Title
Discussion of Funding the Operation of the One Stop Homeless Assistance Center (B)
This item involves a discussion regarding the current and future funding sources and needs to operate the One Stop Homeless Assistance Center provided by the City of Gainesville and Alachua County.
Explanation
The establishment of a One Stop Homeless Assistance Center is a major goal within the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness. The City of Gainesville and the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners have committed to provide technical and financial resources to end homelessness in the City of Gainesville and Alachua County.
The City of Gainesville is proposing to invest 4.1 million dollars into the development of the One Stop Homeless Assistance Center. This includes land acquisition, building design, development approvals and construction of the Center. The City has committed and budgeted to fund 50% of the service center operational costs. A petition for the Center's Design Plat was approved by the City Commission on July 19, 2010. The final ranking of the design build firm was approved by the City Commission on August 19, 2010. The Center's Planned Development ordinance is anticipated to be heard for first reading on October 7, 2010.
The next step in this process is planning for the Operational Phase of the Center. The plan is for the Office on Homelessness (OOH) to work with the Grace Marketplace Providers to ensure their commitment to the Center. To add residential services in the future, additional funds will be needed. Operational costs of the residential component of the One Stop Center are anticipated to be provided through sublease to a non-profit organization operating the One Stop and/or grant funds. OOH has agreed to work with the City, County and local non-profit organizations to identify, research and submit grant applications for funding of the residential services portion of the Center.
Based on the proposed construction schedule, operational funds will be needed for FY 2010/2011. Given that timeframe, City staff has been working with County staff to confirm the County's commitment to provide operational funds for the Center. A firm commitment of financial resources must be in place, however, to execute an agreement for the operation of the Center.
As such, the City of Gainesville is proposing to commit $154,000 for operations, including Social Services and Management Services, of the Center. The City Manager's Proposed 2010/2011 budget will reaffirm this commitment. To confirm the County's commitment, on April 19, 2010, Assistant City Manager Fred Murry sent a letter on behalf of the City of Gainesville to County Manager Randy Reid requesting that Alachua County confirm its future financial commitment for the operation of the Center. The County Commission responded to the Mayor indicating that for various reasons, the County could not confirm any future financial commitment for the operation of the Center beyond the Clark Butler donation.
According to City Commission and County Commission meeting records, both the City and County previously proposed to share in the cost of the development and operations of the Center. In accordance with these meeting records, it appears that the County committed $88,000, plus an additional $140,000 for the operation of Center for one year [Note: $100,000 of this total was derived from a donation from Clark Butler]. The City has proceeded with the acquisition of land and planning for operation of the One Stop based on the long held understanding that Alachua County would pay 50% of the operational costs of the service center. At this time, the County has not provided a firm commitment to provide FY 11 funding and beyond to share in the cost of the development and operation of the Center.
As a result, at the July 1, 2010 City Commission meeting, the City Commission discussed the current and future funding sources given the uncertainty of the funding commitment from the County regarding funding the development and operation of the Center. At the July 1, 2010 City Commission meeting, the City Commission: 1) authorized the Mayor to write a letter concerning the City's partnership with the County regarding the One Stop Homeless Center; 2) directed staff to meet with County staff regarding renewing the interlocal agreement regarding this issue; and 3) place this item on the next Joint City/County Meeting agenda. For reference, attached is a copy of the Mayor's letter concerning the City and County partnership regarding the One Stop Homeless Center.
Further, at the April 29, 2010 Joint City/County Commission Special Meeting, the City and County Commissions discussed the need to create a Governing Board for the One Stop Center. The concept of the Governing Board included the board composition, duties and responsibilities and to define the relationship of the board with the Office of Homelessness and the Implementation Committee. As a result, the OOH, City Staff and County Staff have included a draft outline of the Governing Board for City and County Commission review and discussion. The City and County Commission must decide to continue the discussion on the Governing Board, determine the level of involvement of the City and County for the One Stop Center and provide direction to City and County staff as appropriate.
Fiscal Note
None
Recommendation
The City Commission and the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners: 1) discuss the current and future funding sources and needs to confirm the City and County financial commitment for the operation of the One Stop Homeless Assistance Center; 2) discuss the draft outline of the composition and responsibilities/duties of the Governing Board for the One Stop Homeless Assistance Center; and 3) provide direction to City and County staff as appropriate.