25 April 2020

Mesa City Government: Politics, Pandemics and Spending Plans For COVID-19 $90,400,000 of Federal Funds

The April 23, 2020 early morning "Study Session" was once again a virtual platform via tele-conferencing with elected city council members self-isolated inside their homes or outside in their backyards. Salaried city officials were ensconced in the Lower Chambers that have closed to the public, where two Power-Point presentations were made, one about allocations of $6M and one about $90.4M
As far as citizen participation goes, few in any blue comments cards were submitted online.

How Governments Determine Citizen Participation Democracy ...

Thursday's City Council Study Session was an eye-opener to compare what is stated as a belief and what is the actual practice:
The Mesa City Council believes that its people, not leaders, are what makes a City great and actively works to encourage citizen participation in the decision-making process. the Mesa City Council sets policies based on the input and needs of its citizens. 

Source: https://www.mesaaz.gov/city-hall/mayor-council
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2 SCREEN-GRABS from City of Mesa Channel 11 on YouTube
Looks like Hizzoner appears a wee-bit stumped and at the same time both Giles and City Manager Chris Brady can't talk fast enough to kick-off the show they have planned . . .


(1) Study Session

click or tap here

Link to the presentation by Michelle Albanese

  • Allocations = $6M
BLOGGER NOTE: Giles seems to be angling from some questionable ideas not sell-received by other council members...watch what each district rep has for talking points. 
QUESTION: Why do we know nearly nothing about Michelle Albanese?
File #:20-0461   
Type:PresentationStatus:Agenda Ready
In control:City Council Study Session
On agenda:4/23/2020
Title:Hear a presentation, discuss, and provide final funding recommendations for the FY 2020/21 and prior years' available funding for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Human Services Programs.

Attachments:1. Presentation, 2. Council Report, 3. Attachment A - Funding Recommendations Summary, 4. Attachment B - CDBG Recommendations, 5. Attachment C-D - HOME and ESG Recommendations, 6. Attachment E - Human Services Recommendations

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(2) Regular Meeting

click or tap here

Allocations = More than $90M 
with very strict accounting standards guidlines that few appear to understand

PRESENTATION = 16 SLIDES THAT APPEAR TO BE HURRIEDLY THROWN TOGETHER... 
with the head of Parks & Recreation assigned to make the presentations?

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File #:20-0464   
Type:PresentationStatus:Agenda Ready
In control:City Council Study Session
On agenda:4/23/2020
Title:Hear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on an update on the Mesa CARES program, focusing on proposed future CARES program funding.
Attachments:1. Presentation

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POWER POINT PRESENTATION (16 slides) Kari Kent, Assistant City Manager 
Marc Heirshberg, Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Director April 23, 2020 Study Session
• Initial 3-day Community Assessment -- April 6-8th
Survey Results-- Residents 
1.Access to Food • Fresh/dry foods • Concern for most vulnerable populations 
2.Timely Emergency Medical Response & Police Protection 
4. Access to Medications 
5. Assistance with Rent, Utilities & Unemployment Insurance 
6. Mental Health Services
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Feeding Mesa Program 
Mission 
Address Mesa residents’ highest priority need of “Access to Food” (based on Community Needs Assessment) by providing nutritious food/meals to Mesa residents who have been affected by COVID-19 and by partnering with existing services, non-profits and Mesa-based restaurants.
Target Demographics
• School children and families
• Homeless
• Unemployed/underemployed
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Low Income Families
• Homebound individuals

Feeding Mesa Programs for Consideration
1. Citywide Food Distribution Programs (immediately) 
2. Restaurant Kitchen Buy-Out Program (under development) 
3. Mesa CARES Card Program (under development)

> Restaurant Kitchen “Food Buy Out” Program
Goal: Provide additional business for Mesa-based restaurants by providing meals for the community 
• Supplement or add to: 
• Meals on Wheels type program 
• Assisted Living Facilities 
• Food Services for frontline healthcare workers 
• Determine interest in restaurants 
• Availability 
• Capability to produce in mass 
• Establish program requirements for restaurants to ensure nutritional value 
• Determine transportation needs to move food from restaurant to distribution points 

> Mesa CARES Card 
Goal: Create a branded Mesa CARES card to be redeemed at select Mesa restaurants 
• Cards would be distributed to eligible community members in need 
• Utilize vetting processes used by MPS, United Food Bank, City Departments and non- profit organizations 
• Work with Chamber of Commerce and the City to identify Mesa businesses whose have been negatively impacted 
• Participating restaurants throughout the City will create meal packages for purchase 
• Mesa CARES card will cover meal package and provide immediate payment to restaurant

Additional Citywide Food Distribution Centers 
(United Food Bank and Midwest Food Bank & Partner Non-Profits and Faith-based Agencies) 
• Identify key partnerships with organizations already providing this service 
• Identify distribution sites (House of Refuge and other non-profits, faith- based organizations, schools, community centers, etc.) at geographic locations throughout the City 
• Assess the availability of food and identify sources to acquire food items 
• Distribution Methods 
• Work directly with non-profit partners who already have intake procedures in place

SLIDE 15: Food Distribution Program Expenses 
(Excludes Restaurant Buy-out and Mesa CARES Cards) 
• Non-Perishable food items for initial 12-week supply – Approx. $200,000 (Midwest Food Bank only) 
• United Food Bank Mesa Convention Center Rental – Approx. $30k per week (additional fees could incur for kitchen and trailer storage area rental) 
• Mesa Staffing – Approx. $52,000 per week 
• Transportation and Delivery Costs – TBD





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