16 - Grant Application & Administrative Services with Grand Works for TxCDBG Main Street ProgramItem No. 16
TO: Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and City Council
Grayson Path, City Manager
FROM: Andrew Mack, AICP Director Planning & Community Development
SUBJECT: Approve a resolution awarding the City of Paris Grant Application &
Administrative Services with Grant Works, Inc. for 2022-2023 TX CDBG Main
Street Program.
MTG. DATE: May 23, 2022
BACKGROUND
The Community Development Main Street Department proposes to re -apply for the TX CDBG Main Street
Grant again for 1st St. SE improvements between Lamar and Kaufman. The City applied for the grant last
year, but was unsuccessful in receiving a project award. This was largely as a result of not having the
previous grant project completed and closed out on Main Street between the square and court house which
was completed last summer after the grant application deadline. This year's opening for grant funding
provides for a total project scope of up to $575,000 in estimated cost. Of that amount, $500,000 is the state
portion (85%) with $75,000 being the local match (15%). The request now before the City Council is two-
fold:
1. Award the grant application assistance which is provided to the City at no charge.
2. Pre -authorize the award of the grant administration should the City be successful in being selected for
approval of the grant (see attached sample state approved contract format).
The grant deadline is July 7, 2022. There are a number of steps, including preparing a carefully defined
scope of work and a number of other specific factors which must be identified in the new grant application
to be submitted to this year. The announcement timeframe for the grant in relation to the grant deadline was
a shortened window this year. This is why this item is being brought to the council a few months earlier
than in 2020. The City Engineer will be the designated project engineer for this work.
The state guidelines require that a minimum of 3 state qualified grant writing firms be contacted with an
RFP. These were sent out on May 4th of this month. They were: ARK-TEX COG, Grant Works, Inc. and
Hayter Engineering. Of these 3, only ARK-TEX COG and Grant Works, Inc. submitted proposals. These
proposals were reviewed by a Main Street grant sub -committee consisting of Council Member Pankaj, Rob
Vine, Andrew Mack and Cheri Bedford. The sub -committee reviewed the 2 proposals and scored Grant
Works, Inc. with the highest ranking.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of a resolution award of the City of Paris Grant Application &
Administrative Services with Grant Works, Inc. for 2022-2023 TX CDBG Main Street Program.
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL
MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH GRANT WORKS, INC. TO
COMPLETE A GRANT APPLICATION UNDER THE GENERAL DIRECTION OF
THE TXCDBG MAIN STREET PROGRAM; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Paris is eligible to apply for grant opportunities from the
Texas Capital Fund Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) - Main Street Program
for an amount up to $500,000.00 to reconstruct ADA sidewalks, streets and infrastructure in
downtown; and,
WHEREAS, in response to a request for qualifications sent to 3 pre -approved grant
administrators, the city received 2 qualified proposals; and
WHEREAS, upon review by committee, Grant Works, Inc. has been selected to
provide management and administrative services under the aforesaid TxCDBG Main Street
Program; and,
WHEREAS, Grant Works, Inc. has submitted a proposal in the amount of $38,000.00
for these services, to be paid if a grant is awarded; and
WHEREAS, it is deemed to be in the best interest of the City of Paris to retain Grant
Works, Inc. to complete the TxCDBG block grant application;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PARIS, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are hereby
in all things approved.
Section 2. That the City hereby retains Grant Works, Inc. to complete an
application on behalf of the City of Paris, Texas to implement a contract administration
system under the general direction of the TxCDBG Main Street Program in connection with
walkable street with pedestrian amenities, lighting, and utility improvement along 1St SE
from Lamar to Clarksville, and sidewalk replacement from Clarksville to Kaufman.
Section 3. That this resolution shall be effective from and after the date of passage.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 23rd day of May, 2022.
Paula Portugal, Mayor
ATTEST:
Janice Ellis, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Stephanie H. Harris, City Attorney