TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Ryan J. Alsop, County Executive Officer
REPORT BY: Becky Craig, Assistant County Executive Officer
SUBJECT: ARPA Childcare Facility Application

RECOMMENDATION
title
County Executive Officer requests the Board to accept a Childcare Infrastructure Forgivable Loan Applicant’s proposal to substitute projects for the reservation of funds and for the County Executive Officer or designee to approve loan agreements.
body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Board of Supervisors solicited childcare providers to preserve or create childcare spaces with infrastructure investment loans. Eligible expenses can include one-time facility acquisition or renovation, licensing fees, and/or equipment costs. The Board approved seven applications in June 2023 to receive a reservation of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Le Petit Elephant Nursery and Preschool submitted two of those applications to renovate two leased facilities in Napa. The applicant proposed to preserve and create a total of 198 childcare spots with an investment of $1.2 million. The applicant can now acquire one new site to provide the same or more childcare spots. Staff recommends the approved applications be consolidated to provide one childcare infrastructure forgivable loan per the program’s adopted criteria.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
Where is it budgeted? |
General Fund-Non-Departmental |
Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
Discretionary Justification: |
Childcare investment is a board identified priority |
Is the general fund affected? |
No |
Future fiscal impact: |
None, this program provides one-time investment. |
Consequences if not approved: |
ARPA funds will not be obligated. |
County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Livable Economy for All |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: This proposed activity is not subject to CEQA pursuant to CEQ Guidelines section 15060(c)(2) because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Board of Supervisors solicited childcare providers to preserve or create childcare spaces with infrastructure investment loans. Eligible expenses can include one-time facility acquisition or renovation, licensing fees, and/or equipment costs. The Board approved seven applications in June 2023 to receive a reservation of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Le Petit Elephant Nursery and Preschool submitted two of those applications to renovate two leased facilities in Napa. The applicant proposed to preserve and create a total of 198 childcare spots with an investment of $1.2 million. The applicant can now acquire one new site to provide the same or more childcare spots. Staff recommends the approved applications be consolidated to provide one childcare infrastructure forgivable loan per the program’s adopted criteria.