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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Chris Ragona, Community Development Manager, Community Development Division
DATE: November 2, 2020
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment 2020-#3 to modify Project CDBG-2020-10 - 605 District to convert the activity from an economic development activity to a public service activity focusing on youth education in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
PURPOSE:
Staff requests authorization of Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment 2020-#3 to modify Project CDBG-2020-10 - 605 Innovation to convert the activity from an economic development activity in the amount of $100,000 for a public service activity focusing on youth education in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. A summary of the proposed recommendations can be found below.
BACKGROUND:
The 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and 2020 Annual Action Plan were approved by City Council on 1/28/2020, R20-016. Two Substantial Amendments to the City’s 2020 Annual Action Plan were approved by City Council on 4/28/20, R20-091 and on August 11, 2020 R20-162. This Substantial Amendment-#3 was required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) due to a change in the use of federal funds from one eligible activity to another in excess of 25% of a single activity budget.
In order to expedite CDBG funding and in keeping with HUD's COVID-19 public comment regulatory waivers, a reduced public comment period is scheduled for 11/9/2020 to 11/13/2020 and a virtual public hearing is scheduled for 11/12/2020 (Please see public notice, Attachment 1). The proposed Substantial Amendment to the City of Aurora’s 2020 Annual Action Plan (Attachment 1) and public hearing minutes (Attachment 2) are attached. A summary of public comments will be included in the Committee of the Whole packet. This specific project was also previously approved by City Council on 10/27/2020, and this request will approve CDBG funds to cover the cost of the program.
Due to the pandemic, after school activities such as sports, music, and clubs have been delayed, reduced, or even cancelled. The activities will either be conducted virtually or in person depending on the state on order, but the safety of the instructors and students will be the highest priority in providing this after school activity. This program will be open to all qualifying households throughout city limits.
DISCUSSION:
Staff requests authorization of Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment 2020-#3 to provide CDBG funding for the project listed below as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDBG proposed project is recommended to convert the activity from an economic development activity to a public service activity focusing on youth education in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. A summary of the proposed activity has been outlined below:
TinkRworks is a provider of exceptional K-8 STEAM projects designed to allow students to: foster a love of creating, enhance problem-solving skills, reinforce and expand on concepts & ideas taught in schools, inspire curiosity, and encourage self-expression.
The STEAM-X model brings high-quality projects to schools and organization, delivered to our community by our own certified facilitator. The “X” in STEAM-X stands for X-ceptional (exceptional) and also for X-ccesible (accessible). That’s what it’s all about. TinkRworks STEAM-X service combines comprehensive professional development (PD) with needed curricular elements in a way for our identified facilitator(s) to delivery exceptional STEAM experiences to students. Once projects are selected and professional development is completed, TinkRworks provides curriculum, hardware & software elements (in the form of kits), and extensive support, all of which allows facilitators to seamlessly deliver dynamic STEAM projects linked back to curricular learning objectives and standards (Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards, and Computer Science Teachers Association). It’s a great way to enhance the STEAM experience within our city.
This request is to continue the valued partnership between the City of Aurora, APS Training Institute and TinkRworks that enables the implementation of top-tier STEAM curriculum supporting the delivering of highly valuable integrated STEAM experiences within the classroom.
In partnership with TinkRworks and APS Training Institute, this implementation of leading-edge STEAM curriculum will allow underserved youth to develop and hone core 21st century skillsets and develop the knowledge, values, attitudes, and skills essential for the unique challenges of the 21st century and beyond.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This action will have a positive impact on the City's community development efforts and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval of the proposed Resolution authorizing Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment 2020-#3 to reflect a change in use for Project CDBG-2020-10 from an economic development to a public service activity focusing on youth education and approval of an update to the City’s 2020 Annual Action Plan. Staff also requests authorization for the City's Mayor, Chief Community Services Officer, Community Development Manager, or their designees to execute any contracts as well as any other documents associated with Substantial Amendment 2020-#3 including but not limited to HUD's program administration requirements.
cc: Alderman Emmanuel Llamas
Alderman Juany Garza
Alderman Theodoros “Ted” Mesiacos
Alderman Bill Donnell
Alderman Carl Franco
Alderman Michael B. Saville
Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns
Alderman Patty Smith
Alderman Edward Bugg
Alderman Judd Lofchie
Alderman Robert O’Connor
Alderman Sherman L. Jenkins
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution authorizing Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment 2020-#3 to modify Project CDBG-2020-10 - 605 District to convert the activity from an economic development activity to a public service activity focusing on youth education in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
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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, Substantial Amendment 2020-#3 will define priorities for community development funding and define obligations to inform the public on the proposed changes; and
WHEREAS, CDBG funding will be available in the 2020 City Budget CDBG program account (221-1330-801-43-series); and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, finds as facts all of the preamble recitals of this Resolution and hereby approves a resolution authorizing approval of the Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment (2020-#3) to modify Project CDBG-2020-10 - 605 Innovation to convert the activity from an economic development activity to a public service activity focusing on youth education in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, update 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan priority needs; and authorizes the City's Mayor, Chief Community Services Officer, Community Development Manager, or their designees to execute any contracts as well as any other documents associated with these approvals, including but not limited to HUD's program administration requirements.