EAST PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
DATE: July 19, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Patrick Heisinger, Interim City Manager
BY: Azalea Renfield, Community Services Manager
SUBJECT: Accept San Mateo County’s Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS) grant funding through 2022/2026 for Congregate Nutrition and Transportation Programs
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a four-year grant agreement, in a form approved by the City Attorney, from San Mateo County’s Aging and Adult Services in the amount of $197,004 for the City’s Congregate Nutrition and Transportation Programs for fiscal year(s) 2022-2026.
Alignment with City Council Strategic Plan
This recommendation is primarily aligned with:
Priority No. 4: Improve Public Facilities and Infrastructure Priority No. 5: Improve Communication and Enhance Community Engagement Priority No. 6: Create a Healthy and Safe Community
Background
On February 23, 2022, San Mateo County’s Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to senior service providers for a four-year (48-months) grant to support a variety of senior services, including the Senior Congregate Nutrition and Transportation program.
On June 28, 2022, the city was selected as a recipient to receive funding in the amount of $197,004 to be disbursed equally over four years ($49,251 per year) to provide nutritious catered lunches to seniors and daily transportation to and from East Palo Alto Senior Center each weekday. The City has been a grant recipient since 2002.
Analysis
Providing nutritious meals to senior residents in the city is an essential service. Similarly, providing transportation for seniors to the Senior Center ensures that all seniors have access to resources and can actively participate in the Congregate Nutrition program and enjoy their community.
Table 1 outlines the approved budget allocation for the entire contract for both senior programs. The funding is derived from the Older Americans Act of 1969 via a pass-through from the California Department of Aging.
Program Area OAA COUNTY
General Fund
Total
Congregate
Nutrtion $ 149,400.00 $ 28,000.00 $ 177,400.00
Transportation $ 19,604.00 $ - $ 19,604.00
$ 169,004.00 $ - $ 197,004.00
Note: OAA funding is a pass-through from the US Department on Aging via the Older American Act of 1969. This funding is highly regulated and restricted. The County General Fund contribution is less restricted and is offered as additional support. The City has traditionally allocated this funding to support catering costs.
Staff believes it is essential to evaluate all programs and services provided by the City and to evaluate other viable options that could result in improved services at an equal or lesser cost to the City. The grant from the county is beneficial and allows the City to access ongoing support and other grant opportunities.
The administrative and programmatic support for these programs includes 1) manager, 1 onsite supervisor, 1 kitchen aide, and 2 van drivers. Recreation Leaders are occasionally assigned to support the program (if needed). Each team member participates in annual required training prescribed by San Mateo County. The team is cross-trained to ensure uninterrupted program coverage and improved operational efficiency.
To continue operating the programs without interruption, the staff recommends that City Council authorize the acceptance of the grant from San Mateo County’s Office of Aging and Adult Services.
Fiscal Impact
The total grant award is $197,004, which has been allocated to help offset the cost of catered meal service and vehicle maintenance.
Public Notice
The public was notified of this agenda item by posting the City Council agenda on the City’s official bulletin board outside City Hall and making the plan and report available at the City’s website and the San Mateo Co. Library located at 2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto.
Environmental
The action being considered by the City Council is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a “project” pursuant to 15378(b)(4) because it is a fiscal activity which does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant impact on the environment.
The action being considered does not constitute a “Project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15378 (b)(5), in that it is a government administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
Attachments
1. RESOLUTION NO
2. OAA RFP Info Sheet