Title
Authorization to Amend Contract with Arizona Community Action Association, dba Wildfire, for COVID-19 Emergency Utility, Rent and Mortgage Assistance Services (Ordinance S-47204)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to amend contract 152383 with the Arizona Community Action Association, dba Wildfire (Wildfire), to increase emergency utility and rent/mortgage assistance Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding in the amount of $3,300,000 for a total contract amount of $29,000,000 and extend the contract term from Dec. 30, 2020 through the current and any future federal CARES Act expenditure timeline guidance. Additional authorization is requested for the City Manager, or his designee, to amend the total amount of this contract and the contract term should additional Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) be made available and/or the federal government extends the expenditure deadline for CRF. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. Funding is available from the City of Phoenix's CRF. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Report
Summary
As part of the strategic plan for the City of Phoenix's $293 million CRF, on May 5, 2020, City Council authorized a $25.7 million award to Wildfire for the implementation of an emergency utility, and rent/mortgage assistance program for residents impacted by the COVID-19 national pandemic. The intent of the residential utility and rent/mortgage assistance program is to reduce the economic burden on residents due to the COVID-19 downturn.
On Dec. 8, 2020, the City Council provided further input and direction on the strategic plan, and proposed an additional $3,300,000 in CRF for contract 152383 with Wildfire, for an aggregate total of $29,000,000 in an effort to provide additional resources and services to Phoenix residents in alignment with the City Manager's guiding principles and strategic plan to deploy CRF. Funds from this additional allocation will be used to administer the program and provide emergency utility and rent/mortgage assistance to residents impact by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the terms of this contract amendment Wildfire will receive an advance payment of $3,300,000 to fund applications accepted through Dec. 30, 2020. Additionally, Wildfire and its network of participating agencies will have a set term as defined by federal guidelines to process all payments related to those applications. Any remaining funds in this contract will be returned to the City of Phoenix for return to the federal government if not awarded and expended within the current and any future federal CARES Act expenditure timeline guidance.
Contract Term
The term of this contact will be extended to align with current and any future federal CARES Act expenditure timeline guidance. This contract may be extended based on continuous need and available funding, in alignment with federal guidance, which may be exercised by the City Manager or designee.
Financial Impact
The total value of this contact is $29,000,000. This contract value may be increased based on continuous need and available funding, which may be exercised by the City Manager or designee. There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding will be provided from the City of Phoenix's Coronavirus Relief Fund.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
May 5, 2020 the City Council authorized staff to enter into contract with ACAA, dba Wildfire with Ordinance S-46644.
On Dec. 8, 2020 the City Council provided policy direction to add $3,300,000 in Coronavirus Relief Funds for contract 152383 with Wildfire in an effort to provide additional resources and services to Phoenix residents impacted by the COVID-19 national pandemic in alignment with the City Manager's guiding principles and strategic plan to deploy the City of Phoenix's $293 million Coronavirus Relief Fund.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and the Neighborhood Services Department.