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Agenda 02/09/2021 Item #11C (CARES update)02/09/2021 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Recommendation to accept an update on Board-directed Collier CARES community assistance programs and approve allocation of funding available in the General Fund through reimbursements of public safety expenses from the Coronavirus Relief Fund. OBJECTIVE: To provide an update on the Collier CARES program and seek direction on allocation of funding available in the General Fund through reimbursements of public safety expenses from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). CONSIDERATIONS: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act included a $150 billion CRF to provide payments to State, Local, and Tribal governments navigating the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. On June 16, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida’s plan to distribute $1.275 billion in CARES Act funds to counties with a population below 500,000, including $67,162,432 to Collier County. At the June 23, 2020 meeting, as Item 11B, the Board approved an agreement with the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) to receive the CRF appropriation. At the July 14, 2020 meeting, as Item 11B, the Board made funding allocations in several funding categories for community assistance. In subsequent meetings, the Board adjusted funding categories based on emerging Federal and State guidance, and staff continued to administer the program. At the November 10, 2020 meeting, as Item 11A, the Board authorized staff to use maximum flexibility to submit internal County expenses, County public safety expenses, Constitutional expenses, and other eligible governmental expenses to meet the State’s existing deadlines for accounting for the full appropriation of CRF funding to Collier County. Staff was able to meet the then-existing deadline for CRF claim submission of December 3, 2020, by submitting public safety expenses, in addition to other spending programs. Redirection of funding was allowed per guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury as a matter of administrative convenience in light of the public health emergency, allowing continued community programs to be executed. A chart that accounts for the full FDEM submission is attached to this item as backup. As of February 1, 2021, approximately $32 million has made its way into the community through Board- approved programs first initiated in July 2020. Approximately $13.5 million is in process to be paid. An accounting of each of these programs is below as of February 1, 2021: 11.C Packet Pg. 251 02/09/2021 Staff, in cooperation with the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, are processing the final applications and disbursing all final payments and there is expected to be surplus of approximately $22 million once complete. Staff is still working with FDEM to fully reconcile expenditures through the CRF, so the amount available could be subject to future adjustments. Staff recommends establishing an ongoing community assistance program through December 31, 2021 that includes the following: Individual Assistance (Temporary Lodging, Rental, Mortgage, Utilities) - $7,500,000 The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which included a $900 billion COVID-19 Relief package, established a $25 billion Emergency Rental Assistance program through the U.S. Treasury to be distributed by state and local governments. At the January 26, 2021 meeting, as Item 16.D.7, the Board accepted an award of $11,622,380.60. Families and individuals will be able to utilize this assistance for past due rent, future rent payments, as well as to pay utility and energy bills and prevent shutoffs. Under the bill, households are eligible for emergency rental assistance funds if one or more individuals: (1) has qualified for unemployment benefits or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due to or during the pandemic; (2) can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and (3) has a household income below 80% Area Median Income (AMI). The 80% AMI limit is $65,850 for a family of four in Collier County in FY 2020 and (4) one household members shall be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen. Staff recommends establishing a $7,500,000 fund that would mirror qualification criteria established by the latest 2021 relief package but would expand the household income qualifications to 140% AMI, which is $115,220 for a family of four in Collier County for rental assistance. Funds will be set aside for homeowners to prevent foreclosure under the same guidance and administered through a subrecipient agreement with a HUD approved housing counseling agency. Funds can also be used for utility payment and quarantine assistance. The community assistance program would include the additional guidelines: • Maximum assistance of up to $10,000 per household for renters (rent and utilities); • Payments will be made directly to landlord, mortgage company, and/or utility company. • Applicant must have had a loss of employment or reduced hours due to COVID-19; • Applicants must be Collier County residents; • Maximum assistance to homeowners in the amount of $10,000 (mortgage and utilities) and require all participants to participate in housing counseling services; • Room rentals are prohibited and renting homes that are homestead properties Further, the County’s Water Sewer District has discontinued locks for non-payment since the onset of the pandemic. As of February 1, 2021, the Utility has 1,233 delinquent accounts with a total overdue balance of $373,914.88. As part of an ongoing community assistance program, direct real-time assistance will be offered to delinquent rate payers based on the same qualifications outlined for mortgage or rental assistance. Citizens that are required to quarantine because of COVID exposure or testing positive, who lack the ability to isolate may apply for reimbursement of quarantine expenses or may seek assistance with lodging while they quarantine. Those who participate in this program shall (a) provide a positive COVID test result or (b) reside with a family member who has a positive test result ; (c) Collier County resident and (d) inability to isolate or quarantine in their own home as evidenced by self-certification. Small Business / Not for Profit Loan Repayment - $5,500,000 11.C Packet Pg. 252 02/09/2021 In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, small business owners, including agricultural businesses, and nonprofit organizations in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories can apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) from the Small Business Administration. The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to coronavirus. Unlike other assistance offered during the pandemic, EIDL loans that are not advanced and are not forgivable. Staff is recommending establishment of a $5,000,000 fund to pay off up to $25,000 of an EIDL loan and water utility bills for Collier County small businesses and not for profits. The following documentation will be required for payment: • Small Business, qualified agricultural and not for profit business is located within Collier County with 100 or fewer full-time employees • Active business tax license and state registration • Proof of an existing EIDL • Payments will made directly to the SBA on behalf of the applicant Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - $1,000,000 Leveraging existing vendors on contract, the County will continue to acquire a bulk order of PPE. PPE supply kits will continue to be supplied to small businesses and not-for-profits in Collier County, and used in support of widely attended County events, such as the upcoming 2021 US Open Pickleball Championships and events at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex. In addition, these funds will be used to support the safety of our citizens through enhancements at local government and other constitutional offices. The cost associated with the storage of supplies and staff to distribute will be paid from this appropriation. Senior and Social Service Support: $1,500,000 Providing services to home bound low income seniors has been critical during the pandemic. Many of our seniors have remained in their homes with little contact with the public in the last 11 months. Staff is proposing to acquire a software system to support tele-work case management, equipment for case management staff and electronic devices for seniors and the associated wi -fi services for 12 months to allow them to communicate with their physician, case manager and families. Providing funding to area social services/medical providers as the vaccine rolls out may be necessary, in addition to closing out any necessary payments or executing remaining agreements with agencies who were unable to be processed under the original appropriation. Food Security Emergency Assistance: $5,000,000 Food insecurity continues to be a problem in the community as food bank and pantries experience unprecedented need. Food banks and pantries have incurred extraordinary costs throughout the COVID- 19 pandemic. Grants will be made to assist with increased costs due to food purchases, additional staff hired, and/or additional rental space necessary. An allocation for ongoing support to area food agencies will be made through agreements. The County’s partnership with the Community Foundation of Collier County will be continued to support these programs. As such, separate subaward funding agreements will be reached with larger food providers. Community Outreach - $1,200,000 Funds have been marketing efforts by the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors 11.C Packet Pg. 253 02/09/2021 Bureau (CVB) for the establishment of local and out of market efforts to drive consumer sentiment and visitation to Collier County. Recognizing the great impact that the COVID-19 health emergency has had on our hospitality sector, funding was allocated to be set aside for marketing efforts for those in our hospitality sector, with further opportunities to be featured in County marketing efforts. The CVB campaign was enhanced by an educational message to show potential visitors that our tourism businesses are taking all the necessary precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit. The “Paradise Pledge” will continue to be featured, which to date has over 100 hospitality and tourism businesses participating. Funding for this program was executed out of the existing Tourism Division budget for FY 2020 and FY 2021, and reimbursement of the expenses will help avoid incurring any use of emergency funding for ongoing and future marketing efforts. Outreach to the community for the Rental, Mortgage, Utility, Business and PPE program will be conducted through the establishment of a community assistance webpage. All cost associated with television/radio spots, press release, signage, social media campaign and design and publication will be covered under this allocation. The current Quest agreement will be amended and brought back at a future date, to include the cost associated with the campaign. FISCAL IMPACT: Due to reimbursement of General Fund transfers budgeted for public safety expenses, funding is available to fund community assistance program expenses after the current programs finish all payments in process. Approval of this item today would result in the expenditure of the remainder of these funds. The cost associated with administration will be covered through funding received and made available within the Community & Human Service Grant Support Fund (123) Project 33699, unless otherwise determined to administer funds effectively. Staff will distribute funds for eligible expenditures in accordance with Board-approved policy. Other expenses incurred by the County and associated with the administration; staff support, equipment, supplies and offsite rental will be accounted for and are expected to be fully reimbursable. GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no growth management impact associated with this item. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, raises no legal issues, and requires majority vote for action. -JAK RECOMMENDATION: To accept an update on Board-directed Collier CARES community assistance programs and approve allocation of funding available in the General Fund through reimbursements of public safety expenses from the Coronavirus Relief Fund. Prepared By: Sean Callahan, Executive Director, Corporate Business Operations Kristi Sonntag, Director, Community and Human Services ATTACHMENT(S) 1. 12-3-20 CRF Accounting (PDF) 11.C Packet Pg. 254 02/09/2021 COLLIER COUNTY Board of County Commissioners Item Number: 11.C Doc ID: 14893 Item Summary: Recommendation to accept an update on Board-directed Collier CARES community assistance programs and approve allocation of funding available in the General Fund through reimbursements of public safety expenses from the Coronavirus Relief Fund. (Sean Callahan, Executive Director, Corporate Business Operations) Meeting Date: 02/09/2021 Prepared by: Title: – Corporate Business Operations Name: Sean Callahan 02/01/2021 12:57 PM Submitted by: Title: County Manager – County Manager's Office Name: Leo E. Ochs 02/01/2021 12:57 PM Approved By: Review: Community & Human Services Kristi Sonntag Additional Reviewer Completed 02/01/2021 5:29 PM Community & Human Services Maggie Lopez Additional Reviewer Completed 02/01/2021 7:15 PM Corporate Business Operations Jennifer Reynolds Additional Reviewer Completed 02/02/2021 8:19 AM Corporate Business Operations Sean Callahan Additional Reviewer Completed 02/02/2021 11:21 AM Grants Erica Robinson Level 2 Grants Review Completed 02/03/2021 8:08 AM Office of Management and Budget MaryJo Brock Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Skipped 02/02/2021 3:17 PM County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 02/03/2021 9:36 AM Grants Therese Stanley Additional Reviewer Completed 02/03/2021 9:52 AM County Manager's Office Dan Rodriguez Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 02/03/2021 11:34 AM Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 02/09/2021 9:00 AM 11.C Packet Pg. 255 December 3, 2020 CRF Claim Accounting *FDEM is still in review of claims submitted. Amounts represented in the table may change based on final review. Final changes, if any, will be communicated in a future Board action. Program Federal CARES Allocation CARES Claim Submission* Reallocation to CAP Individual Assistance $ 15,000,000 $ 908,557 Sm Business Relaunch & Rehire Asst $ 10,000,000 $ 282,518 Community Health & Initiatives $ 20,000,000 $ 7,114,512 Child Care Facilities $ 5,000,000 $ - Food Assistance Program $ 5,530,000 $ 3,881,388 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) $ 5,000,000 $ 1,837,167 Community Replenishment/ Admin $ 1,632,431 $ 484,421 Public Health & Safety $ 5,000,000 $ 52,653,869 $ 44,464,802 Total $ 67,162,431 $ 67,162,431 $ 44,464,802 11.C.1 Packet Pg. 256 Attachment: 12-3-20 CRF Accounting (14893 : CARES Update and Direction)