cover
TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Chris Ragona, Community Development Manager
Community Development Division
DATE: December 13, 2021
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the execution of a grant agreement with APS Training Institute, Inc. in the amount of $50,000 for a STEAM Training Program.
PURPOSE:
To authorize the execution of a grant agreement with APS Training Institute, Inc. consistent with the allocation of CDBG-CV funds per R21-229 for such purpose.
BACKGROUND:
On August 24, 2021, the City Council approved Substantial Amendment 2021-#2 which allocated a $50,000 CDBG-CV grant award to the APS Training Academy for its STEAM Program (Attachment 2).
As part of its grant review process, the City requires its local and HUD funded applicants to disclose any potential conflicts of interest. At the time of application, prospective grantees are required disclose whether funds will be used to award a subcontract to any individual(s) or business affiliate(s) who currently is or has/have been within one year of the date of the application a City employee or consultant, or a member of the City Council, a City Advisory Board and/or a City Commission. Additionally, applicants are required to disclose whether any member(s) of the applicant's staff or member(s) of the applicant's Board of Directors or other governing body who are business partners or family member of a City employee, consultant, a member of the City Council, a City Advisory Board and/or a City Commission.
After the City Council's approval of the CDBG-CV funds for the APS Steam Training Program (Project # CDBG-CV-2020-13) via Resolution 21-229, staff learned that two City officers are uncompensated members of APS's board.
DISCUSSION:
Though neither officer participated in the decision to award the grant to APS, staff recognized the appearance of a conflict of interest, and for that reason request that the City Council specifically authorize the award of grant funds consistent with the allocation approved by R21-229
IMPACT STATEMENT:
N/A
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Council approve this Resolution.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution authorizing a grant agreement with APS Training Institute, Inc. in the amount of $50,000 for a STEAM Training Program.
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, APS Training Institute, Inc. (APS) is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation with Section 501 (c)(3) status organized for the purpose of providing educational and vocational training opportunities focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics ("STEAM") for persons in vulnerable communities; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution R21-229, the City Council previously approved the allocation of $50,000 in Community Development Block Grant - Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funding for the APS STEAM Training Funding Project; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that that the allocation of CDBG-CV funding as set forth in Resolution R21-229 is appropriate; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the APS Training Academy's should be awarded CDBG-CV funding in the amount of $50,000 in accordance with the City's defined priorities for its CDBG-CV funding as established via Substantial Amendment 2021-#2; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that CDBG-CV funding is available in the 2021 CDBG-CV program account (214-1330-801-46 series) for APS Steam Training Project (Project #CDBG-CV-2020-13.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that a grant agreement with APS Training Institute, Inc. in the amount of $50,000 for a STEAM Training Program as previously contemplated by Resolution R21-229 shall be and hereby is authorized for execution; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor, Finance Director, Purchasing Director, Chief of Community Services, Community Development Manager and each of their respective designees shall be and hereby are authorized to perform the City’s duties set forth therein described.