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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Chris Ragona, Community Development Manager
DATE: January 17, 2023
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Approving of the 2023 Quality of Life in the Amount of $1,050,800
PURPOSE:
To approve the 2023 Quality of Life Grants by resolution. This approval is necessary in order to award and process 2023 grants.
BACKGROUND:
The Quality of Life Grant (QOL) application process opened on August 25, 2022 and closed on September 23, 2022. City staff prioritized outreach to prospective applicants in order to provide an opportunity to returning recipients of Quality of Life and prospective applicants to apply for the first time. The following table outlines the outreach to attempts by the City:
|
Outreach Opportunity |
Date |
|
Pre-Application Announcement Email |
8-9-2022 |
|
Community Resource Team Email Release |
8-9-2022 |
|
Pre-Application Announcement Email |
8-16-2022 |
|
Beacon Newspaper Advertisement |
8-14-2022 |
|
City of Aurora Press Release |
8-23-2022 |
|
Pre-Application Announcement Email |
8-24-2022 |
|
Pre-Application Virtual Workshop |
8-25-2022 |
|
Final Reminder Regarding Application Due Date |
9-19-2022 |
|
Application Due Date |
9-23-2022 |
In each outreach attempt via email, an estimated 500 notices to representatives from non-profit agencies, elected officials, advisory boards, interested businesses, and residents of the City were provided with information regarding the City’s Quality of Life and Community Development Block Grant opportunities. Additionally, City staff completed numerous follow- ups with agencies for emails that received bounce backs to ensure new contacts at agencies also received the information. The City also contacted other area grant providers to share the City’s grant opportunities. The City also used social media as well as the Beacon New to advertise the opportunity. The pre-application virtual worksheet was attended by 100 representatives which maximized the capability of the online workshop. A recording of the workshop was posted on the City’s website which included copies of the presentation slides for additional reference.
The 2023 Quality of Life funding round closed on September 23, 2022 with 50 applications requesting $1.75 million dollars, which was the highest number of applications and funding request received in the last 5 years. City staff reviewed each application to focus on the following criteria:
-Completeness and quality of the application
-Budget including sources and uses
-Grant management experience
-Past performance
-Ability to operate or carry on project with a reduced amount of funds
-Performance metrics
-Duplication of services
-Ability to serve Aurora residents
City staff also completed good standing checks with the State of Illinois, Internal Revenue Service, and debarment review to ensure each applicant was eligible. Numerous site visits were completed and additional research was conducted to confirm the accuracy of the applicants’ described service areas and outcomes. Lastly, the total number of youth and education applications received was the highest subgroup with 22 applications submitted. City staff reviewed each application to determine the location of services to be provided and the impacted schools. In total, 96% of City schools, or 46 schools, were included under the City’s 2023 Quality of Life applications.
After a review of each application, City staff organized projects by the requested amount, funding availability, and quality of funding proposal. A total of forty-three (43) applications are recommended for 2023 Quality of Life (“QOL”) funding with two (2) projects recommended for a sponsorship. One (1) application has been recommended for Community Development Block Grant funding, and six (6) applications have been recommended for denial. Two (2) applications were received for a new agency expansion opportunity and both were recommended for denial. A brief summary of each application received, the funding requested, recommendations for funding has been attached (Attachment A). Additional information including an agency background and detailed project proposal have also been included (Attachment B). Each funded agency, with the exception of sponsorships, will be required to submit quarterly reports and sign a contract in order to receive payments. Failure to submit quarterly reports or to demonstrate direct service to Aurora clients will result in a reduction or denial of reimbursement requests.
DISCUSSION:
The 2023 QOL Grant program continues to evolve. City staff is continuing to automate the application and reporting process for QOL and anticipates releasing a new reporting system in the 1st quarter of 2023. In addition to performance outcome metrics, the submittal of success stories will remain a priority and will be required as part of the grantee’s 4th quarter progress report. (In fact, the City’s 2022 QOL report/success story submittals were used by City staff to prepare an overview of the accomplishments achieved in 2022.)
In 2023, site visits will remain a priority to complete basic monitoring and when feasible, a tour of the funded programs and facilities. The results of set-up meetings, as well as quarterly progress reports will be further utilized to increase partnerships and to reduce the duplication of services.
Account numbers where funds have been requested for 2023 budget:
215-1302-419.53-25: $444,000
215-1302-419.50-50: $8,000
215-1370-440.50-30: $290,000
215-1360-450.53-26: $115,000
255-3536-421.50-05: $119,000
101-1302-419.53-25: $74,800
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The 2023 QOL Grants will support forty-three (43) activities. These funds will support a wide variety of agencies and fund programs such as youth services, senior services, job training, literacy services, museums, persons with special needs care, and other programs benefitting the residents of Aurora.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends adoption of this resolution authorizing the funding of the 2023 Quality of Life Grants.
cc: Public Health, Safety and Transportation Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Approving the 2023 Quality of Life Grants in the amount of $1,050,800
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora's Quality of Life Grant program has supported dozens local non-profits since 2008, and
WHEREAS, the Quality of Life Grant program has helped serve thousands of people, and
WHEREAS, the financial support of local partners is critical to continue to provide a wide range of programs and services, and
WHERAS, the Quality of Life Committee has reviewed the 2023 QOL applications and made recommendations for funding for 2023, and
WHEREAS, funds are requested in the 2022 budget in the following accounts: 215-1302-419.53-25: $444,000, 215-1302-419.50-50: $8,000, 215-1370-440.50-30: $290,000, 215-1360-450.53-26: $115,000, 255-3536-421.50-05: $119,000, and 101-1302-419.53-25: $74,800.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: subject to the approval of this item in the 2023 budget, the 2023 Quality of Life Grants are approved and incorporated as part of the 2023 City of Aurora Annual Budget.