AgdaPkt 2021.02.22 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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8.A. - Page 6 of 42 With a deficit of $7.5 million projected for Fiscal Year 2021-22, staff recommends reserving $7.5 million of the FY 2019-20 operating balance to sustain City operations. In addition, approximately $4.6 million is proposed for reallocation to one-time expenditures in Fiscal Years 2020-21 and 2021-22. These proposed reinvestments are prioritized for responding to the impacts of the pandemic, reimagining City programs and services for greater equity and efficiencies, and fueling the community's recovery and revitalization: • Fire Department staffing to support COVID-19 vaccination support and: $800,000 Fire Department employees are being deployed to provide community COVID-19 vaccinations as part of the coordinated San Mateo County response to the pandemic. These funds will ensure this essential work proceeds without delay and fire services remain fully staffed for the current year. The Fire Department has identified $500,000 in operational savings for FY 2020-21, and consideration of adjustments to service models will continue in FY 2021-22 as the City continues work to reimagine services. Increased funding for homelessness services, healthy streets and parking enforcement: $800,000 The infusion of these additional funds into the Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget, together with an additional $650,000 anticipated in Fiscal Year 2021-22, the $400,000 from FY 2019-20, and the current FY 2020-21 budget of $650,000, would bring the City's total commitment to homelessness services and addressing community impacts associated with homelessness to $2.5 million overthree years. This is in addition to funding previously allocated to the Safe RV Parking Pilot Program and to the Downtown Streets Program. One-time forgiveness program for disadvantaged utility customers: $750,000 Since the pandemic started, Redwood City has waived penalties and interest, and ceased service shut -offs, for customers with accounts in arrears. While providing temporary economic relief, this practice has resulted in scores of customers now owing over $2 million in unpaid bills. These funds would enable a one-time subsidy of a portion of overdue bills for customers who demonstrate financial need and commit to a payment plan to return their accounts back to zero. • Citywide indirect pandemic costs: $525,000 Program delays caused by the pandemic have resulted in increased costs to internal service initiatives currently underway. These funds will enable the City to complete technology upgrades designed to enhance organizational productivity. • Small business support: $450,000 The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative recently committed approximately $400,000 in grants to Redwood City restaurants, breweries and wineries that have suffered from the pandemic. The proposed funding would allow the City to add to that grant funding to significantly expand the range of small businesses receiving assistance to survive the pandemic, and increase funding for other forms of small business support. Staff will return with specific recommendations for use of these funds. Improved communications and data analysis: $400,000 Funds are requested to increase communications related to the City's COVID-19 activities and to support efforts to reimagine City services. This includes data analysis to assess and describe current services and community engagement related to new service approaches. Additionally, funds may be used to ensure effective outreach to vulnerable community members. Page 6 of 28 City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.org 537