CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
                 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA




 Agenda Date:          April 27, 2021

 Action Required:      Approve Resolution

 Presenter:            Kaki Dimock, Director of Human Services

 Staff Contacts:       Kaki Dimock, Director of Human Services
                       Chris Cullinan, Director of Finance

 Title:                CARES Funding Allocation for Emergency Assistance Program
                       (Pathways Fund) - $150,000



Background:

The City received approximately $8.2 million from the Commonwealth of Virginia as part of the
Coronavirus Relief Funds (C.R.F.) to local governments made available through the CARES Act.
The City received these funds in two, equal tranches of $4.1 million in June and August of 2020. The
Commonwealth distributed these funds to local governments based on population. Expenses related
to the City’s direct response to the pandemic were eligible for CARES funding. Additionally,
“second order” effects of the pandemic are eligible, including business disruption funding and other
economic support to those impacted economically.


Discussion:

Approximately $7.3 million in CARES funding was anticipated to be incurred by the original
deadline of December 30, 2020. The projected balance of unspent funds and accrued interest totaled
approximately $921,500. At the December 21, 2020 City Council meeting staff recommended the
usage of these unspent CARES funds to reimburse the General Fund for previously incurred public
safety payroll expenses in order to expend all of the CARES Funds prior to the deadline of
December 30, 2020. Subsequent to the December 21, 2020 City Council meeting, the deadline was
extended allowing for the usage of these funds for this purpose.

Due to the pandemic crisis, requests for financial assistance through the Pathways/Community
Resource Hotline have increased dramatically, resulting in the full distribution of previously
appropriated funds from City Council. Department of Human Services is seeking an appropriation
of $150,000 from unspent CARES funds to provide emergency finance assistance to community
members through the Pathways/Community Resource Hotline. This hotline is maintained by the
Department of Human Services in order to provide immediate financial relief to community
members experiencing a financial crisis.

Staff’s review of this request finds that it is eligible to receive funds under the CARES Act and is
appropriate and needed as our community continues to deal with the impacts of COVID-19.


Alignment with City Council’s Vision and Strategic Plan:

This resolution aligns with Goal 1 of the Strategic Plan to be an inclusive community of self-
sufficient residents; and it aligns with Goal 5 of the Strategic Plan, to be a well-managed and
responsive organization.

Community Engagement:

The Department of Human Services is in regular contact with community members in need,
community partners addressing financial needs, and partners in Albemarle County to ensure that we
are able to be responsive and comprehensive, particularly during this health and economic crisis.
Hotline operators have engaged with over 4,000 community members in need as part of the
partnership with the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation and United Way of Greater
Charlottesville.


Budgetary Impact:

The CARES funds that are proposed to be reallocated are unspent, previously appropriated
dollars, so no new additional funding is required to be appropriated. The funds which were to be
used to reimburse the General Fund for previously incurred public safety payroll expenses, will
be reduced to approximately $771,500. This is reducing the additional budgetary capacity
previously created in the General Fund in the current fiscal year. However should additional
funding be necessary to close any budget shortfalls at the end of the fiscal year, these funds
would be backfilled using American Rescue Plan (A.R.P.) funds.


Recommendation:

Staff recommend that Council approve the attached resolution.


Alternatives:

Identify an alternative funding source (such as Council Strategic Initiatives Funds) and amend the
Resolution, or not approve the resolution and add provide no additional funding to the Emergency
Assistance Program.


Attachments:

   1. Resolution
                                    RESOLUTION
  Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Act (CARES) Funds for Emergency Assistance
                               Program (Pathways Fund)
                                       $150,000

       WHEREAS, the Charlottesville City Council allocated $921,500 of unspent Coronavirus
Aid, Relief, and Economic Act (CARES) funds to reimburse the General Fund for previously
incurred public safety payroll expenses; and

       WHEREAS, the Charlottesville City Council has requested those funds be used to provide
emergency finance assistance to community members through the Pathways/Community Resource
Hotline;

       NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Charlottesville,
Virginia that $150,000 of the previously unspent CARES Funds be allocated in the following
manner:


Transfer From:
$150,000     Fund: 208             Internal Order: 1900386             GL Code: 599999

Transfer To:
$150,000     Fund: 208             Internal Order: 1900384             GL Code: 599999