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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 27495-02-2025Ordinance No. 27495-02-2025 AN ORDINANCE INCREASING ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE GRANTS OPERATING OTHER FUND, SUBJECT TO RECEIPT OF THE GRANT, IN THE AMOUNT UP TO $1,180,000.00, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING WITH WEATHERIZATION AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY EFFORTS IN THE HOMES OF THE LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS; 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 2024-2025 in the Budget of the City Manager, there shall also be increased estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating Other Fund, subject to receipt of the grant, in the amount up to $1,180,000.00, for the purpose of assisting with weatherization and energy efficiency efforts in the homes of low-income individuals. 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 27107-09-2024 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in which instance said conflicting provisions of said prior ordinances and appropriations are hereby expressly repealed.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: CITY SECRETARY Jannette S. Goodall Assistant City Attorney City Secretary Q 0, 4 "q ���N00000�C�d o ADOPTED AND EFFECTIVE: February 25, 2025 Ems `. vo o* °O00000 r City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication DATE: 02/25/25 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 25-0163 LOG NAME: 19NS TACAA 2025 SUBJECT (ALL) Authorize Acceptance of Low -Income Weatherization Assistance Program Funds in an Amount Up to $1,180,000.00 from the Texas Association of Community Action Agencies, Waive Indirect Costs of $29,029.00, Authorize Execution of Related Contracts, and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Authorize the acceptance of targeted Low -Income Weatherization Program Grant Funds in an amount up to $1,180,000.00 from the Texas Association of Community Action Agencies; 2. Authorize the execution of related contracts, including any renewals, amendments and extensions, with the Texas Association of Community Action Agencies for the grant funds; 3. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating Other Fund, subject to receipt of the grant, in the amount of $1,180,000.00, for the purpose of assisting with weatherization and energy efficiency efforts in the homes of low-income individuals; and 4. Waive indirect costs of $29,029.00. DISCUSSION: The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication is to approve acceptance of grant funds that will be used to assist with weatherization and energy efficiency efforts in the homes of low-income individuals in the City of Fort Worth (City) and Tarrant County. A contract for services between the City and the Texas Association of Community Action Agencies (TACAA) will be executed upon receipt of the contract from TACAA which was received in January 2025. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) has been operated by the City since 1982. The bulk of the funding for the program comes from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), which administers grant funds from the United States Department of Energy and the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Additional funds are supplied by TACAA, which administers monies allocated by Oncor Electric Delivery (Oncor) to provide a Low -Income Weatherization Program that complements the federally funded WAP and provides assistance to Oncor's low-income customers for energy efficiency measures. The primary objective of TACAA's weatherization program is to efficiently reduce energy use in the homes of eligible families with cost-effective measures. In order for a household to qualify, in addition to other necessary qualifications, household income must be at or less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level and the household must be an Oncor customer. Eligible services may include attic insulation, weather stripping, caulking, window and door repairs and/or replacement, installation of compact fluorescent lighting and installation of water saver devices and Energy -Star -Rated air conditioners and refrigerators. Final determination of services is made through the performance of an energy audit and in accordance with an approved priority list. TACAA's program will be administered within existing WAP standards and guidelines and through various contracts with subcontractors. All subcontractors performing eligible services for the City will not be paid until work is inspected and approved by Neighborhood Services department staff. The goal, using all WAP funding, including those provided by TACAA and TDHCA (which consists of funds from the Low -Income Housing Energy Assistance Program, Department of Energy and Department of Energy Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding programs), is to weatherize at least 200 homes in the 2025 grant cycle. For the previous program period ended October 31,2024, City was awarded $1,098,028.36 from TACAA which contributed to the completion of weatherization of 143 of the 200 goal units completed with all WAP sources for the 2024 grant period. The TACAA grant provides funding for two full-time positions within the Neighborhood Services department. 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 are $29,029.00, calculated by taking salaries designated for this grant of approximately $137,905.00 multiplied by the Neighborhood Services departments' indirect cost rate of 21.05% defined in the City's most recent Cost Allocation Plan. Positions funded with TACAA grant funds are subject to grant availability. In the event of a grant award being decreased or eliminated, the Neighborhood Services department would review programs and services funded by the grants and determine a level of service and staffing that aligns with the available funding. This consideration could result in staff and/or program reductions or eliminations. The program serves ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS. A Form 1295 is not required because: This contract will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher education: Texas Association of Community Action Agencies FISCAL INFORMATION / CERTIFICATION: The Director of Finance certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations and adoption of the attached appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the current operating budget, as appropriated, in the Grants Operating Other Fund. The Neighborhood Services Department (and Financial Management Services) will be responsible for the collection and deposit of funds due to the City. Prior to expenditures being incurred, the Neighborhood Services Department has the responsibility to validate the availability of funds. This is a reimbursement grant. Submitted for Citv Manaaer's Office bv: Jesica McEachern 5804 Oriainatina Business Unit Head: Kacey Bess 8187 Additional Information Contact: James Armstrong 7380