DEPARTMENT: City Manager’s Office
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Veronica A. Carrillo, COVID-19 Executive Officer
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on the April Financial Report of the COVID-19 Emergency Response and Recovery and Resiliency Plan and the American Rescue Plan Act.
SUMMARY:
The City Council will be provided a briefing on the April Financial Report of the COVID-19 Emergency Response, Health Implementation Plan and Recovery & Resiliency Plan. Additionally, the City Council will be provided an update on the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio began responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic in early February 2020. San Antonio like many other cities across the country were impacted by the pandemic including increased unemployment rate, reduction in city revenues, and impacts on certain economic sectors including the hospitality and travel industries.
In April 2020, the City Council approved an Emergency Housing Assistance program to assist San Antonio residents negatively impacted by COVID-19 with rental and mortgage assistance. Later in June 2020, the City Council approved a Recovery and Resiliency Plan to aimed to help San Antonio, workers, and businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan was developed around the five Guiding Principles of: 1) Public Health and Safety; 2) Equity; 3) Braided Funding; 4) Community Resiliency; and 5) Well-being.
The work is comprised of four pillars: Workforce Development, Housing Security, Small Business Support, and Digital Inclusion. Each pillar is comprised of multiple initiatives with identified budgets for each initiative.
In addition, City Council approved a plan to fund the City’s ongoing emergency response to the pandemic and a Health Implementation Plan.
Since June 2020, the City Council has been provided with financial updates for the COVID-19 Recovery and Resiliency Plan, Emergency Response, and Health Implementation Plan. at “B” Sessions on August 12, September 9, October 7, 2020, November 4, 2020, December 2, 2020, and December 17, 2020. In addition to financial updates, the council has received updates on legislative acts that provide federal funding to assist and respond to the pandemic including most recently on April 8, 2021.
The total program has increased since April 2020 with funding from federal grants and operating funds to a total of $649.1 million. At the June 2 “B” Session, the City Council will be provided with a financial report and status of the program.
ISSUE:
Staff will provide a briefing on the status of the COVID-19 Recovery and Resiliency Plan and the City’s Emergency Response including the April Financial Report of the COVID-19 Emergency Response and Recovery and Resiliency Plan. Staff will also provide an update on the American Rescue Plan Act.
ALTERNATIVES:
This briefing is for informational purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This briefing is for informational purposes only.
RECOMMENDATION:
This briefing is for informational purposes only.