RESOLUTION 5138: AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT WITH ARIZONA COMMUNITY ACTION ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM FUNDING
Staff Contact: Elaine Adamczyk, Interim Director, Community Services
Purpose and Recommended Action
This is a request for City Council to waive reading beyond the title and adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Arizona Community Action Association (ACAA) to accept $34,715 in Community Action Program (CAP) funding.
Background
The CAP provides direct services to low and moderate income Glendale residents. Services include energy assistance payments and crisis assistance for families, which includes homeless assistance, rent and mortgage subsidies.
Currently, CAP is being operated through an intergovernmental agreement with the State of Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES). This has been in effect since July 1, 2010 when the State of Arizona designated the City of Glendale, as an official Community Action Agency, enabling the City to provide direct assistance to low and moderate-income residents. Under this agreement, DES will provide approximately $1.1 million in FY 16-17 for the provision of CAP services while the City will provide a general fund “match” of $16,720 and various in-kind contributions such as office space, related utilities and custodial services.
The Glendale CAP is also associated with ACAA, which is a non-profit, state-wide organization of community action programs that supports and promotes the well-being and self-sufficiency of all Arizonans. It works collaboratively with partners across the state to ensure fair and affordable energy costs; access to emergency utility assistance; financial assistance programs and food security programs. To accomplish this, the ACAA partners with utility companies, individual donors and foundation grants to provide CAP agencies with additional money to provide general utility assistance to qualified individuals.
Analysis
On average, the City of Glendale CAP provides direct assistance to approximately 4,017 persons each year. The individuals are all in the “low” to “extremely low” income category and typically use CAP services at their most urgent moment of need (i.e. - food, shelter, medical emergency). If not for the assistance of the CAP, many of these individuals would be vulnerable to becoming homeless and/or have no opportunity to receive local assistance.
If approved by Council, this “Independent Contractor Agreement” with the ACAA will provide additional program funding in the amount of $34,715 for the CAP in FY 16-17. These funds will allow staff to assist approximately 155 more Glendale residents with direct utility assistance. This is significant in that many of the individuals seeking such assistance must often make the difficult choice of whether to use their limited resources on sustenance or basic shelter. The additional utility assistance funds will provide immediate relief to those who are striving to become self-sufficient. The acceptance of this agreement will apply to the July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017 period.
Previous Related Council Action
Previous to FY14-15, ACAA funding was accepted and approved administratively.
On August 12, 2014, City Council approved entering into an independent contract agreement between the city and the Arizona Community Action Association for FY2014-15 funding for CAP operations.
On August 11, 2015, the most recent agreement was approved by City Council to enter into an independent contract agreement between the city and the Arizona Community Action Association for FY2015-16 funding for CAP operations.
Community Benefit/Public Involvement
The CAP is designed to provide responsible and efficient support services that foster self-sufficiency and emotional stability when individuals or families are experiencing a financial hardship or major life crisis.
Acceptance of these funds from the ACAA will ensure that Glendale residents have additional opportunities to access crisis services that promote financial stability, enhance the quality of life in Glendale, and allow the city to better meet high public demand for this type of direct assistance.
Budget and Financial Impacts
With the exception of the annual General Fund Match and minor in-kind services, the CAP program is entirely funded through an annual entitlement grant from DES. No additional city funds are required for the acceptance of these additional funds from ACAA.
|
Cost |
Fund-Department-Account |
|
$34,715 |
Fund 1820, Departments 32069, 32070, 32071, 32072, 32073, 32074 various expenditure accounts |
Capital Expense? No
Budgeted? Yes
Requesting Budget or Appropriation Transfer? No
If yes, where will the transfer be taken from?