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Recommendation to receive and file a report on the financial assistance accepted by the City of Long Beach, from January 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021, under Resolution No. RES-20-0049 to respond to the proclaimed emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $7,663,366 for funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce COVID-19 health-related disparities, offset by grant revenues. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On April 14, 2020, through Resolution No. 20-0049, the City Council authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents, including subcontracts and any subsequent amendments, to apply for, accept and expend grant funding for costs incurred in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This authorization allowed the City to take advantage of federal and state grants, with or without a match requirement, as quickly as possible and required that all agreements executed under this authority be presented to the City Council at the next practicable opportunity for receive and file.
This report presents three financial opportunities accepted during the period of January 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021, for a total of $13.73 million. This total represents an estimate of funding, which the City may receive in various funds. Actual funding will vary as some funding opportunities are cost reimbursement and are based on eligible expenditures incurred.
It should be noted that this report is not inclusive of all financial opportunities accepted by the City during this period and does not include grants that have been presented to the City Council separately.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on June 15, 2021 and by Budget Manager Grace H. Yoon on June 10, 2021.
EQUITY LENS
The City has incorporated the Equity Toolkit in this recommendation, as requested by the City Council on April 21, 2020. For many underrepresented community members, the pandemic has the potential to exacerbate existing racial, economic, health, education, and gender inequities. In response, the City will consider racial and economic equity and examine how various communities most vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19 will be affected. As much as possible, spending allocations will be made equitably to address the greatest COVID vulnerability in priority areas.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on July 6, 2021, to enable the timely processing of budget adjustments.
FISCAL IMPACT
Long Beach Airport
Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program (ACRGP)
1. No increase in appropriation is needed. Sufficient appropriation exists in the Airport Fund Group in the Airport Department for funding in the amount of $5,809,836 to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act (CRRSAA), signed into law on December 27, 2020, included nearly $2 billion in funds to be awarded as economic relief to eligible U.S. airports and eligible concessions at those airports to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Long Beach Airport (Airport) has been allocated $5,809,836 to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19 for costs related to operations, personnel, cleaning, sanitization, janitorial services, combating the spread of pathogens, debt service payments, and rent relief to eligible Airport concessions. Funding must only be used for purposes directly related to the Airport. The operational period of this grant is March 30, 2021 to March 30, 2025. There is no local match or in-kind service requirement. No increase in appropriation is requested as this grant is funding existing operating expenses that were previously budgeted.
Health and Human Services Department
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) - Immunization Program Supplemental
2. No increase in appropriation is needed. Sufficient appropriation exists in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department for funding in the amount of $256,420 for influenza and COVID-19 vaccination planning and implementation.
The Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) has been awarded $256,420 from CDPH to augment and enhance influenza vaccination coverage and COVID-19 vaccination planning and implementation. This funding will be used to purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), refrigerators, coolers, and data loggers and provide funding for staff to support the City’s Immunization Program. The operational period of this grant is July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. There is no local match or in-kind service requirement. No increase in appropriation is requested as sufficient appropriation currently exists in the Health Fund Group.
National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
3. Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $7,663,366 for funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce COVID-19 health-related disparities, offset by grant revenues.
The Health Department has been awarded by the CDC $7,663,366 under the National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities among populations at high risk and underserved, including racial and ethnic minority populations and rural communities. These funds will be used to: (1) develop new mitigation and prevention resources/services to reduce COVID-19-related disparities among high-risk populations through collaboration with critical partners that have expertise implementing culturally affirming programs; (2) improve data collection and data infrastructure to ensure data modernization; and, (3) expand infrastructure support to enhance health equity among communities at higher risk and that are underserved. The operational period of this grant award is June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2023. However, pre-award costs dating back to March 15, 2021, and directly related to the COVID-19 outbreak response are allowable. There is no local match or in-kind service requirement.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
JOHN GROSS
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER