REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: SANTINO DANISI, MBA, City Controller/Finance Director COUNCILMEMBER TYLER MAXWELL, District 4 BY: COURTNEY ESPINOZA, Business Manager Finance Department, Grants Management Unit SUBJECT ..Title Approve an agreement with The Kenneth L. Maddy Institute (Maddy Institute) allocating 150,000 in ARPA funding for recruitment, personnel costs and scholarship support to enhance the current status of the legislative internship program. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends Council approve an agreement with the Maddy Institute allocating $150,000 in ARPA funding to provide resources for recruitment, personnel costs and scholarship support to enhance capacity within the legislative internship program and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement, amendments, and modifications pertaining to this grant program. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Staff recommends Council approve an agreement with the Maddy Institute allocating $150,000 in ARPA funding to augment the legislative internship program by providing funding for recruitment, personnel costs and scholarship support. This allocation was previously approved by Council through the budget process and approval on June 20, 2024. As a beneficiary of ARPA funding, the Maddy Institute will receive funding to build on their current capacities and provide additional support to program participants. BACKGROUND In 2021, the City of Fresno was awarded American Rescue Plan Act funding in the amount of $170,808,029. Of this funding $150,000 was identified in a resolution passed by Council on June 20, 2024, allocating funding to augment current resources for the Maddy Institute. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maddy Institute has been negatively impacted specifically when internships were terminated abruptly or became virtual. This significantly reduced the quality of the students' experiences and demand for the program has yet to be reestablished. Funding will increase capacity within the organization, refresh branding and recruitment for the program and fund scholarships for completion of the program. This program equips students with the tools to learn about the policymaking process through an enriching experience working for an elected official at the local, state or federal levels. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING This project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. LOCAL PREFERENCE This organization has been previously approved by Council. FISCAL IMPACT This program will be funded through American Rescue Plan Act funding and will not impact the general fund. Attachment: ARPA CBO Agreement with the Maddy Institute