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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2020-67)C? Sponsored by: Coun ci l Membe r Na varre Kf;NAI CITY OF KEN AI RESOLUTION NO. 2020-67 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, APPROVING A GRANT TO THE ALASKA MUNIC IPAL LEAGUE UTILIZING FUNDING FROM THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY (CARES) ACT. WHEREAS , the Alaska Municipal League (AML) is an IRS Section 115 quasi-governmenta l non- profit organization; and, WHEREAS , AML's mission is to represent the unified voice of Alaska 's local governments at the state and federal leve l, build consensus and partnerships to address Alaska's challenges and provide training and joint services to local governments; and, WHEREAS, AML has assisted Kenai and other municipalities in Alaska through analyzing and d isseminating COVID-19 information and guidance, providing platforms for information sharing , hosting teleconferences and zoom meetings for numerous groups, and acting as a liaison between local municipalities and state and federal organizations ; and, WHEREAS, AML was instrumental in developing a remote sellers sales ta x collect ion platform for local Alaskan jurisdictions and due at least in part to the COVID-19 public health emergency, this endeavor has resulted in unexpected low financial returns for AML compared to expenditures; and , WHEREAS, the COVID -19 public health emergency has had other significant financ ial impacts on AML; and, WHEREAS , AML has devoted significant staff time and resources to support Kenai and other local municipalities during the COVID-19 public health emergency; and , WHEREAS , while AML did apply for grant funding through the City 's prior CARES Act G rant program , due to the unique nature of its organization and services, AML did not qualify under the program ; and , WHEREAS, AML has requested funding from the City as well as other local municipalities to help offset the impact of the COvid-19 public health emergency; and , WHEREAS , AML will use the funding to help offset increased operating costs in c urred d uring the COVID-19 public health emergency as it continues to assist Alaskan municipalities and will not use the funding for any lobbying activities; and , WHEREAS , providing a grant to AML in the requested amount of $18 ,872 is in the best interest of the City a nd complies with restrictions and guid a nce on use of City CARES Act funding Resolution No . 2020-67 Page 2 of 2 NOW, THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA: Section 1. That the City Manager is authorized to issue a grant in the amount of $18,872 from the City's COVID-19 CARES Act Administration & Non-Payroll Expenditures Department. Section 2. That this resolution takes effect immediately upon adoption . ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this 5 th day of August, 2020. BRIAN GABRIEL, SR., MAYOR ATTEST: City of Kenai I 210 ~ida lgo Ave, Kenai, AK 99611-77941907.283.7535 I www.kenai .ci!y MEMORANDUM TO : FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Mayor Gabriel and Council Members Tim Navarre , Council Member July 29, 2020 Resolution No. 2020-67 -Alaska Municipal League Grant The Alaska Municipal League has assisted Kenai and other municipalities in analyzing and disseminating COVID-19 information and guidance, providing platforms for information sharing , hosting teleconferences and zoom meetings for numerous groups, and act ing as a liaison between local municipalities and state and federal organizations throughout this public health emergency. AML has been significantly impacted as an organization, dedicating substantial resources to the public health emergency and recognizing reduced financial expectations through remote sellers sales tax administration and loss of the annual AML conference. While AML did apply for the City's prior non-profit grant program, given the unique structure and services provided by AML, it did not qualify. I request your support in providing a grant to AML utilizing CARES Act funds to help offset some of the impacts AML has experienced through this public health emergency. •• May 20, 2020 ALASKA MUNICIPAL · ---.:. LEAGUE ~ O NE SEALASKA PLAZA, SUITE 200 JUN EAU , ALASKA 99801 T EL (907) S86-1325 FAX (907 ) 463-5480 WWW.A KML.ORG I hope that over the last few months AML has been helpful, and that our support has contributed to the good work you've been able to accomplish during this public health emergency and economic crisis . We are committed to strengthening our support in the coming months. AML isn't just a bystander during this period; we've definitely been impacted as an organization and expect this to continue throughout next year. Staff time has been reallocated to support members during this crisis, and we expect sponsors and other outside support to diminish. With that in mind, and in the hope that not only can we remain a strong organization but also grow and expand to meet the additional needs of our members, we are making this additional request of you. As you can see, we hope to shore up where we are currently impacted but also make strategic decisions that strengthen our capacity to help members during the public health emergency. We believe that this is a necessary and allowable expenditure from your CARES Act funding, which makes this request less burdensome, hopefully, during a difficult time for all of us. Ultimately, we are sure that your investment in AML will benefit you and all members over the coming months. Please let me know if you have questions or would like to discuss this proposal in detail. Respectfully, Nils Andreassen Executive Director •• Statement of Need ALASKA MUNIC I PAL · ,. LEAGUE ~ ON E SEALASKA PLAZA, SUI TE 200 JUNEAU , ALASKA 9980 1 TEL (907 ) 586 · 1325 FAX (907 ) 463-5480 WWW.AKML.ORG AML has devoted a significant amount of staff time and organizational resources to support members through this public health emergency. While the last two months have been challenging, we're glad to have been able to play some role that's been helpful to our members . We know, too, that this public health emergency and economic crisis will continue . We've begun planning now for how to continue this support through FY21 and beyond . A lot of that will mean shoring up our current capacity and investing in additional measures -staff and outreach -that augment member capacity and support members . Request of Members One of the very clear allowable expenditures of CARES Act funding is in support of organizations that are impacted by the public health emergency or are providing services in support of or response to this crisis. Granting funds to AML during this time, we believe, is a justifiable expense that benefits both AML and members. We've created this request for supplemental fees that you can treat as optional (but hope that you respond positively to), to be paid for from CARES Act funding as you are able. None of these funds will be used for lobbying purposes . We've estimated our total needs and pro-rated them across members. You can choose to follow this format for granting purposes or come up with a flat amount that is consistent with your budget and other community needs. What AML will do with these funds : • Invest in the Remote Sales Tax program to further bring down fees and recruit new members • Ensure social distancing and additional hygiene and sanitation measures at upcoming events • Develop a shared service program in support of CARES Act compliance, reporting, and grants • Implement a CARES Act hotline for accounting and legal questions to be answered • Ex pand our support of AMLIP and AML-JIA as they respond to the economic impact • Invest in additional crisis communications for FY21-public outreach, local government value • Support NLC and NACo outreach and advocacy for increased local funding and support Justification AML is a nonprofit impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, with unanticipated co sts that were not budgeted for in FY20 and that will continue to be impacted in FY21. At the same time, as a member-service organization, we can augment the capacity of local governments and provide real value in support of public health response and management, and economic relief for residents and businesses. Investments that AML makes during this time lower the costs of doing business for members and ultimately Alaska communities. These actions would not otherwise be necessary without the public health and economic crisis. Note, for budget purposes: The AML Annual Local Government Conference will be dedicated to the Costs of COVID -Crisis Management and Recovery. We would argue that this is an allowable expenditure for participation by members, which CARES Act funding may be used for.