ORDINANCE approving and authorizing the Mayor of the City of Houston to accept Grant awards from Various Federal Entities for a Public Health Crisis Response (the “Grant”); declaring the City’s eligibility for such Grants; authorizing the Mayor to expend the Grant Funds, as awarded, and to apply for and accept all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the Grant

This Item should only be considered after passage of Item 22 above

On March 25, 2020, a Presidential Declaration for COVID-19 pandemic was announced for the State of Texas, DR-4485.  On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law to address economic fallout of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States.  Various Departments within the City of Houston (City) have begun to receive notification of grant awards or other funding sources.  

The following table identifies the agency and anticipated awards:

*Note: Anticipated awards are based on estimations only and may vary.

The Mayor or his designees are authorized and directed to represent and act on behalf of the City for the purpose of the CARES Act grant or entitlement programs and is authorized to apply for, accept and spend funds released by Federal agencies either directly or as a pass-through to the State of Texas.  The Federal agencies may include but are not limited to the Departments of Treasury, Health and Human Services, Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Administration, Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, Housing and Urban Development, Department of Justice, and Federal Aviation Administration.

The Mayor of his designee is authorized to act as the City’s representative in the application process with authority to apply for, accept and expend the funds, as awarded, for the purpose of these grant programs and to apply for, accept and expend all subsequent awards, if any, for subsequent renewal periods, not to exceed five years, pertaining to the above program.  The Mayor is hereby authorized, without further City Council action, to execute all related contracts, agreements, amendments and documents, for budget periods not to exceed five years thereafter in connection with the above-mentioned grant assistance program, with the approval as to form of the City Attorney.

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Tantri Emo, Chief Business Officer/Director of Finance

Fiscal Note: No Fiscal note needed for Grant Funded items

Gloria Moreno, Assistant Director

832.393.9005