Title
Request Authorization to Amend Contracts with LISC Phoenix and Local First Arizona for COVID-19 Emergency Food Assistance (Ordinance S-47066)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to amend contracts with LISC Phoenix (LISC) and Local First Arizona Foundation (LFAF) to provide additional funding of $93,000 to LISC and $351,000 to LFAF for continued emergency food assistance to vulnerable populations impacted by COVID-19 through Dec. 31, 2020. The term of the contracts remains the same. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. One-time funding is provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Report
Summary
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Environmental Programs (OEP) teamed with the Human Services Department (HSD) to develop a food assistance plan to address the food needs of vulnerable populations and communities impacted by COVID-19. The plan addresses: (a) access to healthy foods for impacted populations; (b) infrastructure assistance regarding transportation, delivery with a focus on home delivery and storage of food; and (c) support for food banks and community agencies with increased operational costs. This plan is aligned with the City Manager’s guiding principles and strategic plan to deploy CARES Act funding.
The funding that has been provided to LISC and LFAF is funding access to healthy foods for impacted populations, equitably supporting existing organizations serving residents, recognizing the work already being done in diverse communities by the community, encouraging partnerships, supporting local business, and promoting innovation.
Entities receiving the funding include public school districts, nonprofits, community and grassroots organizations, farmers, community-supported agriculture (CSA), food hubs, mobile markets, restaurants and catering (including event venues). Funds were awarded through an open grant application process and awarded based on criteria established for organizational capacity, demonstrated need, and eligible costs (must be focused on activities related to the preparation and delivery of food boxes, produce, and take out/prepared meals) with outcomes for number of meals delivered and number of COVID-19-impacted individuals/families served. Work was initiated by LFAF grantees in August and LISC grantees in September.
LFAF and LISC have been providing services to administer and manage the grant process, disbursing funds, and collecting compliance reporting data.
LFAF Accomplishments to Date:
29,383 meals and 2,146 CSA (local produce) boxes delivered from Aug. 3, 2020 through Oct. 30, 2020.
- 48 restaurants and caterers, 8 local farmers, 7 CSAs, and 1 food hub have received funding to purchase local produce, prepare and deliver meals, and for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- 25 social service organizations have received meals for clients living in zip codes most impacted by COVID-19.
LISC Accomplishments to Date:
150,874 meals were prepared by school districts and 15,821 meals were prepared and delivered by nonprofit/grassroots organizations for the month of September 2020.
- 4 school districts and 10 nonprofit/grassroots organizations are preparing and delivering meals and food boxes for residents living in zip codes most impacted by COVID-19.
The additional funding will be distributed as follows:
LFAF will receive a total of $351,000 with $300,000 disbursed directly to grantees, local farmers, community-supported agriculture (CSAs), food hubs, mobile markets, restaurants and catering (including event venues) and $51,000 is the 17% administrative fee for LFAF. The additional funding will result in an increase of 30,000 meals, including Thanksgiving meals that will be provided to 2-3 social service organizations. Local farmers, restaurants, caterers, and CSAs benefit with continued income for their business and wages for their employees. Local farmers are harvesting produce at this time and this additional funding will provide a market for their products.
LISC will receive a total of $93,000, which will be disbursed directly to school districts to fulfill their original grant request. The school districts funded are Alhambra Elementary School District, Balsz Elementary School District, Cartwright School District, and Roosevelt School District. A total of approximately 339,058 meals will be provided for pick-up or delivery to 27,059 families in COVID-19 impacted zip codes by these school districts.
The additional funds will be expended by Dec. 31, 2020, as stipulated in the contract and to be reiterated in the amendment.
Procurement Information
Services may be procured, as needed, by utilizing procurement in accordance with Administrative Regulation 3.10 to implement and administer programs intended to prevent, prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 national pandemic.
Contract Term
The term of the contracts remains the same. Contracts may be extended based on continuous need and available funding, which may be exercised by the City Manager or designee.
Financial Impact
This amendment will increase the agreements with: LISC Phoenix by $93,000, for a new aggregate value of $1,193,000; and Local First Arizona $351,000, for a new aggregate value of $951,000.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, staff recommends that City Council reallocate $444,000 in Coronavirus Relief Funds from the Healthcare Connectors Program. Originally, $700,000 was awarded to the Healthcare Connectors Program; however, after further review staff has identified that only $100,000 will be needed. By reallocating these funds, the City will be able to further address the food needs of vulnerable populations and communities impacted by COVID-19 during the holiday season. Funding is available in the Coronavirus Relief Fund. There is no General Fund Impact.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The City Council authorized agreements with LISC Phoenix and Local First Arizona Foundation (Ordinance S-46712) on June 3, 2020.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Office of Environmental Programs.