DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Xavier D. Urrutia
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Grant Application and Acceptance of Funds for Summer Food Service Program
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of a grant application and acceptance of funds upon award, from the Texas Department of Agriculture for $1,196,774.19 to fund the 2019 Summer Food Service Program operated by the Parks and Recreation Department (SAPAR) for the period of June 10, 2019, through August 16, 2019. This ordinance also authorizes the Director of Parks and Recreation to include acceptance of additional grant funds up to a limit of 20% of the grant, if awarded, from the Texas Department of Agriculture for food service awarded during the term of this grant.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
This application will allow the continuation of the Summer Food Service Program that has provided nutritional meals to children age eighteen and below in our community during the summer months since 1969. The program will enable service to over 6,020 children, with maximum capacity to serve approximately 242,760 lunches and 250,535 snacks throughout the summer in conjunction with the SAPAR’s Summer Youth Programs and other city-wide non-profit organizations at over 68 sites such as, YWCA, La Promesa, and St. John Bosco. The Parks and Recreation Department provides these services through Selrico Services, Inc., an outside contractor selected through a competitive process in January 2015 and is in the fifth year of a five year agreement. Parks and Recreation staff coordinated with Metro Health to ensure a Por Vida designated healthy menu again this year.
If awarded, this ordinance allows the establishment of a fund, budget and 10 temporary employee positions to coordinate the food program. The proposed budget for the Summer Food Service Program is outlined in Attachment I. This ordinance will also allow the City to accept any additional Texas Department of Agriculture funds for food service awarded during the term of this grant.
ISSUE:
The Texas Department of Agriculture grant application is consistent with City policy to apply for grants to enhance service delivery by supplementing local funds. This item authorizes the submission of an application to the Texas Department of Agriculture to fund the 2019 Summer Food Service Program, acceptance of the grant if awarded and any additional Texas Department of Agriculture funds for food service awarded during the term of this grant.
ALTERNATIVES:
Non-submission of the grant application will require other funds be identified in order for the program to continue, or require that children participating in the Summer Youth Program, at swimming pools, or other agency summer programs will have to provide their own meals.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of a grant application and acceptance of funds upon award, from the Texas Department of Agriculture for $1,196,774.19 to fund the 2019 Summer Food Service Program operated by the Parks and Recreation Department (SAPAR) for the period of June 10, 2019, through August 16, 2019. The grant will provide for all project costs, including personnel and support services. The amount allocated for purchase of food will be $991,592.35 which equals 83% of the total program budget. The remainder is utilized for support services, including personnel, transportation, equipment, and fees. There is no general fund fiscal impact associated with this ordinance.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval for this ordinance authorizing the submission of an application to the Texas Department of Agriculture for $1,196,774.19 to fund the 2019 Summer Food Service Program operated by the Parks and Recreation Department for the period of June 10, 2019, through August 16, 2019, the acceptance of the grant if awarded, and any additional Texas Department of Agriculture funds for food service awarded during the term of this grant.