Title
Amending Chapter 86 of the Administrative Code to add Section 86.12 requiring council approval prior to submission of grant applications.
Body
SECTION 1
WHEREAS, Chapter 10 of the City Charter recognizes the Council’s authority over the budget and spending of the City; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 86 of the Administrative Code requires all contracts be authorized by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, Charter Sec. 10.07.1. “supplemental appropriations” requires the City Council to approve, by resolution following a public hearing, “If during the fiscal year, the mayor certifies that there are available for appropriation total revenues in excess of those estimated in the budget;” and
WHEREAS, such “supplemental appropriations” often are in the form of grant funds received by the City; and
WHEREAS, some grant funding is contingent on City participation in the activity such as matching funds, staffing commitments, or can require unforeseen future expenditures, etc.; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to ensure that City Departments receive approval for applications for grant funds, so that the City and granting entities do not spend time and resources on programs, projects, or funding that the Council will not support; and
WHEREAS, the Council seeks to memorialize the current City practice in ordinance requiring City Departments to seek Council approval prior to submission of a grant application; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul Does Ordain:
SECTION 2
Section 86.12 of the Saint Paul Administrative Code is hereby created to read as follows:
Section 86.12 Council Approval of Grant Applications
(a) Definitions: the following terms as used in this chapter are defined as follows:
1. City grant obligation: a requirement (other than eligibility or reporting requirement) established by the granting entity to which the City must agree, or take affirmative steps to complete, in order to receive grant funds (for example matching funds, other spending requirements, or hiring or retention requirements past funding period).
2. Grant Application: A written proposal that is submitted to an organization with the explicit intent of securing funding for city activities.
3. Granting Entity: Includes but is not limited to, a Federal, State, or Local Government Entity or Agency, Private Foundation, or other organization that provides a financial appropriation or allocation to the City.
(b) Council Consent Requirement:
1. Prior to submission of any Grant Application for $100,000 or more, the City Council must, by resolution, consent to submission of a grant application and the intended use of the grant funds, if received.
2. Prior to submission of any Grant Application that may include any City Grant Requirement he obligation the City Council must, by resolution, consent to the submission of a grant application, the intended use of the grant funds, and any anticipated City Grant. Requirement obligation.
3. The resolution requesting such approval shall indicate, in its title if there is a City grant obligation either during or after the grant period.
(c) Failure to obtain Council approval prior to submission of the Grant Application will not invalidate the grant award but may result in rejection of the grant award and denial of corresponding budget action or contract approval requests.
SECTION 3
This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days following its passage, approval, and publication.