REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: SANTINO DANISI, MBA, City Controller/Finance Director BY: COURTNEY ESPINOZA, Business Manager Finance Department, Grants Management Unit SUBJECT ..Title Approve a Grant Agreement with Lighthouse for Children, Inc. allocating $150,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support a partnership with the Dollywood Foundation implementing the Imagination Library program in the City of Fresno. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends Council approve an agreement with Lighthouse for Children, Inc. for $150,000 in ARPA funding to support a partnership with the Dollywood Foundation to implement the Imagination Library program in the City of Fresno and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement, amendments, and modifications pertaining to this grant program. This partnership will supply age-appropriate books to children 0 - 5 years old in the City of Fresno, specifically in zip codes 93706 and 93722. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Staff recommends Council approve an agreement with Lighthouse for Children, Inc. for $150,000 in ARPA funding to support a partnership with the Dollywood Foundation to provide age-appropriate books to children ages 0 - 5 years old in the City of Fresno. As a beneficiary of ARPA funding, Lighthouse for Children, Inc. will receive funding to implement the Imagination Library program supporting these efforts. BACKGROUND In 2021, the City of Fresno was awarded American Rescue Plan Act funding in the amount of $170,808,029. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and negative economic impacts in the City of Fresno, families in disadvantaged zip codes do not have access to age-appropriate books for children ages 0 - 5 years old. During the FY 2025 budget proceedings, at the request of Councilmember Maxwell, $150,000 in ARPA funding was approved by City Council to allocate to the Dollywood Foundation program. In order to facilitate this program, the Dollywood Foundation has partnered with Lighthouse for Children, a local Community Based Organization, to implement and provide oversight of this needed program in the City of Fresno. Families residing in zip codes 93706 and 93722, will be encouraged to sign up for this program through various public outreach events, and receive age-appropriate books for their children through the Imagination Library program. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item is not a project as defined by CEQA. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not considered because the approval of a grant agreement does not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract. FISCAL IMPACT This program will be funded through American Rescue Plan Act funding and will not impact the general fund. Allocation is currently appropriated in the ARPA fund. Attachments: ARPA CBO Agreement with Lighthouse for Children, Inc.