City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: AUGUST 16, 2022 FROM: LIBRARY DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: REIMBURSEMENT GRANT AWARD FROM THE California state Library and southern california library cooperative Home connectivity kit project in the amount OF $25,000 FOR VARIOUS TECHNOLOGICAL ITEMS FOR THE RIVERSIDE PUBLIC LIBRARY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUES:
Approve the acceptance of a reimbursement grant award from the California State Library and Southern California Library Cooperative Home Connectivity Kit Project in the amount of $25,000 for the purchase of various technological items for the Riverside Public Library and authorize a supplemental appropriation in the same amount.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Accept a reimbursement grant award from the California State Library and Southern California Library Cooperative Home Connectivity Kit Project in the amount of $25,000 for the library to purchase technological items; and With at least five affirmative votes, upon receipt of the reimbursement grant award, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in estimated revenues and supplemental appropriation in the amount of the grant award in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Library Gift & Trust revenue and expenditure accounts; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute grant documents with the California State Library, including making minor and non-substantive changes.
BACKGROUND:
The Riverside Public Library actively pursues grant funding as an alternative funding source and/or supplement to City funds to enable the purchase of library materials to enhance its collection for use by the public. Grants offer valuable, unique opportunities for local jurisdictions to compete for funding sources available through State, federal, or other agencies to assist in covering the costs of select projects.
DISCUSSION:
The California State Library (CSL), in partnership with the Southern California Library Cooperative (SCLC), is offering home internet connectivity kits and user guides to every Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) compliant public library in California. These items will be purchased with funds made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
On June 28, 2022, the Riverside Public Library was notified by email that it was eligible for reimbursement of $25,000 from the California State Library’s Home Connectivity Kit project. The purpose of this project is to assist California residents in overcoming hardships caused by the pandemic and to help people throughout the state access the internet in a manner that is responsive to their needs. Fundamental to this program is providing tools such as devices, connections, and skill lifts to enable Californians to engage with the information, opportunities and culture that is the internet.
The grant term will expire September 30, 2022.
In accordance with the City Grant Administration Policy 01.006.00, the Department Director evaluated the award to determine the benefit to the customers of the City’s Library, long- and short-term financial implications, feasibility and compatibility with existing City priorities/goals and services, and determined the community and City would benefit from accepting this grant.
The Riverside Public Library, in concurrence with the Chief Innovation Officer, determined that the Home Connectivity Kit project are items loaned out by the library to the public. The City is not providing any service and the City’s network will not be impacted.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority 1 - Arts, Culture & Recreation and Goal 1.1 - Strengthen Riverside’s portfolio of arts, culture, recreation, senior and lifelong learning programs and amenities through expanded community partnerships, shared use opportunities and fund development.
The item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust - This item aligns with Community Trust by minimizing the expenditure of City funds through community partnership and involving the members of the community to encourage or enhance communication.
Equity - This item aligns with Equity by facilitating equitable distribution of services to every member of the community.
Fiscal Responsibility - This item aligns with Fiscal Responsibility as the community would benefit by accepting this grant award with no financial implications to the City other than in-kind contributions of staff time.
Innovation - This item aligns with Innovation by continuing partnership with the California State Library.
Sustainability & Resiliency - This item aligns with Sustainability & Resiliency by potentially providing fund development opportunity.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact of this action is estimated at $25,000. With at least five affirmative votes of the City Council, the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, will record an increase in estimated revenues in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Library Gift & Trust, Miscellaneous Donations revenue account no. 5145001-374222 and supplemental appropriation in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Library Gift & Trust, Gift Funds Expenditure account no. 5145001-450201.
Prepared by: Erin Christmas, Library Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer
Approved by: Rafael Guzman, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Award
CSL and SCLC Home Connectivity Kits $25,000 ● Page 2