TITLE
Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $2,000, offset by $1,000 of the First Council District One-time District Priority Funds and $1,000 of the Sixth District One-time District Priority Funds, transferred from the Citywide Activities Department to provide a contribution to the Midtown Property & Business Owner's Association (Midtown PBID) and Downtown Long Beach Alliance (Downtown PBID) to support a food and small business support fund; and
Decrease appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department by $2,000 to offset a transfer to the City Manager Department.
DISCUSSION
On March 4, 2020, the Governor proclaimed a State of Emergency in California due to the threat posed by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Despite sustained efforts, COVID- 19 remains a threat, and many households are seeing economic challenges due to loss of income resulting from layoffs and reduction in hours. In addition, on March 24, 2020, a Health Officer Order was issued to control the spread of the COVID-19 within the City of Long Beach. It promotes infection control precautions that encourages individuals to practice social distancing and to stay home as much as possible.
Given these circumstances, there are households being identified through word of mouth, social media, non-profit partners and phone calls to the Council offices as food insecure. Examples include elders in fear to go outdoors for day-to-day shopping, families not finding WIC-approved items in-stock, and residents with disabilities that require assistance to find essentials such as milk, eggs and fresh produce. The First and Sixth Council Districts are requesting Council's approval to provide a contribution to the Midtown PBID in the amount of $1,000 and Downtown PBID in the amount of $1,000 using their One-time District Priority Funds. The Midtown and Downtown PBID have partnered with neighborhood grocery and household stores within the Association's boundaries to provide essentials for identified families in the First and Sixth Council Districts.
This matter was reviewed by Budget Manager Grace H. Yoon on April 3, 2020.
FISCAL IMPACT
This recommendation requests the City Manager Department to provide a contribution to the Midtown Property & Business Owner's Association and Downtown Long Beach Alliance for a food and small business support fund. The total appropriation to increase in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department in the amount of $2,000 will be offset by a decrease of appropriation of $1,000 from the First Council District and $1,000 from the Sixth Council District One-time District Priority Funds in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department. Completing this work is anticipated to result in a minimal impact to staff hours beyond normal budgeted scope of duties and a minimal impact on City Council priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
DEE ANDREWS
VICE MAYOR, SIXTH DISTRICT
MARY ZENDEJAS
COUNCILWOMAN, FIRST DISTRICT