Report Prepared by: Sarah Knoester, Management Analyst
Title
SUBJECT: Authorization to Appropriate Grant Funding in the Amount of $977,647 from State of California, Board of State and Community Corrections for the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program; Approval of a Supplemental Appropriation in the Amount of $83,800 from Measure Y Parks & Recreation 20%; Adopting Resolution 2023-02 of the City Council of the City of Merced Amending the Classification Plan by Adding Four Peer Support Specialist Positions, Adding the Job Description and Establishing the Salary Range for the Peer Support Specialist; and Allocating the Four Peer Support Specialist to the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers appropriating grant funds in the amount of $977,647 from State of California Board of State and Community Corrections for the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program, approval of a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $83,800 from Measure Y Parks & Recreation 20%, considers authorizing the approval of a new job position of Peer Support Specialist, and approving the accompanying job description and salary range for said position.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Increasing revenue account in the General Fund-Office of Neighborhood Safety Division in the amount of $977,647, and appropriating the same in the General Fund-Office of Neighborhood Safety Division; and,
B. Approving a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $83,800 in Fund 85 -Measure Y Parks & Rec 20%; and,
C. Authorizing the use of pooled cash to cover the appropriation until grant funds are reimbursed; and,
D. Adopting Resolution 2023-02 a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, amending the classification plan by updating the personnel allocation in the City Council/City Manager’s Department by adding four Peer Support Specialists; and adding the job description and establishing the salary range for Peer Support Specialist; and,
E. Allocating four Peer Support Specialists in the Office of Neighborhood Safety Division to be funded by the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program; and,
F. Authorizing the Finance Officer to make the necessary budget adjustments; and,
G. Authorizing the City Manager or Deputy City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommend by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by Staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to Staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200
Article VII, Section 710 of the Merced City Charter, and as recommended by the Merced City Personnel Board at their meeting on December 12, 2022
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Council Priority #3: Merced Unity Project - Community Violence Prevention, as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending plan.
DISCUSSION
History and Past Actions
On June 10, 2022, the Board of State Community and Corrections (BSCC) released the CalVIP Grant Program Request for Proposals (RFP). This RFP made available $53,440,829 through a competitive process for projects that address local impacts due to the legalization of cannabis in California.
On July 5, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution 2022-44 authorizing the submittal of an application/proposal for the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program (CalVIP) Grant Program and authorized the City Manager to execute the standard grant agreement, any amendments, and other necessary documents related to the grant application.
On July 15, 2022, the City submitted the CalVIP Grant Program Proposal package to the BSCC. The proposal includes a three-year pilot program, in partnership with Merced County Probation, to establish the Pathways to Success Program. This program is a multi-agency, collaborative approach to working with youth experiencing violence and their families. The pilot program will offer wraparound reentry support to youth and serve as a prevention hub where supportive services and programs will be offered to at-risk, and probation involved youth and their families. The City of Merced’s contribution, as part of the CalVIP grant, will be to establish a new Division within the City Manager’s Office, the Office of Neighborhood Safety, where four Peer Support Specialists will be assigned to participate in the Pathways to Success Program. Reporting directly to the City Manager, Peer Support Specialists will be assigned a caseload and offer peer support, direct links to resources, systems navigation, tutoring, job training, and family strengthening resources needed to build a positive community network that acts as an alternative to violence. Included in the pilot program will be the salary and benefits associated with the four grant funded positions, necessary supplies and services needed to support these activities, professional development to aid Peer Support Specialists in providing culturally and evidence-based services, direct individual, and family support. The CalVIP program ends December 2025.
On September 9, 2022, funding recommendations went before the BSCC Board and the CalVIP Scoring Panel. The BSCC Board unanimously passed the agenda item which approved funding for the City of Merced’s grant application/proposal.
On September 19, 2022, Council accepted grant funding of $977,647 from the BSCC for the CalVIP Grant Program.
Current Actions
As mentioned in History and Past Actions, the City of Merced’s contribution towards the CalVIP grant program is to establish the Office of Neighborhood Safety division within the City Manager’s office. This division will be funded by both the grant award and City funds. The grant award ($977,647) will pay for salaries, benefits, office supplies, educational materials, and group session incidentals. City funds will pay for housing, transportation, and financial assistance for the participants, and training and office equipment for the Peer Support Specialists. The City’s cost for this program is $333,800.
The City of Merced has also received a commitment from the Merced County Probation Department to partner with the City of Merced and provide an estimated in-kind match of $2,459,430. Staff is in the process of negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding to detail this commitment and the services the community will receive as part of Merced County Probation’s partnership.
Grant Award
On November 17, 2022, Staff received an executed contract from the BSCC. With the executed contract in hand, Staff is seeking City Council approval to increase revenue in the General Fund-Office of Neighborhood Safety Division in the amount of $977,647, and appropriate the same in the General Fund -Office of Neighborhood Safety Division. Since this grant works on a reimbursement basis, this request also seeks the approval of the use of pooled cash until grant funds are received.
City’s Contribution / Supplemental Appropriation
On December 6, 2021, Council set aside $250,000 of Fund 87-American Rescue Plan Act funding for youth programs, particularly programs designed for youth violence prevention. As the CalVIP grant program is specifically designed to prevent youth violence and recidivism, the $250,000 ARPA money will fund the majority of the required match for this program. The remaining match requirement of $83,800 will be funded from Fund 85 Measure Y Parks & Rec 20% ($333,800 - $250,000 = $83,800).
Compensation Plan / Personnel Positions
On December 12, 2022, the Peer Support Specialist positions, associated job description, and salary range was approved by the City of Merced Personnel Board. Staff is requesting Council to approve Resolution 2023-xx to add these four (4) positions, corresponding job description, and salary range to the compensation plan, and to allocate said positions to the CalVIP grant program, operated in the newly established Office of Neighborhood Safety Division under the City Manager’s Office.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
The City has received a grant award of $977,647 from the BSCC. $250,000 of the match requirement is available within Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget in Fund 87-Amercian Rescue Plan Act. A supplemental appropriation in the amount of $83,800 is needed from Fund 85 Measure Y Parks & Rec 20% to cover the remaining portion of the City’s contribution for the CalVIP grant program.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Grant Contract Cover Letter
2. CalVIP Executed Grant Contract
3. Resolution 2023-02