Consideration and Approval of Contract:  Award a contract to the Community Assistance Teams of Flagstaff for the Engage, Empower, Elevate Program in an amount of a $30,000 grant from the State of Arizona with a $30,000 match from the City of Flagstaff for a total not to exceed $60,000 in year one.

1. Award a contract to the Community Assistance Teams of Flagstaff (CATS) for the Engage, Empower, Elevate Program (E3) in an amount of a $30,000 grant from the State of Arizona with a $30,000 match from the City of Flagstaff for a total not to exceed $60,000 in year one; and
2. Authorize the City manager to execute the necessary documents.

To address issues with litter, the Sustainability Division manages the Community Stewards Program, which supports volunteers who pick up litter throughout the community. One volunteer, a person experiencing homelessness, was provided safety equipment and litter clean-up supplies to help address litter issues in the downtown area. Weekly he would report back the time spent and the amount of litter cleaned from our shared spaces. On one occasion he stated, “When I wear this volunteer vest, people see me. They say ‘hello’ and thank me for volunteering.” From that the E3 was inspired.
 
The City received a one-time $30,000 grant from the Arizona Department of Housing to support the E3 program. The grant funds are to be used to leverage the City’s additional funding of $30,000 for E3.
 
On April 4, 2023, the City of Flagstaff issued a solicitation for a registered community non-profit to provide social services to persons at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness to help address litter in the City. E3 was created in response to a two-fold challenge in Flagstaff: (1) the record high number of persons at risk of or experiencing homelessness; and (2) keeping Flagstaff litter-free; an ongoing challenge. 
 
The fair and competitive process was open for 22 days, closing on April 26, 2023. Proposals were reviewed by a committee of five staff. As a result of the formal evaluation process, the Community Assistance Teams of Flagstaff (CATS) scored the highest review points and chosen as the recommended recipient.

The City of Flagstaff will provide CATS $30,000 on a reimbursement basis year one. Additionally, CATS will serve as a sub-recipient of $30,000 in Arizona Department of Housing grant funds for a total amount not to exceed $60,000 in year one. CATS will have the option to renew a one (1)-year contract for $30,000 for up to two (2) additional years.
 
The Sustainability Division has $30,000 in ongoing funds in the FY 2023-24 Budget for the E3 Program (account 214-12-170-0667).

Strategic Priorities: High performing governance Safe and healthy community Inclusive and engaged community. Sustainable, innovative infrastructure Robust resilient economy Livable community Environmental Stewardship Carbon Neutrality Plan CR-1: Ensure all mitigation actions improve Flagstaff’s ability to adapt to the future. CR-2: Strengthen existing community systems to create resilience to both short-term shocks and long-term change. ES-1: Incorporate equity as a foundational element of every climate action the City develops and implements. ES-2: Proactively engage community members on an ongoing basis. ES-3: Design targeted climate policies and programs to serve disproportionately impacted communities first. -5: Invest in comprehensive and equitable transit. HA-4: Protect people from housing discrimination and remove housing barriers. IR-1: Protect natural areas and ecosystem services that are most vulnerable to impacts of increased visitation and climate change. HF-1: Protect existing forests, resources, and meaningful open spaces. HS-1: Identify community health impacts from climate change and target support to assist at-risk populations in adapting to change and protecting their health.   Regional Plan Goal E&C.3: Prepare Flagstaff’s community systems and resources to be more resilient to climate change impacts, and address climate change in a manner that prioritizes those most impacted and ensures the costs and benefits of climate adaptation and mitigation are equitably distributed.   Goal E&C.10: Protect indigenous wildlife populations, localized and larger-scale wildlife habitats, ecosystem processes, and wildlife movement areas throughout the planning area.   Goal OS.1: The region has a system of open lands, such as undeveloped natural areas, wildlife corridors and habitat areas, trails, access to public lands, and greenways to support the natural environment that sustains our quality of life, cultural heritage, and ecosystem health.   Goal WR.5: Manage watersheds and stormwater to address flooding concerns, water quality, environmental protections, and rainwater harvesting.   Goal NH.5: Eliminate homelessness.   Goal NH.6: Neighborhood conservation efforts of revitalization, redevelopment, and infill are compatible with and enhance our overall community character.

No.