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YMCA to host Auburn 'Grab and Go' food service; city outlines funding for potato program and third-ambulance pilot
Summary
The YMCA will host a new food-insecurity program at 121 Mill Street and has committed to serve current Grab and Go participants in five Auburn Housing Authority sites; the city expects residual funds to cover the potato program and will explore a one-year third-ambulance pilot funded from fund balance.
City staff told the council that the YMCA has new grant funding and will operate a food-insecurity program at 121 Mill Street and will take responsibility for participants currently served by the city's Grab and Go deliveries to Auburn Housing Authority properties.
"They're going to be 1 of the providers renting space there. The city's had discussions with them, and they've committed to, including the current participants in Grab and Go that are in the 5 Auburn Housing Authority facilities that we're currently serving with Grab and Go," the mayor said during the April 17 workshop, listing Esplanade, Roque, Barker, Vincent and Townhouse as sites. Staff cautioned that the YMCA does not currently have transportation for deliveries; the city is discussing partners to maintain weekly site drop-offs for tenants who cannot travel.
The manager said the Grab and Go program is funded from residual off-budget funds and grants; staff estimate about $50,000 will remain by June at current run rates. He said the city plans to continue the potato program this year at a $5,000 allocation from those residual funds and will seek grant mechanisms to support the YMCA and any transportation partner.
Separately, councilors discussed a pilot for a third ambulance. The mayor summarized council sentiment that the project should be funded for a year from fund balance so staff can gather a full year of data and evaluate efficacy. The city manager said he will work with the finance director to prepare whatever orders or paperwork are necessary; no formal funding vote was recorded at the workshop.
Ending: Staff will continue negotiations with the YMCA, identify transportation partners for weekly delivery to housing sites, administer the potato program with residual funds for FY26, and prepare paperwork for a potential one-year third-ambulance pilot funded from fund balance pending further council action.
