Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County for Grant Funding Through the CARES Act to Support Hygiene Best Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County for Grant Funding through the CARES Act to support hygiene best practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in Olympia and the Thurston County Urban Core.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County for grant funding through the CARES Act to support hygiene best practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in Olympia and the Thurston County Urban Core.
Staff Contact:
Keith Stahley, Assistant City Manager, Executive Department 360.753.8227
Presenter(s):
Keith Stahley, Assistant City Manager, Executive Department
Background and Analysis:
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was signed into law providing for over $2 trillion in relief for American workers, families, and small businesses, and to preserve jobs for American industries.
On April 27, 2020, Washington State announced the allocation of nearly $300 million for local governments from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (the “CRF”) available under the CARES Act. Thurston County's share of the CRF is $15,724,500.
On March 19, 2020, Thurston County (County) signed a grant agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce for the Washington State COVID-19 Outbreak Emergency Housing Grant (EHG) for $999,376. The purpose of the EHG grant is to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak related to public health needs of people experiencing homelessness or otherwise in need of quarantine or isolation housing during the COVID-19 outbreak.
People in Thurston County experiencing homelessness have lost access to hygiene services since the COVID-19 outbreak due to the closure of public hygiene facilities, and have lost access to shelter services due to social distancing requirements in congregate shelter facilities.
The County has determined that engaging with the City for disbursement of the CRF and EHG funds would yield efficiencies not available to the County alone.
Neighborhood/Community Interests:
Contracting with the County for a portion of its CRF and EHG funding will provide hygiene services for people experiencing homelessness in Olympia and the Thurston County urban core to support hygiene best practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Options:
1. Move to approve the Resolution Authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County for Grant Funding Through the CARES Act to Support Hygiene Best Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
2. Move to reject the Resolution Authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County for Grant Funding Through the CARES Act to Support Hygiene Best Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Financial Impact:
The County will provide up to $150,000 to the City from the County's share of its local CRF allotment and Commerce EHG funds during the period of March 17, 2020, through October 31, 2020, and not accounted for in the City budget approved as of March 27, 2020. As the needs to address the COVID-19 pandemic for the unsheltered population evolve and change over time, the County will contract with the City for specific activities and funding amounts, under the scope of this Agreement.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement