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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 5026 with The Upper Room Dining Hall, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, for the provision of food for homeless individuals placed in County-contracted motels during the COVID-19 crisis, with a retroactive effective date of June 21, 2020 and expires December 31, 2020, with a maximum contractual obligation of $133,170; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement 5026, including amendments which do not increase the amount or change the term of the Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: State of CA Emergency COVID-19 Funding or other State funding approved for COVID-19 emergency response including but not limited to, County Medical Services Program COVID-19 Emergency Response Grant, and/or Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. (CARES Act Program)
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On March 18, 2020, the Governor of the State of California executed Executive Order N-32-20 declaring that the COVID-19 emergency required a focused approach that would include emergency protective measures to bring “unsheltered Californians safely indoors, expand shelter capacity, maintain health and sanitation standards and institute medically indicated interventions” to slow the spread of the pandemic.
On March 23, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC) awarded the County and El Dorado Opportunity Knocks Continuum of Care (CoC), two separate allocations - $119,462.49 for the CoC, and $109,908.68 for the County. The purpose of the funding is to protect the health and safety of people experiencing homelessness and reduce the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Since then, additional COVID-19 funding has become available through the County Medical Services Program COVID-19 Emergency Response Grant and the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act Program).
The various funding can be used for prevention and containment efforts for shelters including food services and supplies with an emphasis on proper social distancing techniques to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among homeless populations.
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) entered into emergency shelter and housing agreements for specified members of the public during this period of emergency. In addition to entering into emergency shelter agreements during the COVID-19 incident, HHSA also entered into Agreement 4859 on April 24, 2020 with The Upper Room (Contractor) for the provision of food for homeless individuals placed in County-contracted motels Agreement 4859 expired on June 20, 2020. This expiration was an oversight resulting from the multiple commitments towards the COVID-19 Pandemic incident provided by the County simultaneously. HHSA prepared a new agreement with a retroactive term that began June 21, 2020 in order to be able to pay Contractor for the meals it has continued to provide to the clients sheltered in motel(s).
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve Agreement 5026, there is not an alternative option to pay Contractor for the meals already provided to the clients sheltering at contracted motel(s) nor for future meals to those clients or other future clients.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 04/02/20, 20-0502, CAO/HHSA Delegate to CAO COVID-19
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. Costs will be paid through various COVID-19 Funding.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain the Chair’s signature on two (2) originals of Agreement 5026.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to Health and Human Services Agency, Contracts Unit, 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Public Safety / Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Don Semon, Health and Human Services Agency Director