Submitted By: James Haynes
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Presentation By: James Haynes
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Department: Community Development Services
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Ratify the signature of the City Manager on the 2023 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Continuum of Care Program Funding Competition Grant Agreement for Coordinated Entry supportive services totaling $71,023
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Fiscally Sustainable, Operational Excellence
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is designed, among other things, to promote community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness and provide funding for efforts by local governments to quickly house homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families, and communities by homelessness. CoC program grant funds may be used for a range of eligible activities including paying for supportive services such as annual assessment of services, moving costs, case management, housing search and counseling services, transportation, utility deposits and other outreach services.
On February 4, 2020, the City of Ocala (“City”) and Marion County entered into an interlocal agreement for the creation of 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 to enable the City to serve as the Lead Agency and assume oversight of the duties and responsibilities of the Continuum of Care’s coordinated entry process. As the HMIS Lead Agency, the City would be responsible for submitting a grant application on behalf of and in support of the Ocala/Marion County Continuum of Care’s supportive services which directly relate to carrying out coordinated entry activities.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
On August 23, 2023, in response to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Notice of Funding Opportunity for the FY2023 Continuum of Care (CoC) Competition Award, the City submitted a New Project Application for Supportive Services for the benefit of the Ocala/Marion County Continuum of Care’s coordinated entry system. City Manager, Peter Lee, was identified as the Authorized Certifying Official for the Continuum of Care Program.
On August 13, 2024, the City of Ocala was awarded HUD’s CoC Program Project Grant No. FL1026T4H142300 in the amount of $71,023. These funds will be utilized to fund the annual cost of supportive services for the term October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. The associated funds were made available for reimbursement on or around January 14, 2025.
The Grant Agreement was executed by Mr. Lee on August 20, 2024. 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.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The CoC must provide a 25 percent match, either in-kind services or cash. The City will use general fund salaries from the Community Development Services Department for its match. Funding is being appropriated on an accompanying budget resolution. Funds will be received in revenue account 346-331-000-000-09-33542, and expenses will be paid from accounts 346-060-632-554-55*.
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 as to form and legality by the City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny