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Council to Consider More Funding For ‘Great Plates’ Meals Program, Against Backdrop of Shrinking Reserves

Published on Monday, October 5, 2020 | 5:05 am
 

The Pasadena City Council faces a decision Monday on whether to appropriate more than $905,000 to continue funding the pandemic-prompted “Great Plates Delivered” program, which provides three meals a day, prepared by local restaurants, to seniors who are at risk and unable to access meals during Safer at Home restrictions.

The statewide program was launched by Gov. Gavin Newsom in April with the dual goal of helping seniors in need, as well as throwing desperately needed business to local restaurants crunched economically by the pandemic.

Currently, 22 Pasadena restaurants are participating in the program, and they are serving 235 local seniors.

The program is administered by the California Office of Emergency Services but requires a local agency to pay upfront costs – in Pasadena’s case, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, with money OK’d by the council.

The council has already appropriated funds twice for the program: $600,000 in May and $361,000 in July.

The city is eligible for reimbursement of up to 93.75 percent of the costs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state, combined — but that is not guaranteed.

And — with Pasadena facing major economic hurdles because of the pandemic, including an expected plunge in sales-taxes revenues — that’s where Monday’s council discussion on the Great Plates matter could get interesting.

A report from Brenda E. Harvey-Williams, director of the city’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services department, recommends the council appropriate $905,106 from the city’s general fund to continue financing Great Plates – but also includes several cautions for councilmembers to consider.

“While (reimbursement) remains the expectation, there is no guarantee and no particular reimbursement timeline has been provided,’’ the report says. “Historically, reimbursements for localized disasters have sometimes taken years to receive. Given the nationwide impact of COVID-19, it is not possible to accurately determine whether the city will, in fact, receive reimbursement or estimate how long it will take.’’

Harvey-Williams’ report also sheds light on some of the city’s bigger budget dilemmas in the COVID era.

“As discussed recently with the council Finance Committee, the city has exhausted the General Fund unassigned fund balance and is projected to draw down its 5 percent General Fund Operating Reserve from $13.8 million to $1.7 million by the end of the current fiscal year,’’ the report says.

“As part of that (Finance Committee) presentation, based on current economic uncertainties and risks faced by the city, staff recommended that any further draws on reserves be only for the most critical needs as determined by the council.’’

In addition to recommending the council appropriate the $905,106, Harvey-Williams’ report asks the council to “provide direction to city staff regarding continued participation in the Great Plates Delivered program if it is extended by the state beyond the current end date of Oct. 9, 2020, at a cost of $466,000 per month.’’

According to the report, “FEMA authorizes funding for the program on a month-to-month basis and has announced reauthorizations at or on the expiration date (generally the ninth of the month). For this reason, it is impossible for local agencies to determine how long the program will operate.’

If Pasadena gets full reimbursement, the city would bear only 6.25 percent of the program’s total costs – with FEMA covering 75 percent and the state picking up 18.75 percent.

In all, the program costs Pasadena $466,000 per month, including food and delivery costs for three meals per day for the 235 participating seniors. The state limit per participant per day is $66, including food and delivery costs.

If the council approves the new $905,106 expenditure on Monday, the city will have spent about $1,866,200 in total for the program.

Paul Little, CEO of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, said back in May, when the council OK’d its first Great Plates appropriation, that it is money well spent. He said the city needs to help local restaurant owners survive the COVID crisis.

Councilmember Andy Wilson, meantime, indicated at the time that Great Plates is a win-win proposition.

“Our restaurants need to get back online, and certainly there are some benefits for our seniors,” Wilson said.

Seniors eligible for the program must be 65 or older, or 60-64 but at high risk as defined by the federal Centers for Disease Control. The latter category includes those who are COVID-19 positive, have been exposed to the virus or have an underlying condition.

In addition, those eligible must be living alone or with one other program-eligible adult; must not be currently receiving assistance from other state or federal nutrition assistance programs such as CalFresh or Meals on Wheels; must have a household income for one person not exceeding $74,940, or $101,460 for a household of two; and must affirm an inability to prepare or obtain meals.

Monday’s council meeting starts at 2 p.m. and will be conducted by teleconference. Live streaming is available at www.pasadenamedia.org and at www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/agendas.

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