Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 23500-12-2018Ordinance No. 23500-12-2018 AN ORDINANCE INCREASING ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE GRANTS OPERATING FEDERAL FUND, IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,000,000.00, SUBJECT TO THE RECEIPT OF THE GRANT, FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING THE COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; MAKING THIS ORDINANCE CUMULATIVE OF PRIOR ORDINANCES; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS: SECTION 1. That in addition to those amounts allocated to the various City departments for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 in the Budget of the City Manager, there shall also be increased estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating Federal Fund in the amount of $7,000,000.00, subject to the receipt of the grant, for the purpose of funding the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program. SECTION 2. That should any portion, section or part of a section of this ordinance be declared invalid, inoperative or void for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision, opinion or judgment shall in no way impair the remaining portions, sections, or parts of sections of this ordinance, which said remaining provisions shall be and remain in full force and effect. SECTION 3. That this ordinance shall be cumulative of Ordinance 23392-09-2018 and all other ordinances and appropriations amending the same except in those instances where the provisions of this ordinance are in direct conflict with such other ordinances and appropriations, in which instance said conflicting provisions of said prior ordinances and appropriations are hereby expressly repealed. SECTION 4. This ordinance shall take effect upon adoption. APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY: Jo n Pate Assistant City Attorney Adopted & Effective: December 4. 2018 CITY SECRET ARY a J. City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication . ... .... ......... ... ............. . . COUNCIL ACTION: Approved on 12/4/2018 - Ordinance No. 23600-12-2018 DATE: Tuesday, December 4, 2018 LOG NAME: 19NS CEAP2019 REFERENCE NO.: C-28955 SUBJECT: Authorize Acceptance of a Grant from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs in an Amount Up to $7,000,000.00 for the 2019 Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program, a Federally Funded Program Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Designed to Provide Utility Payment Assistance and Energy Conservation Education for Low to Moderate Income Residents, Authorize Related Contracts, Adopt Appropriation Ordinance, and Waive Indirect Costs (ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS) RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Authorize the acceptance of Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program funds in an amount up to $7,000,000.00 from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs; 2. Authorize the execution of related contracts, including any amendments, renewals and extensions in accordance with City policies and regulations with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for the grant funds for the program year beginning on January 1, 2019 and ending on December 31, 2019; 3. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating Federal Fund in an amount up to $7,000,000.00, subject to receipt of the grant; and 4. Waive indirect costs in the estimated amount of $100,980.00. DISCUSSION: The City of Fort Worth contracts with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) to provide the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) through the Community Action Partners (CAP), which is managed by the City's Neighborhood Services Department. The TDHCA has notified the City to use the prior year's grant award and contract amount as a planning figure for the 2019 CEAP. The total 2018 contract amount was $6,112,781.00. CAP staff projects an increase in funding resulting in an estimated grant award in an amount up to $7,000,000.00 for this program in 2019. The additional appropriation takes into account anticipated energy rate increases and the award of subsequent grant amounts due to other grantees being unable to spend their funding. During the past five years, the City has received an average of $5,435,321.00 per year and as much as $6,112,781.00 in one year. The three components of the program are: 1. Household Energy Crisis - weatherization and/or energy related assistance, repair of HVAC systems and/or purchase of window units; Logname: 19NS CEAP2019 Page 1 of 2 2. Utility Assistance - assistance to all eligible households with priority given to household composition of elderly and/or disabled members or a child under the age of five; and 3. Education - providing information about energy conservation measures. All households at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines will be afforded access to the program. Applicant households will be determined eligible according to income guidelines and program policies. Benefit determinations include household income, household size, energy consumption and/or vulnerability and the availability of funds. CAP staff will accept applications at nine neighborhood CAP facilities and at other identified locations throughout Tarrant County. Payments will be made for eligible clients directly to the utility vendors and heating and cooling system repair companies. TDHCA allows no more than 7.22 percent of the grant award (excluding travel and training) to be budgeted for administrative costs and 13.29 percent for program service costs. The remaining funds will be used for Household Energy Crisis and Utility Assistance for the duration of the contract. From January 2018 to September 2018, CAP served 4,555 households and 9,884 individuals. A waiver by the City of indirect costs will maximize program benefits. CEAP provides for 14 full-time positions with estimated direct salaries of $612,000.00. The addition of indirect costs would result in the reduction of Staff and services. The estimated indirect costs that are being asked to be waived is $100,980.00. No matching funds are required from the City for the CEAP Grant. This program serves ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS. This contract will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher education: Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. FISCAL INFORMATION / CERTIFICATION: The Director of Finance certifies that, upon approval of the above recommendations, receipt of the grant and adoption of the attached appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the current operating budget, as appropriated, of the Grants Operating Federal Fund. This is a reimbursement grant. FUND IDENTIFIERS (FIDs): TO FROM CERTIFICATIONS: Submitted for City Manager's Office by: Fernando Costa (6122) Originating Department Head: Aubrey Thagard (8187) Additional Information Contact: Sonia Singleton (5774) Fund Department ccoun Project Program ctivity Budget Reference # moun ID ID Year Chartfield 2 Fund Department ccoun Project Program ctivity Budget Reference # moun ID ID Year Chartfield 2 Logname: 19NS CEAP2019 Page 2 of 2