Item Description:
title
Award funding for Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants Lifeguard Services 2023
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners selects eleven lifeguard services projects to receive grant funding totaling $990,000 for the Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants program for a three-year contract period, as follows:
• PR00005319 with the Minneapolis Public Schools SSD 1, not to exceed $129,159
• PR00005317 with Robbinsdale Schools ISD 281, not to exceed $81,000
• PR00005313 with Hopkins Schools ISD 270, not to exceed $111,345
• PR00005314 with the City of Richfield, not to exceed $109,121
• PR00005315 with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, not to exceed $111,375
• PR00005316 with the City of Brooklyn Center, not to exceed $82,500
• PR00005318 with Three Rivers Park District, not to exceed $82,500
• PR00005343 with City of Bloomington, not to exceed $82,500
• PR00005344 with City of Eden Prairie, not to exceed $80,500
• PR00005345 with City of St. Louis Park, not to exceed $82,500
• PR00005346 with City of Maple Grove, not to exceed $37,500
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, pursuant to Minnesota Statute § 473.757, subd. 2, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners re-authorizes the award of available ballpark sales tax dollars to fund youth activities and youth sports through the Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants program;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that following review and approval by the County Attorney's Office, the Purchasing Director be authorized to sign all agreements awarded funds pursuant to Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Purchasing Director be authorized to approve amendments to agreements awarded funds pursuant to Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants in order to extend their term;
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Background:
The Hennepin County Ballpark Initiative provided equal amounts of excess sales tax proceeds to expand library hours and youth activities. Resolution 09-0320R3 established the Hennepin Youth Sports Program (HYSP) to use ballpark sales tax funds for youth sports activities. In 2021, the County Board adopted Resolution 21-0337, expanding the program to permit grant funding for lifeguard services in response to a shortage of available lifeguards in Hennepin County. In 2023, Resolution 23-0153 renamed the grant program to Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants.
A Request for Applications (RFA) for the pilot grant cycle of lifeguard services was released in February 2023. Applications were accepted through April 14, 2023 and returned 11 applications. A Hennepin County review panel with representatives from Public Health, Purchasing and Contract Services, and Educational Support Services evaluated the applications, with subject matter expertise provided by the Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol Unit. All applications received adjectival summary scores demonstrating probability of success from the review panel. As a result, all applicants are being put forward for grant award, totaling $990,000.
Current Request:
Eleven lifeguard service grant proposals are recommended for funding totaling $990,000, as further outlined in this resolution.
This board action will also re-authorize the award of ballpark sales tax dollars for future grant cycles.
Impact/Outcome:
Funding will provide needed resources to local government units across Hennepin County to cover the costs of recruiting, hiring, training, and retaining youth lifeguards in the midst of a current lifeguard shortage. This pilot will inform future grant funding decisions regarding lifeguard services.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval