Consideration of Financial Assistance: Flagstaff Shelter Services

1) Approve Financial Assistance for Flagstaff Shelter Services in the amount of $___________, and authorize the City Manager to complete a contract specifying terms and conditions of funding.
2) Do not approve Financial Assistance for Flagstaff Shelter Services.
3) Provide some other direction to Staff in regards to Financial Assistance for Flagstaff Shelter Services.

On October 1, 2013, upon the request by Council member Oravits and with affirmation of at least three members, Council indicated a willingness to discuss the issue of possible financial assistance for Flagstaff Shelter Services.

In the Manager’s Proposed FY14 Budget, Council approved a line item under “Contributions to Partner Agencies” of $20,000 with the attached narrative of “Emergency Housing Funds.” These monies were intended to be used to temporarily house (or shelter) displaced people due to forest closures or other forest related emergencies such as wildfires. The Budget does not allocate these funds to go to any specific entity or agency but rather states what their use is to be.

11. Effective governance

In FY14, the City contributed $293,750 directly to United Way of Northern Arizona. United Way allocated $17,000 of these funds to Flagstaff Shelter Services. 

The City’s FY13 Budget included $108,070.28 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds for Flagstaff Shelter Services. This agency did not receive any CDBG Funds in the FY14 Budget because it missed the deadline to submit its application.

1) Approve Financial Assistance for Flagstaff Shelter Services in the amount of $___________.
2) Do not approve Financial Assistance for Flagstaff Shelter Services.
3) Provide some other direction to Staff in regards to Financial Assistance for Flagstaff Shelter Services.

On August 4, 2012, the City of Flagstaff provided Flagstaff Shelter Services with one time funding of $4,554 in order to assist with opening costs and staffing. This $4,554 was paid out of the $20,000 line item for Emergency Housing Funds.

In the past when emergency shelter vouchers were needed due to fire or other purpose, the City would have the option to leverage resources available to the County. The County would historically contact DES for assistance and that assistance was very likely provided out of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Discretionary Funds. All CSBG Discretionary Funds were recently swept and are no longer available.

During their Work Session of October 8, 2013 Council requested some additional information regarding this agenda item.  In response to this request I have attached the following documents for your review and consideration.
 

1. FY14 Budget Book page referencing $20,000 allocation for Emergency Housing Funds
2. FY14 Budget Narrative referencing $20,000 allocation for Emergency Housing Funds
3. Vendor Activity Listing from City Financial Records showing contributions to Flagstaff Shelter Services since May of 2009. 
4. Community Block Grant (CDBG) Allocations to Flagstaff Shelter Services since 2007
 

 
Additionally, the following documents had been requested and received from Flagstaff Shelter Shelter Services:

5. FSS FY13/14 Budget
6. FSS Impact Events
7. FSS Audit Report
8. FSS 2013 Grant Submission Summary
9. FSS Board of DirectorsStaff will be available during the City Council Meeting on Oct 15, 2013 to answer any questions that members of Council may have regarding these additional materials. 

Inform