Agenda Item 22: Categories, Criteria for Freed Up General Fund Dollars from Coronavirus Relief Funds

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COSM_Admin

Administrator
Staff member
Consider approval of Resolution 2021-67R, designating categories and criteria for the use of General Fund dollars made available due to the Award to the City of CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds; partially allocating such funds; authorizing the City Manager to act as the Official Representative of the City in matters related to said funds on behalf of the City, and declaring an effective date.
 

MBaker

Council Member
Will we get to see the one page before it is sent out?

What methods are we looking at for returns? Digital/fillable web link, Pre-posted mail, in person, will it be in English and Spanish?
 

JHughson

CoSM Members
Please redo the tables with boxes and place in message board. The print is too large for the action box and we can't see it all. Pgs 3 and 5 of the ARF.
Why is the Small Business Assistance fund on the list of the 80%? This was another source of funds. Is there a suggestion that we add $200K more to the same fund?
ANY and EVERY time we use "San Marcos resident" (written documents and verbal reports) please state that this means lives inside the city limits. Most don't know this and think that if they have a San Marcos address they will qualify.

For Income restrictions
It states "120% of the City of San Marcos Median Household Income (see attached table)" we really need more info here. Is that the minimum (no, but without definition it could be) or is it the maximum?
Assessment
Please report the status of our plans for the needs assessment. Who is willing to do this for us? This can be done at the meeting.

Attachment
CITY OF SAN MARCOS INCOME INFORMATION section
"San Marcos has approximately 23,154 households with an average 2.45 persons per household." How many will qualify?
Having the NUMBER of people or families we are expecting to help will be important, and the Covid-related new-poverty is on top that. I realize the Covid number may not be known yet.
The 32.1 percent in poverty on the same report is a very important notation I don't see on the list.
 

COSM_Admin

Administrator
Staff member
Please see attached. This document contains the updated ARF to include a full table view.
 

Attachments

  • 22 ARF with full tables - 040621.pdf
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COSM_Admin

Administrator
Staff member
Response provided by Carol Griffith, Housing and Community Development Manager:
Q1 - Please redo the tables with boxes and place in message board. The print is too large for the action box and we can't see it all. Pgs 3 and 5 of the ARF.
A1 – Tammy Cook has fixed this and will send to Council. In future, staff will avoid using tables in the ARFs.

Q2 - Why is the Small Business Assistance fund on the list of the 80%? This was another source of funds. Is there a suggestion that we add $200K more to the same fund?
A2 – The suggestion is that City Council could allocate directly to the Chamber of Commerce to create a new program. The intent is to enable businesses to receive funding as quickly as possible since by designating the Chamber directly, the Chamber would not have to go through the application process that adds more than a month to the timeline.

Q3 - ANY and EVERY time we use "San Marcos resident" (written documents and verbal reports) please state that this means lives inside the city limits. Most don't know this and think that if they have a San Marcos address they will qualify.
A3 – Noted, will do.

Q4 - For Income restrictions - It states "120% of the City of San Marcos Median Household Income (see attached table)" we really need more info here. Is that the minimum (no, but without definition it could be) or is it the maximum?
A4 – The word “maximum” will be added to documents marketing the program.

Q5 – Assessment - Please report the status of our plans for the needs assessment. Who is willing to do this for us? This can be done at the meeting.
A5 – Staff will research this thoroughly upon approval of funding.

Q6 - Attachment - CITY OF SAN MARCOS INCOME INFORMATION section
"San Marcos has approximately 23,154 households with an average 2.45 persons per household." How many will qualify? Having the NUMBER of people or families we are expecting to help will be important, and the Covid-related new-poverty is on top that. I realize the Covid number may not be known yet.
The 32.1 percent in poverty on the same report is a very important notation I don't see on the list.
A6 –Approximately 60% of San Marcos households make less than $49,999 per the Census American Community Survey 2019 data. (Click here for data) Therefore, approximately 13,892 households (60% of 23,154 total households) would meet the income eligibility criteria if set at 120% of San Marcos median income ($48,444).

Questions from CM Baker

Q7 - Will we get to see the one page before it is sent out?
A7 – Creating program materials is typically a staff only function in implementing the policy set by City Council. Holding the material for presentation to City Council would delay implementation of the program.

Q8 - What methods are we looking at for returns? Digital/fillable web link, Pre-posted mail, in person, will it be in English and Spanish?
A8 – Unless directed otherwise, staff will follow the process that is provided for federal funding, as follows: The Notice of Funding Availability published in the newspaper is in Spanish and English. Applications for funding by agencies are in English. They are provided electronically on the City’s website and by email, and at an agency’s request they will be mailed on paper or made available for pick up. A workshop will be held to assist agencies in filling out the application, and translation services will be made available at this workshop. The workshop will likely be virtual due to ongoing pandemic concerns; however, any agency is welcome to contact staff for assistance in filling out the application, and Spanish-speaking staff are available to help. Answers to any questions posed by an agency that are not simply about how to fill out the application will be posted to the City’s website so that all applicants have access to the answers provided.
 
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