1 STAFF REPORT
PARKS AND
RECREATION
DATE: January 23, 2024
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Marisa Garcia, Park, Recreation and Community Services Director VIA: Erin Barrows, Recreation Services Manager
BY: Roxana Tabibi, Social Services Supervisor - Nutrition
SUBJECT: Approval of an Additional $394,000 from the California Department of Aging American Rescue Plan Act to the Contracted E lderly Nutrition Program Older Americans Act Title III -C1 and Title III-C2 Services; and Amending the Adopted Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve an additional $394,000 from the California Department of Aging (CDA) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
2. Amend the Adopted Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024 Budget as follows upon receipt of the grant funds in FY 2023-2024:
a. Appropriate $356,000 from revenue account 001.PR000.48010.1 145.000000 (General Fund, Other Intergovernmental Revenue, Los Angeles County Aging and Disabilities Department Nutrition State C1) to expenditure account 001.PR42A.62300.0000.000000 (General Fund, Supplemental Nutrition Program, Special Department Supplies).
b. Appropriate $38,000 from revenue account 001.PR000.48010.1145.000000 (General Fund, Other Intergovernmental Revenue, Los Angeles County Aging and Disabilities Department Nutrition State C2) to account number 001.PR42A.62300.0000.000000 (General Fund, Supplemental Nutrition Program, Special Department Supplies).
BACKGROUND
Since 1973, the City of Burbank (City) has been dedicated to offering congregate meals (C1) and home -delivered meals (C2) to seniors through its Supplemental Nutrition Services Program (Program). The Program is responsible for providing over 121,000 C1 and C2 meals annually. The primary goal of the Program is to provide nutritious, balanced
2 meals within a safe, friendly, supportive group setting in conjunction with a variety of community-based services that maximize seniors’ independence and quality of life.
In 2003, the Los Angeles (LA) County Department of Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services established its Elderly Nutrition Program (ENP) and entered into an agreement with the State to implement the ENP. LA County receives funding to support the ENP and partners with local agencies to assist in providing congregate meals and supportive service programs. Funds are allocated to sub -recipients for a one -year ENP sub-award term with three annual renewal options for a maximum term of four years.
The Hybrid Meal Distribution Program – C1 provid es mobile seniors with nutritious lunches in a congregate setting five days a week and a grab-and-go service two days a week at three sites (Joslyn Adult Center, Tuttle Center, and McCambridge Recreation Center). The three-course, sit-down lunches in a group setting provide opportunities for socialization and companionship. Income is not verified for program participation, but a voluntary contribution is accepted. The suggested contribution for seniors age 60 and older is $2 per meal, while individuals age 59 and younger are required to pay a $4 fee per meal.
The Home Delivered Meal Program – C2 offers meals seven days a week for individuals who meet the following criteria: frail and homebound by reason of illness, disability, or otherwise isolated; the spouse of any older individual who is in the program (regardless of age or condition); and any disabled person who resides at a home with an older individual. In addition, the C2 Program offers a grab-and-go service two days a week. The ENP grant prohibits the City from charging seniors for their meals, and income verification is not required to participate in the program. However, voluntary contributions are welcome, and the suggested contribution amount is $3 per meal. Home delivered meals are transported from the Program’s central kitchen at McCambridge Recreation Center via City -owned vehicles to eligible recipients or via approved registered Burbank Volunteer Program volunteers equipped with City hot bags and ice chests to ensure proper food temperatures.
Meals for both Programs are currently being prepared by Tender Loving Care (TLC), an approved caterer in LA County. City staff located at the McCambridge Recreation Center’s central kitchen also contribute to meal preparation. The meals comply with State and County laws, ensuring the safe and sanitary management of food, equipment and supplies, encompassing storage, preparation, service, and delivery.
DISCUSSION
The operation and demand of the City’s Nutrition Program has evolved and expanded since March 2020, with the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Since that time, the City’s Nutrition Team implemented a variety of hy brid meal distribution models, incorporating creative models such as drive-thru delivery and grab-and-go services in addition to the traditional congregate meal and home-delivery methods. Although the drive-thru delivery method has been discontinued, the grab -and-go program continues to be offered .
Moreover, the Pandemic has also increased the demand for senior nutrition programs, thus impacting the City’s Nutrition Program operations and funding. Despite budgeting 3 for projected meals, revenue from the ENP consistently fell short. As a result , on November 8, 2023, ARPA Funding was obtained to support senior programs and ensure their continuity.
More recently , the City ’s ENP received a total of $394,000 in additional CDA ARPA Funding. This funding will provide the City an additional $356,000 for Title III -C1 and $38,000 Title III-C2 services during the FY 2023-24 (Attachments 1 and 2).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This activity involves administering services to senior and disabled populations and administrative changes to the FY 2023 -2024 Adopted Budget and has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and as such, is not a “project” subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal.
Code Regs § 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the City’s Supplemental Nutrition Services Program is included in the FY 2023-2024 Adopted Budget. The maximum revenue anticipated f rom the LA County Aging and Disabilities Department is $ 584,000. The ENP funding from the County provides revenue to offset the program cost from the General Fund for the next year. In addition to the ENP funding allocation, the City also receives approximately $ 90,000 in nutrition donations annually. The General Fund subsidizes approximately $ 736,000 annually, which can fluctuate depending on donation revenue s received. To date, the General Fund has subsidized approximately $620,698 for the ENP.
Specifically, the $394,000 funding will be allocated as follows:
Title III-C1 Hybrid Meal Distribution $356,000
Title III-C2 Home Delivered Meals $ 38,000
Total $394,000
CONCLUSION
The Supplemental Nutrition Services Program allows the City to provide vital services that maximize senior residents’ independence, socialization, and quality of life. Council’s approval of $394,000 from the CDA ARPA Funding Allocations supports Contracted ENP OAA Title III-C1 and Title III-C2 Services.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1- FY 2023-2024 California Department of Aging American Rescue Plan Act Funding Allocation Letter
Attachment 2- FY 2023-2024 Elderly Nutrition Program Amendment 14, Modification #1