Title
Request Authorization to Disburse Tribal Gaming Grant Funds (Ordinance S-49628)
Description
Request to authorize the City Controller to further disburse tribal gaming grant funds awarded to the Office of Environmental Programs from the Gila River Indian Community for the Seeding Abundance and Growing Our Future project, to three different partner agencies.
Report
Summary
In 2021, the Office of Environmental Programs (OEP) submitted an application for funding consideration to the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) under the 2021 funding cycle. Staff requested $289,356 over three years for the Seeding Abundance and Growing Our Future project, which provides equipment and training for consumers located in food deserts to grow their own food, and develops new urban farmers resulting in improved health as well as business and community engagement.
The project was selected for a three-year grant funding from GRIC in 2021. The project will fund installation of up to 36 backyard gardens for Phoenix residents experiencing food insecurity and living in food desert areas and provide education and hands-on training for five urban agriculture fellows. The backyard garden program will empower residents to grow healthy food in their own backyards to improve health, promote physical activity, decrease food insecurity and hunger, and potentially decrease household food budgets.
OEP is using the expertise of three local organizations experienced in growing food for this project. Lehr Innovations, LLC (Lehr), NxT Horizon LLC (NxT) and Tiger Mountain Foundation (TMF) collaborated on the GRIC grant application and were named as partners to provide garden installation, training, operation and maintenance services.
Lehr is a Phoenix-based organization founded by Ed Williams, who invented the Linking Ecosystems and Hardware for Regeneration Gardens system as a sustainable, regenerative growing method for busy urban lifestyles.
NxT is a Phoenix-based organization founded by Dr. George Brooks, Jr., a nationally recognized aquaponics expert.
TMF is a Phoenix-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower communities to better themselves through cultivating gardens.
Lehr, NxT, and TMF will install backyard gardens using aquaponics, growing produce and protein (fish and shrimp), and raised beds. The systems chosen are cost-effective and water-efficient growing methods and suitable for the Phoenix climate and growing seasons. These systems will be installed for up to 32 residents living in the South Mountain, Maryvale, Laveen, and Estrella Village planning areas. Applicants for the program must meet eligibility criteria, such as low income and living within the program's geographic boundary, with preference for applicants living in food deserts and applicants that are Black, indigenous, or people of color. Homeowners or renters (with written permission from landlord) will be provided with the gardening system of their choice, which includes system installation, including equipment, materials, supplies and labor, and gardening training throughout the 12-month program. Program outreach materials, applications, and training materials will be provided in English and Spanish.
Lehr will install eight raised-bed garden systems for a cost not to exceed $27,000; NxT will install 12 aquaponics systems for a cost not to exceed $99,246, and TMF will install 12 traditional raised bed garden systems for a cost not to exceed $74,592. The systems include all materials, supplies, equipment, labor, and 12 months of on-call training, maintenance, and repair services.
Contract Term
All agreements may be extended based on available funding; extensions may be executed by the City Manager, or his designee.
Financial Impact
There is no budgetary impact to the City and no general funds are required. Entities that receive gaming grants are responsible for the management of those funds.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
Council approved the Gila River Indian Community Gaming Grants, Ordinance S-47639 on June 16, 2021.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by City Manager Jeffrey Barton and the Office of Government Relations.