Label
ARPA Funds - TLCHD
Economic Development
Sandy Spang (x1614)
Title
Authorizing the appropriation and expenditure of $350,000 from the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund for a Healthy Food Small Market Grant Pilot Program; authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Toledo Lucas County Health Department for said purpose; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
The City of Toledo is the recipient of $180.9 million through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to be used to address the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Toledo Recovery Plan framework (authorized by Ordinance 530-21) includes $ million for investments in healthy food initiatives. This ordinance allows for the appropriation and expenditure of $350,000 for a pilot program to expand healthy food access through small, independent neighborhood markets, to meet the needs of City of Toledo residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This ARPA funded program would be administered by subrecipient Toledo Lucas County Health Department (TLCHD). These subrecipient funds will be utilized to expand healthy food options sold in independently owned, licensed Retail Food Establishments (RFEs), of less than 5,000 square feet in building size, known as convenience stores or corner markets.
Awardee RFEs will be selected by TLCHD from applicants responding to a Notice of Funding Availability. Successful applicants will be located in both a low income and low food access census tract. Only independent owners may participate, chains and franchises are excluded. TLCHD will provide participants with use of appropriate equipment and displays to store and sell approved, healthy, refrigerated and frozen foods and fresh produce. The initial cost of stock and one-half of the cost of reorders will be subsidized up to $10,000 per participant, in order to establish the market as a neighborhood source of healthy food and a viable business model for the operator. The goal of this program is to create sustainable sources of healthy food in underserved neighborhoods as participants continue to stock approved foods beyond the subsidized period. TLCHD will provide monitoring of compliance as well as connect the participating business owners to entrepreneurial support providers and resources in the community to support their success.
Summary
NOW, THEREFORE, Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the appropriation of $350,000 is authorized from the unappropriated balance of the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to Account Code 2021-16400-5HEALTHFD2NEI for a Healthy Food Small Market Grant Pilot Program and further authorizing the expenditure of same.
SECTION 2. That the Mayor is authorized to enter into an agreement with Toledo Lucas County Health Department for the purposes authorized in Section 1 upon terms and conditions consistent with American Rescue Plan Act regulations and otherwise applicable to the Director of Law.
SECTION 3. That the Finance Director is authorized to draw warrant or warrants against the above Account Code in an amount not to exceed $350,000 in payment of the above-authorized obligations upon presentation of the proper voucher or vouchers.
SECTION 4. That this Ordinance, being an emergency measure, shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that the Ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and property and for the further reason that this Ordinance must be immediately effective in order to timely provide funding for behavioral health needs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas 12, nays 0.
Passed: May 16, 2023, as an emergency measure: yeas 12, nays 0.
Attest:
Gerald E. Dendinger Matt Cherry
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: May 16, 2023
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor