DATE: June 16, 2021
TO: Community Service Commission
FROM: Acting Community Services Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Community and Nonprofit Federal Stimulus Funding: Review and Discuss Updated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Recommendations to Community Programs due to Further Staff Review Ffollowing May 19, 2021 Community Services Commission Meeting
End
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the Community Services Commission reviews this report and selects an updated funding recommendation for allocation of federal stimulus funding for final Council final approval.
SUMMARY
The recently passed America Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), also known as the COVID-19 Stimulus Package, included over $65 billion in direct federal relief to cities to address the economic and fiscal impacts of the COVID crisis and to assist in the recovery of local communities. The City of Hayward is estimated to receive approximately $38 million in local relief from the federal government to address the internal and external needs of the City associated with the COVID crisis over the next year. Staff have recommended that a portion of the federal stimulus funds be dispersed to community and nonprofit programs and efforts initiatives with a funding recommendations from the Community Services Commission (CSC).
On May 19, 2021, staff presented to the CSC an initial recommendation for dispersing $250,000 - $750,000 to community and nonprofit programs. During this meeting, Commissioners provided important feedback and considerations for dispersing these funds and an initial recommendation for fund disbursement that differed from staff’s recommendation. Since this meeting, staff have received an updated allocation estimate of $500,000, in addition to further guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury on how federal funds can be used to respond to acute pandemic response needs and support the communities and populations hardest-hit by the COVID-19 crisis (Attachment II).
Additionally, Sstaff assessed the CSC’s recommendation and determined that the CSC’s initial recommendations for dispersing funds are administratively infeasible. Staff have incorporated the CSC’s feedback garnered from May 19, 2021, as well as the newly provided guidance on eligible services, to create three new options for dispersing APRA funds to community and nonprofit programs for CSC review and recommendation.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
Attachment II U.S. Department of the Treasury ARPA Guidance
Attachment III Detailed Plan and Process
Attachment IIV FY22 CAF and ARPA Comparison