TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement with the Long Beach Unified School District, for food preparation for the 2021 Summer Food Service Program, in an amount not to exceed $407,000; execute sponsor/site agreements with the City of Signal Hill and nonprofit organizations; and, execute any documents, including amendments, necessary to accept funds, implement, and administer the 2021 Summer Food Service Program from June 21, 2021 through August 27, 2021; and
Increase appropriations in the General Grants Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department by $63,107, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Since 1980, the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PRM) has operated a Summer Food Service Program that provides free lunches to low-income children, 18 years of age and under, who, in the absence of the program, would not receive their normal school lunches during summer vacation. The 2021 Summer Food Service Program (Program) is sponsored through a grant from the California Department of Education (CDE). While the City of Long Beach (City) offers the Program at numerous City sites, City Council approval is required to execute several agreements with other agencies to allow them to operate under the Program. These agreements include an operational agreement with the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) for the preparation and delivery of the lunches, and sponsor/site agreements with participating agencies, including nonprofit agencies, for the distribution of the lunches. Lunches will be provided at 31 sites throughout Long Beach and one site in Signal Hill (Attachment). During the 2008 Summer Food Service Program application process, the City applied for and was granted a permanent agreement to participate and receive funding from the CDE, thus eliminating the annual grant application process.
Community organizations that participate in the Program are required to secure the necessary insurance as deemed appropriate by the City’s Risk Manager, and to comply with regulations set forth by the CDE. As in the past, organizations that previously participated were invited to be a part of this year’s Program. Each year, new agencies requesting information about the Program are also given the opportunity to participate.
The Program will run from June 21, 2021 through August 27, 2021. PRM and LBUSD will work together to ensure appropriate coordination occurs given the COVID-19 restrictions that are currently in place. PRM's payment to LBUSD, for food preparation and delivery, is projected to be approximately $407,000, which represents a cost of $3.70 per lunch for an estimated 110,000 lunches served. Major funding for the Program will be provided by the CDE, at a reimbursement rate of $4.25 for each meal served, which includes the cost of the meal, plus PRM’s operating costs eligible under the grant. The staffing level required to coordinate the Program is mainly funded through the grant; however, a $49,000 General Fund budgeted subsidy is required to augment current staffing levels at the park sites for Program operations and interdepartmental charges. Actual total Program cost may differ from the estimate, depending on the actual number of lunches served.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Arturo D. Sanchez on March 26, 2021 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on April 4, 2021.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on April 20, 2021, to allow sufficient time to execute the agreements prior to the beginning of the Program.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total Program cost is estimated at $516,500 and includes the contract, staff, food, and supplies. Of the total amount, the CDE will reimburse Parks, Recreation and Marine Department in the amount of $467,500, based upon the reimbursement rate per meal served. Of the total grant award, $404,393 is currently budgeted in the General Grants Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department. An appropriation increase of $63,107 is requested for the remainder of the grant award, offset by reimbursement grant revenue. The remaining administrative expense of $49,000 is ineligible for reimbursement under the grant and is funded by existing appropriation in the General Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. This recommendation will result in a positive impact on jobs. A total of three temporary part-time jobs will be created for Parks, Recreation and Marine Department staff for the duration of the Program.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
BRENT DENNIS
DIRECTOR
PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER