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HomeMy WebLinkAbout011221-05.7MvnLE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF REPORT 5o7 TO: Mayor and Town Council January 12, 2021 SUBJECT: Resolution No. 3-2020 authorizing, a mid -year budget appropriation of $24,000 to extend a contract for grant writing assistance and services with Townsend Public Affairs, Incorporated BACKGROUND In the course of three years, Townsend Public Affairs (TPA) has established a strong working relationship with the Tri -Valley Cities in their advocacy work on behalf of the region. The Tri -Valley Cities will continue to work with TPA on both federal and state advocacy in 2021. In addition to advocacy services, TPA specializes in assisting their clients with knowledge and expertise related to government grants and grant writing services. Despite prudent fiscal management, the Town has a number of capital projects that are either unfunded or underfunded over the next several years, and desires to leverage existing funds where possible through obtaining grants or earmarks. DISCUSSION At the Town's request, TPA reviewed various Town plans and documents to assess potential grant writing opportunities and identified 27 potential grant writing opportunities encompassing multiple capital improvement projects (CIP), as well as several other significant funding opportunities for the Town. Based upon the opportunity to further leverage and expand upon funding for local community improvements and initiatives, the Town entered into an initial one-year contract with TPA which ran from January 1 - December 31, 2020. During this time, the Town has benefitted significantly by having TPA prepare and/ or coordinate grant applications to address greatest areas of opportunity or need, and shepherd these grant applications through the review and approval process. The Town has been awarded $515,000 in grant funding in 2020 and currently has $3.7 million in pending applications. However, due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing fiscal crisis, many additional grant programs have been unavailable or delayed. With the onset of the 2021 calendar year and legislative cycle, staff met with the Legislative Committee and discussed continuation of the grant program through the 2020/21 fiscal year. Appropriation of funding would allow for a contract extension that would run through July 31, 2021. PUBLIC CONTACT Posting of the meeting agenda serves as notice to the general public. FISCAL IMPACT The initial one-year contract with TPA was for $48,000. A mid -year appropriation of $24,000 is recommended to cover the remainder of the 2020/2021 fiscal year. The Town has sufficient Contingency Funds available to fund this contract extension. RECOMMENDATION Adopt Resolution No. 3-2021, authorizing a mid -year budget appropriation of $24,000 to extend a grant writing assistance and services contract with Townsend Public Affairs, Incorporated. Prepared by: Diane Friedmann Assistant to the Town Manager Reviewed by: Joseph Calabrigo Town Manager Attachments: Resolution No. 3-2021 Townsend and Associates Grant Writing Contract 2 January 12, 2021 DocuSign Envelope ID: F4518098-5059-470A-98BB-DOAA54A75136 RESOLUTION NO. 3-2021 AUTHORIZING A MID -YEAR BUDGET APPROPRIATION OF $24,000 TO EXTEND A CONTRACT FOR GRANT WRITING ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES WITH TOWNSEND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, INCORPORATED WHEREAS, the Town is part of a consortium of Tri -Valley Cities utilizing Townsend Public Affairs to provide assistance with federal and state advocacy work; and WHEREAS, Townsend Public Affairs is uniquely qualified in assisting their clients with knowledge and expertise related to government grants and grant writing services; and WHEREAS, the Town and Townsend Public Affairs have reviewed various Town plans, documents and programs to assess potential grant writing opportunities and have identified several grant writing and funding opportunities for the Town; and WHEREAS, the Town stands to benefit significantly by retaining Townsend Public Affairs to coordinate and prepare grant applications to address greatest areas of opportunity or need, and shepherd these grant applications through the review and approval process; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Danville Town Council hereby authorizes the Town Manager to extend a Grant Writing and Assistance Services contract with Townsend Public Affairs; and, be it further RESOLVED, that the Town Council hereby appropriates $24,000 in currently available Contingency Funds for this purpose. APPROVED by the Danville Town Council at a regular meeting on January 12, 2021 by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSTAINED: ABSENT: APPROVEDL,,.�§gT FORM: $. Ewe CITY ATTORNEY MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK