HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 7/14/2020 - Memorandum From Beth Sowder Re: Costs Related To Temporary Shelter At Northside Aztlan Community Center And Old Heritage ParkSocial Sustainability
222 Laporte Avenue
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6758
MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 7, 2020
TO: Mayor Troxell and City Councilmembers
THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Kelly DiMartino, Deputy City Manager
Jacqueline Kozak-Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer
FROM: Beth Sowder, Social Sustainability Department Director
RE: Costs Related to Temporary Shelter at Northside Aztlan Community
Center and Old Heritage Park
Purpose
The purpose of this memo is to provide Council with the information requested at the
June 23, 2020 Council meeting regarding costs expended (City and non-city) at both
Northside Aztlan Community Center (NACC) and Old Heritage Park as well as for the
Non-congregate Shelter Program currently being set up.
Bottom Line
Monthly costs for each operation are as follows:
Site /
Program
Monthly
Cost (Total)
Monthly
Cost (City)*
Notes
NACC $276,000 $17,500 3 months total (March 19–June 19)
Old Heritage
Park
$64,426 $64,426 Temporary outdoor shelter was
operated for less than one month (April
10-29)
Non-
congregate
Shelter
$106,500 -
$207,000
$106,500 -
$207,000
Total cost not to exceed $420,000;
anticipate months 1 and 3 will be
$106,500 with month 2 at $207,000
*All City-expended funds will likely be reimbursed by federal relief dollars.
Background
The City worked with community partners including Homeward Alliance, Homeward
2020, Catholic Charities, Fort Collins Rescue Mission, Health District of Northern
Larimer County, and SummitStone Health Partners to swiftly establish a temporary
indoor centralized congregate shelter on March 19, 2020 at the City-owned Northside
Aztlan Community Center (NACC). The NACC had just closed due to the COVID-19
pandemic, and this larger facility provided the space needed for shelters to keep people
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safe and slow the spread of COVID-19. This temporary indoor shelter closed on June
19, 2020 in order to transition the NACC back to recreation programs and summer
daycare/camps to begin in mid-July.
Additionally, a temporary outdoor shelter area was created during the Stay-at-Home
Order. It opened on April 10 and ended April 29.
Costs
Funding for the inside shelter at NACC was largely supported by the community
partners involved (agencies and donated funds), and it is expected that most of the City-
expended portion will be reimbursable from FEMA.
Northside Aztlan Community Center (NACC)
The funding for this site broken down by month was (includes in-kind support):
Partner costs (food, staffing, supplies) $128,500
Partner costs (security) $ 56,500
Partner costs (health screenings – in-kind) $ 73,500
City costs (custodial) $ 12,000
City costs (utilities and general maintenance) $ 5,500
Total monthly costs $276,000
In addition to this, there was City staff time dedicated to overall coordination and
support.
Old Heritage Park
On April 10, 2020, the City designated a temporary outdoor shelter area at the Old
Heritage Park adjacent to the NACC. This temporary shelter area was a short-term
option for people to stay during the Governor’s stay-at-home order. This area was
closed as a temporary shelter area on April 29, 2020 after the governor’s stay-at-home
order was changed. During this time, Police Services provided officers 24/7 to monitor
the area and ensure a safe place for people. Additionally, port-a-potties, hand sanitizer
and/or washing stations, and dumpsters were provided. The total costs were:
Police Services (722 hours logged) $55,208
Parks (port-a-potties, dumpsters) $ 9,218
As mentioned above, these funds are expected to be reimbursable from FEMA.
Non-congregate Shelter Program
As a reminder, a non-congregate shelter program is being encouraged to help limit
exposure of COVID-19 for people experiencing homelessness who are at highest risk
for dire consequences or death should they contract it (over age 65 or with certain
underlying health conditions). City staff is finalizing the necessary procurement process
to secure an operator, hotel, and security for this program. By using a competitive
procurement process, the City increases the chances for reimbursement. This is also
why the City applied for and was given pre-approval for this type of program from the
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State Department of Local Affairs. Once all of that is final, a more detailed memo will be
provided with the final budget as well as other information requested.
The anticipated budget for this program is:
City Council approved a total of $420,000 to run the program for approximately three
months:
50% hotel rooms (per night room cost, cleaning, incidentals)
30% operations and oversight (food and logistics included)
20% security
The program will scale up during the first month, so staff expects to expend
approximately $106,500 during the first month. The second month is expected to be the
highest utilization rate with $207,000 expended. The third month is expected to be
scaling down with $106,500 expended. FEMA and the State are aware that a
resurgence of COVID-19 is possible and are anticipating the need for possible
extensions due to this. This program could be extended if needed.
Next Steps
1. Non-congregate Shelter Program Update – staff will provide an update memo
once the program is running and budget finalized. Additional requested
information will be provided.
2. Staff actively working on an alternative site for congregate shelter for the coming
months.
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