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RTC#02-502

December 17, 2002

SUBJECT:

Request to Amend the 2002-2003 Action Plan to increase Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the Senior Nutrition Program and Budget Modification No. 19

REPORT IN BRIEF

The Senior Nutrition Program funds the First United Methodist Church of Sunnyvale, a well-established local non-profit agency that has been providing mid-day, hot meals in a social congregate setting five days a week for persons age 60+ and their spouses. The Senior Nutrition Program is seeking additional funds in the amount of $4,900 to fill a gap in its transportation budget for FY 2002/2003. The requested funding increase is needed to support the rising transportation costs while meeting senior transportation service needs. Funds are available from unexpended CDBG monies from FY 2001/2002 public service activities.

BACKGROUND

The Sunnyvale Senior Nutrition Program currently receives funding in the amount of $18,842 from the City’s CDBG fund to provide nutrition services. First United Methodist Church of Sunnyvale operates the Program through a subcontract with the County of Santa Clara in accordance with the guidelines of the State Department of Aging and with the approval of the Department of Social Services dietician. It has been shown through national studies that malnutrition is a major problem throughout the older adult population, as is loneliness and isolation. The Sunnyvale Senior Nutrition Program addresses the nutrition, socialization and transportation needs of elders, especially those of low income and minority participants, and those with handicapped conditions. The Senior Nutrition Program provides other supportive services, including van transportation services for those unable to get to the Program because of lack of mobility, or physical or mental conditions.

EXISTING POLICY

Socio-Economic Sub-Element:

POLICY 5.1.H.3: Encourage the provision of services for older adults in Sunnyvale.

GOAL 5.1h. Identify pressing health and social needs of the Sunnyvale community, encouraging appropriate agencies to address these needs in an adequate and timely manner.

DISCUSSION

In FY 2001/2002, the Senior Nutrition Program exceeded its annual goal of serving meals to 108 seniors by providing hot meals to 315 Sunnyvale seniors.  The agency continues to provide transportation for the mobility impaired. The Senior Nutrition Program pays for all of the van operating expenses such as fuel maintenance, insurance and DMV fees. However, the transportation budget provided in the County contract is not sufficient to cover the total expenses for the 4,500 rides that are provided annually. The agency expects that these expenses will continue to increase and exceed the current funding available for transportation. The agency has identified a need to increase their 2002-/2003 transportation budget by $34,0900 and has asked for additional CDBG funding from the City. The additional funds will provide $4.08 per one way ride for 1,200 rides to and from the Senior Nutrition Program.

On December 11, 2001, City Council approved reallocations guidelines which provide for the transfer or reallocation of funds from one project to another. Under Section II funds transfer process (it states):

During the program year, the Housing Officer, the Director of Community Development, or the City Manager may see a need to transfer funds from one project to another. The procedure for such transfers is as follows:

For Fund transfers not deemed Substantial under I.C.1; A staff report and/or Budget Modification will be prepared and submitted to the City Manager. Reallocations of funds require approval of City Council. The Housing Officer will notify HUD of all reallocations.

Please note that substantial amendment is one that includes an increase or decrease in the original allocation mix greater than 15% of the total grant.

The reasoning behind the flexibility of awarding out small sums of additional funds was to have the ability to transfer funds from a prior year that have not been spent out and have it utilized as quickly as possible by an agency with a specific need. (see attached Reallocation Guidelines)

To insure that the seniors are transported to the site where they receive their hot lunches and can socialize with other seniors. Staff is recommending that Council approve Budget Modification No. 19 and increase the appropriation to this program by $4,900. This will increase the FY 2002/2003 project budget for the Senior Nutrition Program from $18,842 to $23,742.

FISCAL IMPACT

The requested funding increase will reallocate funds that were disencumbered from the unexpended FY 2001/2002 CDBG funds budgeted for the Support Network for Battered Women.

This budget modification will have no impact on other agency funding or CDBG activities. This will not impact other CDBG programs or the maximum spending limit attached to the outside group-funding category, which is a maximum of 15% of the CDBG grant plus prior year program income.

BUDGET MODIFICATION NO. 19

FISCAL YEAR 2002/2003

 

Current

  

Increase(Decrease)

  

Revised

Community Development

Block Grant Fund

Expenditures:

          

First United Methodist Church-Sunnyvale Project 811350 –

Senior Nutrition Program

$ 18,842

  

$ 4,900

  

$ 23,742

Reserves:

          

Project 800850 -

Support Network for Battered Women Unprogrammed Activity Funds

 

 

 $28,900

 

*

 

($ 4,900)

  

 

$24,000

* The FY2002/2003 budget includes $4,900 of unprogrammed funds carried over from FY2001/2002.

PUBLIC CONTACT

The request for additional funding from the Sr. Nutrition Program, for the use of providing transportation to and from the program site, was reviewed and approved by the Housing and Human Services Commission at its meeting on September 25, 2002.

Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City’s web page, and the availability of the report in the Library and the City Clerk’s Office.

ALTERNATIVES

1. Approve Budget Modification Number No. 19 and increase FY 2002/2003 funding for the Senior Nutrition Program, from $18,842 to $23,742 to meet the transportation service needs of Sunnyvale senior residents.

2. Do not approve Budget Modification Number No. 19 and the request for funding increase for the Senior Nutrition.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends Alternative 1- Approve Budget Modification No. 19 and increase FY 2002/2003 funding the Senior Nutrition Program, from $18,842 to $23,742 to meet the transportation service needs of Sunnyvale senior residents.  
Prepared by:
Katrina L. Ardina
Housing Programs Analyst
Reviewed by:
Annabel Yurutucu
Housing Officer

Robert Paternoster
Director, Community Development

Mary J. Bradley
Director of Finance
Approved by:
Robert S. LaSala
City Manager

 

Attachments
  1. Reallocation Guidelines approved by Council on December 11, 2001. The guidelines provide for the transfer or reallocation of funds from one project to another.

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