Title
Request to Appropriate, Expend and Disburse Federal Economic Development Initiative/Community Project Funding (Ordinance S-49751)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to appropriate and expend Community Project Funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Further request to authorize the City Treasurer to accept and the City Controller to disburse all funds for the life of the grant(s). The total funds received will not exceed $6,963,927.
Report
Summary
The Office of Government Relations (OGR) helped the City navigate the fast-paced Fiscal Year 2022-23 appropriations process. OGR submitted various projects requesting over $14.7 million in funding. Of those projects, the Office of Homeless Solutions will receive $1.9 million in funding for its Homelessness Support Initiative, and the Phoenix Fire Department will receive $5 million for the Semiconductor Fire Response Station. This is only the second time in a decade that community project funding (known as earmarks) has been available. Each project had to have extensive community engagement and support, as only competitive projects with demonstrated community support were considered. OGR gathered over 35 potential projects from City departments. Each project was thoroughly vetted and reviewed by City management and Council. The appropriations process is extremely competitive, not only on a regional level but nationally as well.
The Office of Homeless Solutions will receive $1,963,927 and the Phoenix Fire Department will receive $5 million in community project funding:
- The Office of Homeless Solutions will utilize the funding to support efforts around identification and storage of property belonging to unsheltered individuals. The funds will be used to procure and obtain secure storage containers that will be placed in specific areas within the City and used to safely store property of individuals experiencing homelessness. The funds will also be used for program administration and the equipment necessary to allow staff to manage the assessment, documentation and storage of property.
- The Phoenix Fire Department will use the grant funds to acquire land and begin construction on a new five-bay fire station. Funds will be allocated for the initial land use study, environmental and historical preservation review, zoning, costs associated with real property purchase, design and engineering, and construction start.
Contract Term
The grant period of performance begins when the grant agreements are signed by United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and will end on Aug. 31, 2031.
Financial Impact
No matching funds are required and there is no budgetary impact to the City as no general funds are required.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by City Manager Jeffrey Barton and the Office of Government Relations.