13 - Texas Community Development Block Grant Program Application for Fire-Ambulance and Services Truck - FAST FUNDItem No. 13
TO: Mayor & City Council
Grayson Path, City Manager
FROM: Carla Easton, PE, Engineering & Community Development Director
Thomas McMonigle, Interim Fire Chief
SUBJECT: TxCDBG - FAST GRANT APPLICATION
DATE: August 24, 2020
BACKGROUND: The City is eligible to apply for grant opportunities from the Texas Department
of Agriculture Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) FAST Program, which provides
funds for the purchase of fire and ambulance service vehicles. The Fire Department is in need of
a Pumper Truck at Station 3 on the West Side of town, which is estimated to cost $771,500. The
FAST Grant would contribute $500,000 to the purchase of this new equipment. The existing truck
is a 2012; ideal rotation is every ten years. The lead time for construction of a new truck is
approximately 12 months, therefore the timing to start this process is very ideal.
STATUS OF ISSUE: State regulations require that the Council pass a resolution authorizing the
city's application for grant funds. The grant amount is $500,000 to be used toward the purchase
of a new fire engine and equipment, and the city match of $286,500 would cover the total cost of
the pumper truck and grant administrator fees.
BUDGET: Funding is provided by both the grant and the city's match. At this point, the Proposed
FY20/21 Budget does not incorporate the match requirement as this is a highly competitive grant
to pursue. However, it is the City Manager's recommendation that if the grant were to be awarded,
the City Council can then at that time make a decision to pursue the grant and finance the City's
portion. Financing for fire trucks can extend to upwards of 10 years. If this were to become a
reality, the City could attempt to utilize existing budgeted funds in the Fire Department
(repurposing if necessary), use the City's built in contingency, or pull from reserve for the first
year (budgeting the subsequent payments in subsequent years). In addition, depending on the
timing, it might be an option to hold off the first payment until the following fiscal year. Given
the uncertainty of these types of competitive grants, the City Manager felt it best to not lock in the
match amount (given it can be financed), but given it can be financed, if the City is fortunate
enough to receive $500,000.00 in grant, we identify the funding available at that time.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve a resolution authorizing the grant application.
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PARIS, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING
THE SUBMISSION OF A TEXAS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE FOR THE FIRE, AMBULANCE AND SERVICES TRUCK (FAST)
FUND; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACT AS THE CITY'S
EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN ALL
MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE CITY'S PARTICIPATION IN THE TEXAS
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, the City Council of Paris, Texas desires to develop a viable community,
including decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic
opportunities, principally for persons of low -to moderate income; and
WHEREAS, certain conditions exist which represent a threat to the public health and
safety; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary and in the best interests of the City of Paris to apply for
funding under the Texas Community Development Block Grant Program;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PARIS, TEXAS:
Section 1. That a Texas Community Development Block Grant Program application
for the Fire, Ambulance and Services Truck (FAST) Fund is hereby authorized to be filed on
behalf of the City with the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Section 2. That the City's application be placed in competition for funding under the
Fire, Ambulance and Services Truck (FAST) Fund.
Section 3. That the application be for $500,000.00 of grant funds to provide a new
fire engine/pumper.
Section 4. That the City Council directs and designates the City Manager as the City's
Chief Executive Officer and Authorized Representative to act in all matters in connection
with this application and the City's participation in the Texas Community Development
Block Grant Program.
Section 5. That all funds will be used in accordance with all applicable federal, state,
local and programmatic requirements including but not limited to procurement,
environmental review, labor standards, real property acquisition, and civil rights
requirements.
Section 6. That it further be stated that the City of Paris is committing
$286,500.00.00 from its General Fund as a cash contribution toward the administration
and/or construction activities of this new fire engine/pumper project.
Passed and approved this 24th day of August, 2020.
Steven J. Clifford, M.D., Mayor
ATTEST:
Janice Ellis, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Stephanie H. Harris, City Attorney