Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city has spent extraordinary sums of money that were not considered during the budget process for the 2019-20 fiscal year and for some expenses that may or may not be fully reimbursable by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or other sources. Most expenses that qualify for FEMA reimbursement are reimbursable up to 75% of the expense. With the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the federal government has made a source of funds available that can be used to reimburse the city for its expenses which are not eligible under the emergency declaration adopted by FEMA, or for the 25% portion of the costs that are currently the city's responsibility.
WE THEREFORE MOVE that the Council INSTRUCT the CAO to identify appropriate reimbursements to the General Fund for the costs the city has incurred which are either (a)within the category of expenses for which the city must cover 25 percent; or (b) costs for which the city is not eligible to be reimbursed to which the COVID-19 Federal Relief Fund may be applied.