City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 18, 2020
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Authorization to Participate in the Commonwealth of Virginia Municipal Utility Relief Program
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of the COVID-19 Municipal Utility Relief Program
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council (1) support the Alexandria Renew Enterprise’s (AlexRenew) participation in the COVID-19 Municipal Utility Relief Program, and (2) authorizes the City Manager to execute all required documentation for participation in the program.
DISCUSSION: Previously this month, Governor Northam announced a new allocation of $60 million in funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery and Economic Security (CARES) Act to support municipal utility relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The $60 million municipal utility relief program will be administered by the Commonwealth’s Department of Housing and Community Development and the Department of Accounts. The program will allow counties and cities to apply to set-up smaller, locally administered relief programs, which will support customers’ bill payments and assist with outstanding debt. Attachment 1 provides additional details regarding this relief program om a memorandum dated November 19, 2020.
At this time the details and requirements of the program are still being determined, but applications from municipal utilities to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) must be submitted by November 30, 2020 to be considered for this allocation of funds. City Council authorization at this time will ensure that the City of Alexandria and AlexRenew are able to participate in this relief program in spite of the extremely short deadline.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1. Department of Housing and Community Development Memorandum dated November 19, 2020
STAFF:
Kendel Taylor, Finance Director