finance Department
BY: COURTNEY ESPINOZA, Administrative Manager
Finance Department
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the First Amendment to the Agreement with Lighthouse for Children, Inc. allocating an additional $75,375 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support a partnership with the Dollywood Foundation implementing the Imagination Library program in the City of Fresno.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve the First Amendment to the Agreement with Lighthouse for Children, Inc. totaling $225,375 in ARPA funding to support a partnership with the Dollywood Foundation to implement the Imagination Library program in the City of Fresno. This is an increase of $75,375 to the original agreement approved on November 21, 2024. This increase in funding will provide additional age-appropriate books to children 0 - 5 years old in the City of Fresno, specifically in zip codes 93706 and 93722.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff recommends Council approve the First Amendment to the Agreement with Lighthouse for Children, Inc. increasing the original agreement by $75,375 for a total of $225,375 in ARPA funding in partnership with the Dollywood Foundation to provide age-appropriate books to children ages 0 - 5 years old in the City of Fresno. As a beneficiary of ARPA funding, Lighthouse for Children, Inc. will receive funding to implement the Imagination Library program supporting these efforts.
BACKGROUND
In 2021, the City of Fresno was awarded American Rescue Plan Act funding in the amount of $170,808,029. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and negative economic impacts in the City of Fresno, families in disadvantaged zip codes do not have access to age-appropriate books for children ages 0 - 5 years old. During the FY 2025 budget proceedings, $150,000 in ARPA funding was approved by City Council to allocate to the Imagination Library program, created by the Dollywood Foundation, through a partnership with Lighthouse for Children, Inc., a local non-profit Community Based Organization. On November 21, 2024, Council approved the agreement with Lighthouse for Children, Inc. Shortly after, an additional $75,375 was added to the program for a total of $225,375 to increase the number of books Fresno children received. Families residing in zip codes 93706 and 93722, will be encouraged to sign up for this program through various public outreach events, and receive age-appropriate books for their children through the Imagination Library program.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item is not a project as defined by CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because the approval of a grant agreement does not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
This program will be funded through American Rescue Plan Act funding and will not impact the general fund. Allocation is currently appropriated in the ARPA fund.
Attachments:
First Amendment Grant Agreement Lighthouse for Children, Inc.
Grant Agreement Lighthouse for Children, Inc.