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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2020-88KENAI CITY OF KENAI RESOLUTION NO. 2020-88 Sponsored by: Administration A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, AMENDING THE CITY'S GRANT DISBURSEMENT PROGRAM UTILIZING FUNDS FROM THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY (CARES) ACT TO PROVIDE A GRANT FOR THE CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER OF ALASKA FOR THE PROVISION OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. WHEREAS, on March 3, 1999, the City accepted conveyance of approximately 9.64 acres from the Kenai Peninsula Borough to provide a site for construction of the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska; and, WHEREAS, in 1999, the City and the Challenger Center worked together to construct the City - owned facility and entered into a 99 -year $1 per year lease for the operation of a Challenger Learning Center by the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska (CLCA); and, WHEREAS, on April 9, 2020 President Donald J. Trump approved a Disaster Declaration for the State of Alaska; and, WHEREAS, on May 20, 2020, the City Council enacted Ordinance 3130-2020 accepting Federal CARES Act funding passed through the State of Alaska for expenditures in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency; and, WHEREAS, on June 3, 2020, the City Council approved a grant disbursement program for small businesses and nonprofit organizations utilizing funds from the CARES Act to support meaningful and long-term recovery of our local economy where help is needed due to impacts associated with the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency; and, WHEREAS, on June 18, 2020, the CLCA applied for and was awarded a City of Kenai Nonprofit Grant in the amount of $50,000 due to impacts from COVID-19-related closures; and, WHEREAS, on April 27, 2020, the CLCA re -opened and began developing and increasing virtual educational options to meet the growing need for access to virtual learning; and, WHEREAS, CLCA develops curricula for use in k-12 classrooms, along with teacher trainings, reference materials and classroom support; and, WHEREAS, CLCA is uniquely situated to fill a need caused by the public health emergency in formal and informal education in the immediate future; and, WHEREAS, the CLCA has identified and responded to a growing need for additional virtual learning programs as a result of the public health emergency and has requested financial support Resolution No. 2020-88 Page 2 of 2 in the amount of $100,000 to continue its efforts to provide educational services to a growing number of at-home students and teachers in the community; and, WHEREAS, CLCA has expanded its virtual presence with in-house development of virtual curricula and is working with the Challenger national Network to further expand options; and, WHEREAS, CLCA's newly developed "Classroom Adventures' is anticipated to be disseminated through Kenai Peninsula and Alaska Classrooms with a potential to impact upwards of 3000 students; and, WHEREAS, the CLCA, contingent on receipt of this grant, has committed to the continued development of needed programs and to provide these virtual learning programs to students at no cost through December of 2020; and, WHEREAS, the grant disbursement program meets the intent of the CARES Act to provide emergency assistance for expenses to facilitate distance learning, including technological improvements, in connection with school closures to enable compliance with COVID-19 precautions; and, WHEREAS, there are sufficient funds available in Business and Nonprofit Entity Recovery Grants due to funds that were not dispersed to businesses and nonprofits in Round 1 or likely to be distributed in Round 2 of the grant program; and, WHEREAS, due to the continued impacts to residents or the possibility of future mandated closures of schools due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, it is in the best interests of the City to amend the City's grant disbursement program to provide a grant for the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in the amount of $100,000 for the provision of educational services NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA: Section 1. That the Grant Disbursement Program is amended to provide a grant for the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in the amount of $100,000 for the provision of educational services. Section 2. That this resolution takes effect immediately upon passage. PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this 4th day of November, 2020. EL, SR., MAYOR ATTEST: J "mi Heinz, CMC, City Clerk U W v a x`tiO'.ti�N Approved by Finance: zo�_ VNDE` K I N A City of Kenai 1 210 Fidalgo Ave. Kenai, AK 99611-7794 1907.283.7535 I www lcenaixity MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Gabriel and Council Members FROM: Paul Ostrander, City Manager DATE: October 29, 2020 SUBJECT: Resolution 2020-88 — Challenger Learning Center CARES Act Grant In 1999 the City and the Challenger Learning Center entered into a 99 -year lease for $1 per year for the operation of a Challenger Learning Center by the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska (CLCA). Since that time, the CLCA has increased awareness in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) for over 100,000 Alaskans through simulated missions, workshops, distance -based learning and outreach. Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the educational opportunities that the CLCA relies on for operations have been severely impacted. To accommodate students, many of whom are now relegated to strictly distance learning due to public school closures, the CLCA has developed virtual learning programs that enable them to deliver valuable programs to students remotely. However, CLCA continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency. To allow them to continue to develop and provide these virtual programs through the remainder of the year, and to fill the gap created when local schools closed to in -student learning, the CLCA reached out to the City of Kenai to request a grant utilizing CARES Act funding. Their request includes operational costs of $30,000 per month for the months of October through December, and additionally, $10,000 for materials and shipping. The CLCA has committed to providing these virtual programs at no cost to participating students Your consideration is appreciated. For over 20 years, CLCA has increased awareness of STEM and inspired over 100,000 Alaskans to develop interest in STEM fields through simulated missions, workshops, distance -based learning and out- reach. CLCA develops curricula for use in 02 classrooms along with teacher trainings, reference materials and classroom support, in addition to community and corporate programs designed to increase teamwork and communication. In 2010, CLCA expanded services to include critical life-saving training for community and industry in the survival sciences. CSET specializes in cold water survival, land survival, USCG approved vessel drills along with the industry and military based Helicopter Underwater Egress Training (HUET). While providing life-saving training to our industry partners, Challenger takes great pride in the integration of the safety culture introduced to our youth through Kids Don't Float programs, Alaska Water Wise safe boating programs, and conducting Cold Water Survival to our Migrant Student and Commercial Fishing populations. It is through revenue derived from educational and training operations, along with partnerships with local industry that CLCA has been able to fulfill its mission. Unfortunately, due to the unprecedented COVID- 19 pandemic, revenue and our access to our beneficiaries was abruptly cut off. CLCA was forced to close its doors March 16, 2020, all educational and training operations halted, resulting in a total and complete loss of revenue. CLCA average annual revenue during the previous two (2) years was $500,470.00. To date, revenue for 2020 totals $116,695.00. With the help of the PPP grant, CLCA was able to bring staff on April 27, 2020. With the PPP grant along with a CARES act round 1 grant from the City of Kenai on June 30, 2020, revenue totals rose to $218,237.00 allowing CLCA staff to dig in and busily start developing and increasing virtual educational options to meet the growing need for access to virtual Learning options. This process has involved moving largely to a virtual format preserving the proven CLCA model of collaboration, teamwork and hands on activities to empower students to work through challenges and solve problems using STEM disciplines. Our developed programs continue to support teamwork and collaboration in time where students have been forced into largely solitary environments. It is critical students have the opportunity to continue to interact with peers. CLCA is uniquely situated to fill a need in formal and informal education in the immediate future, in addition to long-term as society as a whole adapts to this virtual reality. In Aug, following a virtual STEM Academy involving Alaskan and Bermudian students, CLCA was the recipient of a national 'Innovations in Education' award. We have since expanded our virtual presence with in-house development of virtual curricula, in addition to working within the Challenger National Network to further expand options. Survey data shows a average 4.9 approval rating from participants in recent CLCA virtual programs. 90% of participants said they learned more about STEM. Over 90% reported they were able to work with teammates during the program, and 100% of participants reported the hands-on activities made the Academy more fun and interactive. 100% of participants reported they would participate in another Virtual program through CLCA. Since being able to re -open the center, CLCA has facilitated five (5) virtual STEM opportunities with a total capacity of 100 students. Currently scheduled are two (2) additional academies, eight (8) customized virtual KPBSD Migrant Student programs, and virtual ASD Migrant Student programs, for a compacity of 120 participants. The newly developed 'Classroom Adventures' is scheduled for delivery to Tyonek at the start of the year, we anticipate this dynamic program to be disseminated throughout classrooms across the Kenai Peninsula and Alaska. From November 8 — December 18 (6 weeks): 30 days with a potential 9711 Kenai Spur Hwy -Kenai, AK 99611 907-283-2000 www.akchaUenger.org TED AND CATHERINE STEVENS CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION t`> Challenger LEARNING CE ER CITY OF KENAI ALASKA RE: Challenger Learning Center of Alaska (CLCA) — CARES ACT Funding Request $100,000; Oct— Dec, 2020 @ $30,000.00 per month plus materials and shipping/delivery costs of $10,000. For over 20 years, CLCA has increased awareness of STEM and inspired over 100,000 Alaskans to develop interest in STEM fields through simulated missions, workshops, distance -based learning and out- reach. CLCA develops curricula for use in 02 classrooms along with teacher trainings, reference materials and classroom support, in addition to community and corporate programs designed to increase teamwork and communication. In 2010, CLCA expanded services to include critical life-saving training for community and industry in the survival sciences. CSET specializes in cold water survival, land survival, USCG approved vessel drills along with the industry and military based Helicopter Underwater Egress Training (HUET). While providing life-saving training to our industry partners, Challenger takes great pride in the integration of the safety culture introduced to our youth through Kids Don't Float programs, Alaska Water Wise safe boating programs, and conducting Cold Water Survival to our Migrant Student and Commercial Fishing populations. It is through revenue derived from educational and training operations, along with partnerships with local industry that CLCA has been able to fulfill its mission. Unfortunately, due to the unprecedented COVID- 19 pandemic, revenue and our access to our beneficiaries was abruptly cut off. CLCA was forced to close its doors March 16, 2020, all educational and training operations halted, resulting in a total and complete loss of revenue. CLCA average annual revenue during the previous two (2) years was $500,470.00. To date, revenue for 2020 totals $116,695.00. With the help of the PPP grant, CLCA was able to bring staff on April 27, 2020. With the PPP grant along with a CARES act round 1 grant from the City of Kenai on June 30, 2020, revenue totals rose to $218,237.00 allowing CLCA staff to dig in and busily start developing and increasing virtual educational options to meet the growing need for access to virtual Learning options. This process has involved moving largely to a virtual format preserving the proven CLCA model of collaboration, teamwork and hands on activities to empower students to work through challenges and solve problems using STEM disciplines. Our developed programs continue to support teamwork and collaboration in time where students have been forced into largely solitary environments. It is critical students have the opportunity to continue to interact with peers. CLCA is uniquely situated to fill a need in formal and informal education in the immediate future, in addition to long-term as society as a whole adapts to this virtual reality. In Aug, following a virtual STEM Academy involving Alaskan and Bermudian students, CLCA was the recipient of a national 'Innovations in Education' award. We have since expanded our virtual presence with in-house development of virtual curricula, in addition to working within the Challenger National Network to further expand options. Survey data shows a average 4.9 approval rating from participants in recent CLCA virtual programs. 90% of participants said they learned more about STEM. Over 90% reported they were able to work with teammates during the program, and 100% of participants reported the hands-on activities made the Academy more fun and interactive. 100% of participants reported they would participate in another Virtual program through CLCA. Since being able to re -open the center, CLCA has facilitated five (5) virtual STEM opportunities with a total capacity of 100 students. Currently scheduled are two (2) additional academies, eight (8) customized virtual KPBSD Migrant Student programs, and virtual ASD Migrant Student programs, for a compacity of 120 participants. The newly developed 'Classroom Adventures' is scheduled for delivery to Tyonek at the start of the year, we anticipate this dynamic program to be disseminated throughout classrooms across the Kenai Peninsula and Alaska. From November 8 — December 18 (6 weeks): 30 days with a potential 9711 Kenai Spur Hwy -Kenai, AK 99611 907-283-2000 www.akchaUenger.org October 28, 2020 of 5 sessions per day at 20 students per session, CLCA would be able to impact upwards of 3000 students. Marketing efforts are currently underway to assure teacher, students and parents recently being thrust into the role of teacher, that CLCA is here and ready to provide the needed virtual STEM options. CLCA is asking support of additional CARES funding from the City of Kenai to continue our efforts of suppling critical virtual opportunities to the ever growing number of at home learners and teachers in the classrooms struggling to adapt to constantly changing learning environments. Funds would be used for continued development of needed programs as described by beneficiaries, operational expenses as associated with Virtual program development and delivery to include methods, training, and connectivity. Virtual Program, materials along with shipping/delivery of materials would be free to registered participants through the end of December. Thank you in advance to the City of Kenai and the Council for it consideration for a total of $100,000.00 in support to the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska for the continued efforts in supporting Alaskan students, parents, and teacher with virtual learning options in the STEM disciplines.