City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: FEBRUARY 14, 2023 FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER WARDS: 6 AND 7
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR, AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF, UP TO $200,000 IN GRANT FUNDS, AND AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A STANDARD AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF PLANNING AND RESEARCH/CALIFORNIA VOLUNTEERS PROGRAM FOR THE “CONNECTING NEIGHBORS TO NEIGHBORS” PROGRAM TO FUND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND STRATEGIC NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING LEADING TO SUSTAINABILITY AND SMART GROWTH PROJECTS IN THE GREATER ARLANZA NEIGHBORHOOD – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE:
Approval of a Resolution to apply for, and acceptance of up to $200,000 in Grant funds, and authorization to enter into a Standard Agreement with the State of California Office of Planning and Research/California Volunteers Program for the Connecting Neighbors to Neighbors Program grant to benefit neighborhood sustainability efforts in the Arlanza neighborhood.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Authorize a Resolution to apply for, and the acceptance of up to $200,000 in Grant funds (or the actual grant award amount), and authorization to enter into a Standard Agreement with the State of California Office of Planning and Research/California Volunteers Program for the Connecting Neighbors to Neighbors Program; and With at least five affirmative votes, and upon grant award, authorize the CFO or his designee, to record an increase in revenues and appropriate expenditures in the amount of $200,000, or in the amount of the actual award, in the Grants & Restricted Programs Fund, Connecting Neighbors Program Account.
BACKGROUND:
In October of 2022, the City led a community effort in the Arlanza area to apply for a Regional Climate Collaborates Grant (RCC Grant) to facilitate community building and projects revolving around issues of climate change and sustainability. The RCC Grant was to empower the Arlanza community to develop their own strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving community benefits. Unfortunately, the RCC Grant was not funded.
On November 21, 2022, the State of California Office of Planning and Research/California Volunteers Program offered the “Connecting Neighbors to Neighbors” program grant which is a maximum of $200,000 for 12 months to conduct empowerment and planning work much like the RCC Grant effort. The City, with partners Riverside Community Health Foundation and Healthy Leaders Thriving Cities/Love Riverside, are proposing a pared-down program based on the RCC Grant application, which if funded will offer several Resident Leadership Academies revolving around sustainability issues and resident action “days of service” to complete projects for Arlanza residents.
DISCUSSION:
The Grant bid documents require that the City have an authorizing Resolution in place if funding is awarded. The Connecting Neighbors to Neighbors program seeks to build on evidence-based practices to create strong networks in and across neighborhoods that support one another as well as jointly tackle shared community challenges. The Connecting Neighbors to Neighbors program is built on a framework that puts the neighborhood in the lead to drive activity and connections. This project would be operative for a twelve-month period beginning in February 2023.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority 3 – Economic Opportunity and Goal 3.2, Work with key partners in implementing workforce development programs and initiatives that connect local workers with high quality employment opportunities and provide access to education and training in Riverside.
The item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – Applying for this grant and building a neighborhood-based sustainability program will serve the public interest, benefit the City’s diverse populations, and result in greater public good.
Equity – By program design, the funding will be used to benefit underserved populations throughout the City, resulting in a more equitable distribution of opportunity.
Fiscal Responsibility – The City will ensure the use of grant funding in accordance with the guidelines provided by CaliforniaVolunteers and maximize outcomes while leveraging external funding sources freeing up the use of City funds for other critical projects.
Innovation – This grant provides the City with the ability to create an innovative sustainability program.
Sustainability & Resiliency – This grant will provide funding for sustainability efforts in the Arlanza neighborhood, offering a template for other areas of the City.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is up to $200,000. No City matching funds are required.
Upon Grant award and City Council approval, an increase will be recorded in revenues and appropriations in an amount up to $200,000, or in the amount of the grant award, in the Grants & Restricted Programs Fund, Connecting Neighbors Program Account to be established by the Finance Department.
Prepared by: Jeff McLaughlin, Grants Administrator
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer
Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Resolution
Connecting Neighbors to Neighbors 2 ● Page 3