Submitted By: James Haynes
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Presentation By: James Haynes
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Department: Community Development Services
FORMAL TITLE:
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Ratification of the City Manager’s signature on the 2023 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Marion County’s Continuum of Care Homeless Management Information System 2023-2024 program year grant in the amount of $223,815
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Operational Excellence, Fiscally Sustainable
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is designed to promote community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness and provide funding for local governments' efforts to quickly house homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused by homelessness to these individuals, families, and communities. CoC Program grant funds may be used for a range of eligible activities, including the Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS).
On February 4, 2020, the City of Ocala (“City”) and Marion County entered into an interlocal agreement to create the Ocala/Marion County Joint Office on Homelessness. The City subsequently entered into a separate Memorandum of Understanding with the FL-514 Ocala/Marion County Continuum of Care Board, enabling the City to serve as the lead agency and assume oversight of the HMIS and coordinated entry system's duties and responsibilities. As the HMIS Lead Agency, the City would be responsible for submitting an HMIS grant application on behalf of and in support of the Ocala/Marion County Continuum of Care.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
In response to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Fiscal Year 2023 Continuum of Care (CoC) Competition Award, the City submitted a New Project Application for HMIS Software and Personnel for the benefit of the Ocala/Marion County Continuum of Care. City Manager Pete Lee was identified as the Authorized Certifying Official for the Continuum of Care Program.
On June 11, 2025, the City of Ocala was awarded HUD’s CoC Program Project Grant No. FL1026L4H142401 in the amount of $223,815. These funds will be utilized to fund the annual cost of Wellsky, the CoC’s HMIS software, its training site, and cover personnel expenses associated with managing the CoC’s Homeless Management Information System for the term October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026.
The Grant Agreement was executed by Mr. Lee on August 29, 2025, so that HUD could encumber the funding before the close of its Fiscal Year. Pursuant to transmittal instructions, the Grant Agreement was required to be executed by the individual identified as the Approving Official under the New Project Application. Transmittal instructions expressly prohibit signatories other than the individual previously identified.
In compliance with Council’s Resolution No. 2020-22, all contracts in excess of the City Manager’s limits of approval are to be brought to City Council for approval. This agenda item is intended to comply with that requirement.
Staff recommends approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds will be received in revenue account 346-331-000-000-09-33161 and disbursed from expense account 346-060-638-554-55*. There is an accompanying budget resolution on this agenda.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
The Grant Agreement has been reviewed by the Procurement and Contracting Officer in compliance with City policy.
LEGAL REVIEW:
This Agreement will be reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny