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ITEM 10 |
City Council Memorandum Neighborhood Resources Memo No.
NR24-007
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Date: |
April 1, 2024 |
To: |
Mayor and Council |
Thru: |
Joshua H. Wright, City Manager Tadd Wille, Assistant City Manager Leah Powell, Neighborhood Resources Director |
From: |
Riann Balch, Community Resources Manager |
Subject: |
Resolution No. 5791 Intergovernmental Agreement with Maricopa County for Heat Relief Services |
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In 2023, the City of Chandler partnered with Maricopa County to administer and provide heat relief services for residents of Chandler and Mesa during the heat season. The purpose of the partnership was to mitigate the impact of heat exposure for vulnerable populations and standardize the level and quality of services across jurisdictions. The intergovernmental agreement (IGA) provided $600,000 in County funds for the 2023 heat season for both cities and included the ability to amend the agreement in writing. At that time, heat relief activities for persons at risk of or experiencing homelessness were managed by the Maricopa County Human Services Department (MCHSD). In December 2023, in partnership with MCHSD, staff brought an amendment to City Council for approval to renew the agreement to provide services for the 2024 heat season. The approved amendment included services only for the City of Chandler, as the standardization of quality services across jurisdictions was achieved in the first year of the agreement. In January 2024, MCHSD notified Neighborhood Resources that the management of heat relief services had been transferred to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH), and that the amendment with MCHSD previously approved by City Council would not be executed. The 2023 Phoenix-area heat season was the hottest on record, with 31 consecutive days and 54 total days over 110 degrees Fahrenheit and several nighttime lows exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Over two-thirds of the record-breaking 645 heat related deaths recorded in the summer of 2023 did not have a stable residence. During the 2023 heat season, the City of Chandler partnered with the Salvation Army and Resurrection Street Ministries to provide one (1) day respite center, ten (10) cooling stations, and shower and laundry services in both Chandler and Mesa. Across both cities,1,818 unduplicated persons were served for a total expenditure of $406,996. In Chandler, 567 unduplicated persons were served with over 8,600 hours of service. In addition, over 10,200 water bottles, 13,400 snack items, 600 showers and 220 laundry services were provided to vulnerable Chandler residents. The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center forecasts above-normal temperatures for the 2024 heat season, underscoring the need to prepare for extreme summer temperatures to prevent heat-related illnesses and death. Although all residents and visitors of Maricopa County are affected by extreme heat, some populations are impacted more, including people over age 50, people living in mobile home parks, and people experiencing homelessness. The Neighborhood Resources Department participates in the Maricopa County Heat Relief Network to coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions and service providers to ensure a comprehensive network of services is provided across Maricopa County. Since the transition between managing departments, MCDPH is now partnering with agencies across Maricopa County to provide heat relief services for the months of May through September 2024. MCDPH notified the City of Chandler that it will receive $218,132 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to provide services within its geographic boundaries. The Intergovernmental Agreement will commence April 1, 2024, and end December 31, 2026. The Agreement allows for the possibility of additional funding and services to be determined at a later date. Through this agreement and in compliance with the new requirements implemented by MCDPH, the City of Chandler will provide one (1) day respite center, available from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday through Saturday, and on Sundays when heat alerts are triggered from May through September 2024. The Center will provide air-conditioning, hydration, and snacks, and guests will have access to restroom facilities and uninterrupted rest. The Center will have visible signage, in compliance with local zoning ordinances, provided by MCDPH. Shower and laundry services as well as printed resource materials and access to the City of Chandler Community Navigation Team will also be available. Three cooling stations, where residents can stop by for water and a reprieve from the heat, will operate at the City of Chandler Downtown and Sunset libraries, as well as the Community Center during business hours. MCDPH may enter into separate agreements for additional cooling stations with interested non-profit organizations. MCDPH will also provide transportation to and from day respite centers through a separate centralized contract serving the Maricopa County region. The City of Chandler will support security services for the day respite center outside of this agreement. A related item to renew an agreement with the Salvation Army Chandler Corps to provide day respite center services for the 2024 heat season also appears on this Council agenda. |