TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute agreements, and all necessary documents including any necessary subsequent amendments, with the Long Beach Unified School District for the operation of the After School Education and Safety Program at Burbank, Edison, Garfield, Grant, King, Lafayette, and Herrera Elementary, and Hudson K-8 school sites, in an amount not to exceed $1,875,128, for the period of July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, authorize a 15 percent in-kind match of $281,269; and, authorize any extension periods approved by Long Beach Unified School District; and
Increase appropriations in the General Grants Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department by $1,875,128 offset by grant revenue. (Districts 1,2,7,9)
DISCUSSION
The After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program, funded by the California Department of Education, was established in 2002, as a collaborative program with the intent of creating partnerships between school districts and local government agencies for the purpose of providing after school literacy, academic enrichment, and safe constructive alternatives for K-8 students. ASES consists of two program elements: (1) an educational and literacy element that provides tutoring and/or homework assistance designed to help students meet State standards in core academic subjects; and, (2) an educational enrichment element designed to provide an array of programs that include visual and performing arts, music, and general recreation activities. The California Department of Education chooses the school sites that meet the criteria for funding. The Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) allocates grant funding to the City of Long Beach (City) for the ASES program on an annual basis. LBUSD, as the ASES grantor, also allocates funding for additional school sites through other contracted service providers at the remaining eligible schools. The Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PRM) has provided these services for the previous 19 years, with approximately 200,000 student visits each non-COVID-19 grant year.
As the Public Health Emergency Order (Health Order) has impacted all congregate youth programs, the ASES Grant guidelines have been revised to include the needed flexibility for grantees to continue providing quality programming through various means such as virtual program options. Currently, PRM will operate in-person programming on the school campuses. The program may need to revert to a virtual capacity if the Health Order includes distancing mandates in the future.
The allocated grant funding will be used for program staffing, supervision, supplies, and administrative assistance. The distribution of funds for each of the eight school sites for this grant year has been identified (Attachment). The grant period may be extended with the approval of LBUSD to provide additional time to spend the entirety of the grant funds. The grant agreement requires a 15 percent in-kind match equal to $281,269, which includes facility use, staff time, donations, programs that supplement the after-school program, and a portion of administration costs.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Anita Lakhani on September 8, 2022 and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on September 16, 2022.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on October 11, 2022, to ensure agreements are in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive grant revenues in an amount not to exceed $1,875,128 to offset program expenditures of the same amount. An appropriation increase in the amount of $1,875,128 is requested in the General Grants Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department, offset by grant revenue. The required 15 percent in-kind match of $281,269 is budgeted in the General Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation, and Marine Department. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. This recommendation will result in a positive impact on jobs. The Parks, Recreation and Marine Department has 74 part-time employees currently working to facilitate this program.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
BRENT DENNIS
DIRECTOR
PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER