8.G.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 11/19/2024
- From:
- Kristine Pavlik, Housing and Grants Administrator
TITLE:
Consideration and Approval of Grant Agreements: Approve Grant Agreements between the City of Flagstaff and community partners utilizing $401,418.43 in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for Aid to Non-Profits Providing Victim Services.
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
- Approve Grant Agreements with the following organizations, utilizing a portion of the American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for Aid to Non-Profits Providing Victim Services:
- Project No: CL6321I (Aid to Non-Profits: Victim Services):
- $118,200.81 to North Country Healthcare for NACASA Recovery and Sustainability
- $116,608.81 to Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona for COVID-Recovery Operational Costs
- $166,608.81 to Victim Witness Services for Northern Arizona for Crisis Advocate Staffing
- Project No: CL6321I (Aid to Non-Profits: Victim Services):
- Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents for all Grant Agreements.
Executive Summary:
Staff is seeking approval of Grant Agreements between the City of Flagstaff and community partners, utilizing a portion of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (Local Recovery Funds) to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its negative economic impacts. Local Recovery Funds in the amount of $401,418.43. The funding will be used to provide ongoing victim services to City of Flagstaff residents.
- Project No: CL6321I (Aid to Non-Profits: Victim Services):
- $118,200.81 to North Country Healthcare for NACASA Recovery and Sustainability
- $116,608.81 to Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona for COVID-Recovery Operational Costs
- $166,608.81 to Victim Witness Services for Northern Arizona for Crisis Advocate Staffing
Financial Impact:
On October 12, 2021, the City Council provided direction on the use of Local Recovery Funds. The City Council allocated $300,000.00 to Aid to Non-Profits Providing Victim Services within the Negative Economic Impacts funding category. This funding is budgeted in FY2024-25 in account 024-09-402-6321-1-4290.
On June 21, 2024, the City of Flagstaff released a Notice of Funding Available ("NOFA") for Aid to Non-Profits Providing Victim Services. By the July 15, 2024, deadline, the City received three (3) eligible applications. Applications were submitted by Victim Witness Services for Northern Arizona, Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona, and North County Healthcare NACASA.
Housing staff conducted a risk assessment of all three (3) applying agencies and their proposed Projects. A Ranking Committee of City Staff met to review the proposals and rank them by consensus. Rankings primarily serve as a risk and benefit assessment and are the guiding input for Staff recommendations of ARPA Local Recovery Funds allocations.
With $300,000.00 of ARPA funding initially available, not all organizations would receive full funding of their request. Management Services Staff identified an additional $101,418.43 in ARPA funds available for re-allocation in this category, allowing for the full funding of all three requests as outlined in the chart below.
On June 21, 2024, the City of Flagstaff released a Notice of Funding Available ("NOFA") for Aid to Non-Profits Providing Victim Services. By the July 15, 2024, deadline, the City received three (3) eligible applications. Applications were submitted by Victim Witness Services for Northern Arizona, Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona, and North County Healthcare NACASA.
Housing staff conducted a risk assessment of all three (3) applying agencies and their proposed Projects. A Ranking Committee of City Staff met to review the proposals and rank them by consensus. Rankings primarily serve as a risk and benefit assessment and are the guiding input for Staff recommendations of ARPA Local Recovery Funds allocations.
With $300,000.00 of ARPA funding initially available, not all organizations would receive full funding of their request. Management Services Staff identified an additional $101,418.43 in ARPA funds available for re-allocation in this category, allowing for the full funding of all three requests as outlined in the chart below.
| Organization | Requested Funds | Original Recommendation | Revised Allocation |
| Victim Witness Services | $150,000.00 | $98,408.00 | $166,608.81 |
| North Country Healthcare | $101,592.00 | $101,592.00 | $118,200.81 |
| Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona | $100,000.00 | $100,000.00 | $116,608.81 |
Policy Impact:
N/A
Connection to PBB, Carbon Neutrality Plan, 10-Year Housing Plan & Regional Plan:
Priority Based Budget Key Community Priorities and Objectives
- Safe & Healthy Community
- Support social services, community partners & housing opportunities
- Provide alternative responses, resources & programs, inclusive of mental health & other services
- Inclusive & Engaged Community
- Foster community pride & civic engagement by increasing opportunities for public involvement, in line with best practices & legal requirements
- Advance social equity & social justice in Flagstaff by supporting social services
- Facilitate & foster diversity & inclusivity, including support of anti-racist policies & practices
- Enhance community involvement, education & regional partnerships to strengthen the level of public trust
- Ensure city facilities, services, & programs are accessible for all residents & representative of Flagstaff’s diverse community
- Sustainable, Innovative Infrastructure
- Support the community’s social infrastructure needs; assist those partner organizations that provide services the City does not
- Support the community’s social infrastructure needs; assist those partner organizations that provide services the City does not
- Livable Community
- Support regional partners which provide equitable & inclusive educational opportunities for Flagstaff residents of all ages
- Support regional partners which provide equitable & inclusive educational opportunities for Flagstaff residents of all ages
- Environmental Stewardship
- Implement, maintain & further the Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP) with awareness of social inequities
- Implement, maintain & further the Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP) with awareness of social inequities
- Community resilience
- 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.
- Equitable systems
- ES-2: Proactively engage community members on an ongoing basis
- ES-4: Actively seek to recognize past harms, repair trust, and build deeper relationships with community members.
Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:
On October 12, 2021, the City Council provided direction on the use of Local Recovery Funds. The City Council allocated $300,000.00 to Aid to Non-Profits Providing Victim Services in the Negative Economic Impacts funding category.
Options and Alternatives:
- Approve Grant Agreements with the following organizations, utilizing a portion of the American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for Aid to Non-Profits Providing Victim Services:
- Project No: CL6321S (Aid to Non-Profits: Victim Services):
- $118,200.81 to North Country Healthcare for NACASA Recovery and Sustainability
- $116,608.81 to Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona for COVID-Recovery Operational Costs
- $166,608.81 to Victim Witness Services for Northern Arizona for Crisis Advocate Staffing
- Project No: CL6321S (Aid to Non-Profits: Victim Services):
- Approve some, but not all, of the Grant Agreements; or
- Do not approve the Grant Agreements and direct staff to conduct an additional solicitation.
Background and History:
The City is a recipient of certain funds through the American Rescue Plan Act, Pub. L. No. 117-2 (March 11, 2021), which authorizes the U.S. Department of the Treasury to make payments from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. On October 12, 2021, City Council allocated $300,000.00 for Aid to Non-Profits Providing Victim Services within the Negative Economic Impact funding category.
On June 21, 2024, the City of Flagstaff released a Notice of Funding Available ("NOFA") for Aid to Non-Profits Providing Victim Services. The City received three (3) eligible applications by the July 15, 2024 deadline.
Housing staff conducted a risk assessment of all three (3) applying agencies and their proposed Projects. A Ranking Committee of City Staff met to review the proposals and rank them by consensus. Rankings primarily serve as a risk and benefit assessment and are the guiding input for Staff recommendations of ARPA Local Recovery Funds allocations.
In September 2024, Management Services Staff identified an additional $101,418.43 in ARPA funds available for allocation in this category.
With $401,418.43 in ARPA Local Recovery Funds available for Aid to Non-Profits Providing Victim Services, Staff recommended the following funding allocations:
On June 21, 2024, the City of Flagstaff released a Notice of Funding Available ("NOFA") for Aid to Non-Profits Providing Victim Services. The City received three (3) eligible applications by the July 15, 2024 deadline.
Housing staff conducted a risk assessment of all three (3) applying agencies and their proposed Projects. A Ranking Committee of City Staff met to review the proposals and rank them by consensus. Rankings primarily serve as a risk and benefit assessment and are the guiding input for Staff recommendations of ARPA Local Recovery Funds allocations.
In September 2024, Management Services Staff identified an additional $101,418.43 in ARPA funds available for allocation in this category.
With $401,418.43 in ARPA Local Recovery Funds available for Aid to Non-Profits Providing Victim Services, Staff recommended the following funding allocations:
- $118,200.81 to North Country Healthcare for NACASA Recovery and Sustainability
- $116,608.81 to Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona for COVID-Recovery Operational Costs
- $166,608.81 to Victim Witness Services for Northern Arizona for Crisis Advocate Staffing
Key Considerations:
The COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented financial strain on non-profit organizations, with many experiencing significant revenue losses, increased operating costs, and heightened service demands due to economic and social disruptions. Non-Profits providing victim services were especially impacted, as the pandemic led to increased rates of domestic violence, mental health crises, and other challenges among vulnerable populations. With limited resources, these organizations have had to stretch their capacity to meet the escalating needs of the community.
If approved, the ARPA Local Recovery Funds would provide critical relief to these non-profits, helping to stabilize operations, retain their skilled workforce, and ensure continuity of services for victims of crime in Flagstaff. This support is especially important given the prolonged recovery period anticipated for both the local economy and the individuals these organizations serve. Approval of these contracts would, therefore, serve not only as an economic investment but as a safeguard for public health and safety in Flagstaff.
Expanded Options and Alternatives:
The City Council discussed Local Recovery Funds allocation amounts and categories for funding at the City Council work session on September 7, 2021 and provided direction on use of the Local Recovery Funds on October 12, 2021. These meetings were held in accordance with Open Meeting Law and include a public participation process allowing for public comments. There was an open and competitive application process for Local Recovery Funds for Housing Assistance.