REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
BY: SHELBY MACNAB, Assistant Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Authorizing the City Manager or designee to accept grant funding from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to reimburse the City of Fresno PARCS Department in the amount of $34,938.10 for costs associated with the 2023 cooling center operations and authorize the City Manager or designee to respond to PG&E’s 2024 grant solicitation to seek reimbursement for costs associated with the 2024 cooling center operations (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager or designee to accept $34,938.10 in grant funding from PG&E to reimburse the City of Fresno for costs associated with operating Cooling Centers in 2023. Staff also recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager or designee to respond to PG&E’s 2024 grant solicitation to seek reimbursement for eligible costs associated with 2024 cooling center operations.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On an annual basis the City of Fresno operates Cooling Centers in accordance with the City of Fresno Cooling Center policy as outlined in resolution number 2023-302. The City of Fresno is eligible to apply for reimbursement from PG&E for personnel and supply costs associated with Cooling Center operations. Staff are seeking authority to accept reimbursement for 2023 operations and authority to respond to funding solicitations for 2024 operations.
BACKGROUND
On April 21, 2023, PG&E contacted the PARCS Department to announce the 2023 PG&E Cooling Center Program, and request information about Cooling Center operational plans. On April 27, 2023, the PARCS Department responded to PG&E to communicate the locations, operating days and times, and maximum capacity of each Cooling Center. On May 16, 2023, the PARCS Department was notified that PG&E would reimburse the City of Fresno up to $17,000 for costs associated with the 2023 Cooling Center operations. Utility costs are not eligible for reimbursement.
On November 13, 2023, PARCS submitted a reimbursement request to PG&E for $17,000. PARCS staff included documentation within the request which demonstrated the total personnel and supply costs to operate Cooling Centers was actually $34,938.10. On November 16, 2023, PG&E communicated that additional funding was available and requested that the City resubmit an invoice for up to $25,000. This was followed by a second communication on December 8, 2023, that the full expense totaling $34,938.10 would be reimbursed due to availability of funding.
Approval of this item will enable the PARCS Department to accept grant funds from PG&E to reimburse the City for the 2023 Cooling Center operational expenses. Council approval will also authorize the City Manager or designee to respond to PG&E’s 2024 grant solicitation to seek reimbursement for eligible costs associated with 2024 cooling center operations. There is no set amount for future requests for funding. PG&E will make a determination about the amount of funding that will be reimbursable once the City provides information about operational plans. The total amount for future year reimbursement will be based on actual costs incurred and the availability of funds from PG&E.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item is not a project for the purpose of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not included because this resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
Acceptance of funding from PG&E will reimburse the PARCS Department for personnel and supply expenses totaling $34,938.10.
Attachment:
Resolution