Number
210268
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. HAMILTON, JOHNSON, MURPHY AND COGGS
Title
Substitute resolution authorizing acceptance of an American Rescue Plan Act grant and allocating $3.8 million to fund the Earn and Learn Program.
Analysis
This resolution authorizes the Department of Administration to accept funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury for an American Rescue Plan Act grant in the amount of $197,113,324.50 and allocates $3.8 million to the Department of Administration for the Earn and Learn Program.
Body
Whereas, The Department of Administration received approval from the Mayor to apply for the American Rescue Plan Act grant from the United States Department of the Treasury; and
Whereas, The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant is scheduled to operate from March 3, 2021 to December 31, 2024 and is anticipated to provide approximately $394,226,649 to the City of Milwaukee through the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (LFRF); and
Whereas, The City has received the initial LFRF grant award of $197,113,324.50, of which the full amount is provided by the grantor, with $0 provided by the City; and
Whereas, The LFRF provides substantial flexibility for the City of Milwaukee to provide a foundation for a strong and equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic; and
Whereas, The LFRF can be used to support COVID-19 and other public health response efforts, replace lost public sector revenue and support local public services, support economic stabilization for households and businesses, make necessary investments in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure, and address public health, economic and educational disparities; and
Whereas, The Earn and Learn Program aligns with the intent and priorities of ARPA, including serving as a neighborhood stabilization effort for underserved communities and providing employment opportunities for those who have been most adversely affected by COVID-19; and
Whereas, Earn and Learn has established partnerships with organizations working in the most underserved and economically disadvantaged communities, which conduct outreach and provide work sites; and
Whereas, In 2013, the City applied for the federal Promise Zone designation, which the U.S. Department of Education targeted for improving the educational outcomes of students in distressed urban and rural neighborhoods; and
Whereas, In 2014, the Common Council issued The Milwaukee Promise Zones Report, attached to Common Council Resolution File Number 141191; and
Whereas, The Report analyzed and identified the census tracts within the city with the greatest disparities in health, employment, and education; and
Whereas, The Milwaukee Promise Zones were created to alleviate disparities in the most impacted areas, which is an established goal that aligns with ARPA goals; and
Whereas, Directing ARPA funds toward Promise Zones aligns with the goals of the Act with respect to alleviating those areas most negatively impacted by COVID-19; and
Whereas, Promise Zones have long-established partnerships with numerous community partners focusing their efforts on decreasing disparities in health, employment, and education; and
Whereas, The area in which the Earn and Learn Program operates overlaps with the Promise Zones; and
Whereas, The Earn and Learn Program is suited to mitigate the economic disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic by providing job training and assistance to disadvantaged minority and low-income youth; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee that the Department of Administration is authorized to accept an American Rescue Plan Act grant through the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund without further approval unless the terms of the grant change as indicated in s. 304-81 of the Code of Ordinances; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Comptroller is authorized to:
1. Commit funds within the project/grant parent of the 2021 Special Revenue Grant and Aid Projects Fund the following amounts for the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.
Project/Grant GR0002100000
Fund 0150
Org 9990
Program 0001
Budget Year 0000
Sub Class R999
Account 000600
Project Grantor Share
Amount $197,113,324.50
2. Create the necessary grant and aid project/grant and project/grant levels, budget against these project grant values the amount required under the grant agreement.
3. Establish the necessary city share project values.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That $3.8 million of the LFRF grant funds are appropriated to the Department of Administration, which is authorized to:
1. Expend from the amount appropriated sums for the Earn and Learn Program and incur costs consistent with the award date.
2. Expend from the grant budget funds for specific items of equipment.
3. Expend from the grant budget funds for training and out-of-town travel by departmental staff.
4. Enter into leases and subcontracts as needed to fulfill the purposes of the grant.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB 176745-2
Tea B. Norfolk
6/8/21
DOA, ECP, 6/3/2021