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File #: RES PH 19-410    Version: 1
Type: Resolution-Public Hearing Status: Passed
In control: City Council
Final action: 12/18/2019
Title: Authorizing the Office of Financial Empowerment to accept a $30,000 Phase Two grant from the National League of Cities for a new Cities Addressing Fines and Fees Equitably initiative.
Sponsors: Amy Brendmoen
Attachments: 1. RES PH 19-410 Financial Analysis
Title
Authorizing the Office of Financial Empowerment to accept a $30,000 Phase Two grant from the National League of Cities for a new Cities Addressing Fines and Fees Equitably initiative.

Body
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul (the “City”) has established an Office of Financial Empowerment (the “Office”) within the Office of Financial Services; and

WHEREAS, the City authorized the Saint Paul Public Library Debt Write-Off (RES 18-2034) program as part of the 2019 budget, signaling the importance of eliminating barriers to the use and enjoyment of the Library, and benefit the City by increasing access to Library resources for all city residents, and

WHEREAS, the City has an interest to analyze other financial barriers that residents of Saint Paul may be facing as a result of other municipal fines and fees; and

WHEREAS, national studies have shown that municipal fines and fees can impose a crushing burden on low-income residents and aggressive debt collection practices can further exacerbate the financial strain on low-income residents; and

WHEREAS, the Office has been selected by the National League of Cities (“NLC”) Institute for Youth, Education and Families to participate in Cities Addressing Fines and Fees Equitably (“CAFFE”) including technical assistance and grant opportunities; and

WHEREAS, the City applied for $30,000 from the National League of Cities to meet project goals as outlined in RES 19-635; and
WHEREAS, the City was awarded $30,000 for the CAFFE Phase Two Grant by the National League of Cities (“Grant”); and

WHEREAS, the goals and objectives of the grant aligns with the goals and objectives of the Office of Financial Empowerment; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor, pursuant to Section 10.07.1 of the City Charter and by receipt of the Grant, certifies that there is available for appropriation funds of $30,000 in excess of those dedicated to Office of Financial Empowerment in 2019; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the City Council of Saint Paul...

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