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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Natalie E. Wiza, Emergency Management Coordinator
DATE: May 10, 2021
SUBJECT:
A Resolution approving an agreement between the City of Aurora and Public Action to Deliver Shelter, Inc., doing business as Hesed House, for eligible COVID-19 related-expenses.
PURPOSE:
To assist Hesed House in the request of reimbursable funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance Funding under the declared disaster FEMA-4489-DR-IL and to administer grant funds on behalf of Hesed House for their approved reimbursable costs. This resolution is contingent on the acceptance of Hesed House's justification letter by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency and will also authorize any subsequent agreement necessary to ensure the appropriate disbursement of reimbursable funding to Hesed House for related eligible expenses.
BACKGROUND:
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic it was necessary to safely house their guests during the COVID-19/coronavirus health emergency off-site at a hotel. The off-site housing allowed for more space for guests while the property was under construction making way for a new shelter space, ensured social distancing measures were in place while still providing care and services to their population, and provided more room for caring for COVID+ guests on-site at the Hesed House property. As a direct result of maintaining an essential community service under the public health emergency, Hesed House incurred additional costs directly related to the non-congregate sheltering of their targeted population. Hesed House is seeking FEMA Public Assistance funding as outlined in the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide, Category B - Emergency Protective Measure. Non-congregate sheltering for Hesed House was and is the best available option for meeting the urgent public health needs of COVID-19 and to protect health and safety of their guests and operations.
DISCUSSION:
Subject to City Council approval, the City has agreed to accept FEMA grant funding and administer and disburse the funds to Hesed House in accordance with the provisions of this resolution and grant agreement. The distribution of funds to Hesed House will not incur any cost to the City of Aurora. The City of Aurora is acting as a passthrough and distributor of the exact dollar amount awarded from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Approval of this resolution will allow Hesed House to recover lost funds as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency and will allow Hesed House continuation of an essential community service without loss or interruption of services.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that the proposed resolution be adopted.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution approving an agreement between The City of Aurora and Public Action to Deliver Shelter, Inc., doing business as Hesed House, for eligible COVID-19 related-expenses through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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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, Public Action to Deliver Shelter, Inc., doing business as Hesed House, ("Hesed House") operates the second largest homeless shelter in the State of Illinois and the only facility of its liking in the Western suburbs; and
WHEREAS, those in need of Hesed House's services come from many locations in Chicagoland area, including DuPage, Kane, Will and Kendall County; and statements as needed, and
WHEREAS, Hesed House has applied for FEMA Reimbursement for Non-Congregate Sheltering Disaster: DR-44889-IL to cover the sheltering of some individuals; and
WHEREAS, the City has agreed to accept the FEMA Public Assistance Non-Congregate Sheltering funding associated with disaster DR-44889-IL from the State and Federal Government and agree to administer and disburse the funds to Hesed House in accordance with the provisions of a future grant agreement and the letter attached to this resolution as Exhibit A ("Letter for Reimbursement") and the Robert T. Stafford Act; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Letter for Reimbursement attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A shall be and hereby is approved; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Emergency Management Coordinator shall be, and hereby is, authorized and directed to execute the Letter for Reimbursement and any additional documentation on behalf of the City in substantially the same form as attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor shall be, and hereby is, authorized to execute on behalf of the City any agreement between the City and Hesed House reasonably necessary to disburse the FEMA Public Assistance Non-Congregate Sheltering funding associated with disaster DR-44889-IL to Hesed House for its COVID-19 related non-congregate sheltering expenses and to account for their use in the manner contemplated by the Agreement and authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Act; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Treasurer shall be, and hereby is, authorized and directed to disburse the FEMA Public Assistance Non-Congregate Sheltering funding associated with disaster DR-44889-IL to Hesed House in accordance with the Reimbursement Agreement and any agreement between the City and Hesed House contemplated by this Resolution or reasonably required to carry its purposes into execution.