DATE: March 28, 2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Paul Nerland, County Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: State Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, Subrecipient Agreement with
Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Subrecipient Agreement for American Rescue Plan Act - State Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA-SLFRF) with Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission in the amount of $48,584 to fund the replacement of 33 outdated computers at its Neighborhood Youth Center, which provides student participants access to high-speed internet, assistance with job searches and applications, college applications and assignments, and social service program applications for individuals who reside within disadvantaged neighborhoods that have been impacted by the pandemic.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allocate $48,584 of ARPA-SLFRF to Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (Subrecipient) to fund the replacement of 33 computers at its Neighborhood Youth Center’s computer lab, will increase equity in technology and access to high-speed internet in a low-income community, will expand its service capacity to connect Local Conservation Corp (LCC) program participants to vocational training courses, job search and placement, college applications, social service programs, and will be responsive to the negative economic impacts experienced by communities identified in Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs) as a result of the pandemic. This item pertains to a location in District 1; however, benefits are countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended action, SLFRF would not become available to the Subrecipient to fund the replacement of 33 computers at its Neighborhood Youth Center’s computer lab. The computer lab upgrades would be delayed until another funding source is identified by the Subrecipient.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with recommended actions. Costs for the recommended action will be funded with ARPA-SLFRF. Sufficient appropriations are included in FY 2022-23 Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Org. 1033 - Disaster Claiming, Fund 0026, Subclass 91021, Account 7845.
DISCUSSION:
The United States Department of the Treasury’s (Treasury) Title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 35 Coronavirus SLFRF Interim Final Rule (“Interim Final Rule”) and Final Rule (“Final Rule”) establish a framework for determining the types of programs and services that are eligible under the ARPA. SLFRF may be used for eligible activities under the following general categories:
A. Respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency or its negative economic impacts;
B. Provide premium pay for essential workers;
C. Replace public sector revenue loss, subject to certain limitations; and
D. Make necessary investments in infrastructure such as in water, sewer, and broadband.
The Final Rule permits SLFRF to be used to cover costs for eligible activities within the four general categories for the period that begins March 3, 2021, and ends on December 31, 2024. Recipients and its subrecipients, must return any funds to the Treasury which are not obligated by December 31, 2024, and any funds not expended to cover such obligations by December 31, 2026.
On February 1, 2022, your Board approved the Ad-Hoc Committee’s expenditure plan which earmarked funds for proposals that may be funded either in whole or in part by the County’s $194,063,657 allocation of SLFRF. The approved expenditure plan included $14,105,219 in SLFRF to be made available to qualifying subrecipients through a 30-day application solicitation period and selection review process.
On June 21, 2022, your Board approved the earmarking of $13,954,929 to provide funding to 22 subrecipient proposals, including Fresno EOC ($48,584) for the computer station replacement program at its Neighborhood Youth Center’s computer lab.
Under Section 602(c)(3) of the ARPA, the County may transfer SLFRF to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations for eligible uses for the purpose of meeting ARPA’s goals. The following section summarize the recommended subrecipient agreement.
Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, Computer Lab Upgrades
The Subrecipient is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that assists economically and socially disadvantaged individuals primarily in Fresno County with various types of health and welfare services and programs. The Subrecipient represents that it manages its LLC program from its Neighborhood Youth Center located at 1805 E. California Avenue Fresno, CA 93706, which is designated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development as a QCT and is considered a disadvantaged neighborhood with a reported median household income of $29,901.
The Subrecipient represents that its LCC program helps participating students ages 18 through 24 with paid-skilled vocational training, career pathways, and certifications in the following areas: landscaping, public lands and trail conservation and resource management, recycling, solar, construction, and sterile processing. The Subrecipient’s Neighborhood Youth Center computer lab provides local organizations and LCC participants access to its vocational training facilities which includes a 40-station computer lab that provides individuals access to high-speed internet, assistance with job searches and applications, college applications and assignments, and social service program applications. The Subrecipient represents that there are 33 computers in its computer lab that are outdated and in need of replacement.
SLFRF provided under this Agreement will provide funding assistance to Subrecipient to replace 33 computers at its Neighborhood Youth Center’s computer lab, will increase equity in technology and access to high-speed internet in a low-income community, will expand its service capacity to connect participants to vocational training courses, job search and placement, college applications, social service programs, and will be responsive to the negative economic impacts experienced by communities identified in QTCs as a result of the pandemic. The specific equipment that will be replaced are 33 mini desktop computers, 33 computer monitors, and two LaserJet printers.
Under the Final Rule, Treasury recognized that services that expand internet access, including programs that provide equipment like tablets, computers, routers, or expand digital literacy assistance that benefits impacted individuals, households, and communities are responsive to the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency, and therefore are an eligible use of SLFRF.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #7, June 21, 2022
BAI #3, February 1, 2022
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Fresno EOC
CAO ANALYST:
George Uc