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HomeMy WebLinkAbout16 CDBG OVERVIEW 11-18-96NO. 16 11-18-96 DATE: NOVEMBER 18, 1996 Inter-Com TO: FROM: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SUBJECT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) OVERVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF ALLOWABLE USE OF FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1997-98 SUMMARY: This.report Serves to Provide the City CounCil with a general overview of Community Development: Block Grant (CDBG) program and alloWable use of funds. RECOMMENDATION That the City Council provide input as it deems appropriate. FISCAL IMPACT . No City Council action is being requested at this time; therefore, no impacts to the General Fund are anticipated. BACKGROUND/OVERVIEW OF CDBG PROGRAM The federal Housing and ~ommunity Development Act of 1974, as amended, created the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to return federal funds to local communities for the purpose of developing viable urban communities by providing adequate housing and suitable living environments, and expanding economic opportunities, specifically for low- and moderate-income persons. Grants are awarded to communities to implement a wide range of community development activities directed toward neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and the provision of improved community facilities and services. Typically, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) informs the City of the amount of its annual grant award in January. Staff does not yet know the amount of funds that will be awarded to Tustin for the 1997-98 funding year. For the 1996-97 funding year, Tustin received $730,000; it is likely that a similar amount could be received for 1997-98. Due to the length of time necessary to complete the federally required citizen participation process, staff initiates the application process in mid-December. A tentative timeline for the City Council Report CDBG Orientation/Allowable Use of Funds for FY 97-98 November 18,' 1996 Page 2 1997-98 funding cycle is attached for your information and use. Please see Attachment A. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PROCESS Federal regulations require jurisdictions receiving CDBG funds to provide for and encourage citizens to participate in the process of determining how funds are expended. The steps Tustin has developed to carry out this process are as follows: City Council provides input to the staff regarding priorities to consider when reviewing funding applications. Staff will coordinate with the in-house Project Review Committee and Citizen Participation Committee. To initiate the Citizen Participation process, Community Development Department staff provides "Request for Funding" applications to over 70 non-profit public service organizations and all city departments. After receiving completed project applications, an in-house CDBG Project Review Committee evaluates and ranks the funding requests. The Committee is comprised of representatives from various City Departments (Community Services, Public Works, Community Development_ and the City Manager's office). The specific criteria used in the ranking process is enclosed as Attachment B.' Funding recommendations of the in-house Project Review Committee are transmitted to a Citizen Participation Committee. The ad hoc Citizen Participation Committee is comprised of members of Tustin's standing commissions, boards and committees (Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Cultural Resources Advisory Committee, and Senior Advisory Committee) and acts as a citizen review body. Federal regulations require a jurisdiction to hold at least two public meetings/hearings to obtain the views of citizens on such issues as housing and other community development needs specifically related to the use of the CDBG funding. The ad hoc Citizen Participation committee holds a workshop/meeting to receive public input and evaluate suggested funding requests and makes specific recommendations to the City Council. City Council Report CDBG Orientation/Allowable Use of Funds for FY 97-98 November 18, 1996 Page 3 A hearing held by the Council is the second of the two required public hearings. During the meeting, the Council has the authority to modify the proposed funding allocations or add new qualifying projects. The City Council's decision regarding funding requests and priorities is submitted to HUD in the One-Year Action Plan detailing specific use of the CDBG funds. NATIONAL OBJECTIVES The purpose of CDBG funds is to assist in creat~ing viable urban communities by providing housing, suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income persons. Communities are permitted to use CDBG funding to develop programs to achieve those goals provided each activity or project funded meets one of three national objectives. Those objectives include: · Projects that benefit low and moderate (L/M) income persons. Data from the 1990 Census identified the areas of the city having concentrations of low- and moderate-i~come persons meeting CDBG requirements. Those areas are illustrated in Attachment C. In addition, certain groups such as the handicapped and the elderly are assumed to be low- and moderate-income. Projects that aid in the prevention and elimination of slum or blight Tustin's two Redevelopment project areas meet federal requirements for "slum and blighted" areas. The redevelopment project areas are illustrated in Attachment D. Programs meeting a particularly urgent community development need This national objective is only applied to areas impacted by natural disasters or civil disturbances. ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES Ail projects and activities funded with CDBG monies must fall within a specific category of eligible activities. HUD will audit the City's program to ensure that all projects and programs are City Council Report CDBG Orientation/Allowable Use of Funds for FY 97-98 November 18, 1996 Page 4 eligible ones. The funding of ineligible activities could jeopardize future years' CDBG monies. Categories of eligible activities include: Acquisition/Disposition of Real Property including: o the purchase of property to meet a national objective; or, 0 disposition costs such as appraisal, surveys, title reports, etc. Public Facilities and Improvements (acquisition, construction rehabilitation) including: o- shelters for homeless, battered spouses, handicapped and other special needs groups 0 water and sewer facilities 0 flood and drainage improvements 0 community, senior and health centers 0 streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, parks, playgrounds Privately Owned Utilities (acquisition, rehabilitation, installation) including: 0 installation of water lines 0 undergrounding power lines Clearance/Demolition of Buildings, Structures and Improvements Public Services (new or quantifiable increases to existing services provided by non-profit organizations or city departments) including: o child care 0 health care o job training 0 fair housing activities o recreation programs 0 services for seniors, homeless, handicapped o counseling 0 the cost of operating and maintaining that portion of a facility in which a public service is located Interim Assistance including: 0 limited improvements to deteriorating areas as a prelude to permanent improvements o activities to alleviate emergency conditions Relocation/Loss of Rental Income Removal of Architectural Barriers ADA Compliance - removal of architectural barriers Housing Rehabilitation New Housing Construction for low- and moderate-income persons and located in eligible areas Code Enforcement Historic Preservation City Council Report CDBG Orientation/Allowable Use of Funds for FY 97-98 November 18, 1996 Page 5 Special Economic Development Business Incubation Job Creation Assistance' to For-Profit Businesses Planning and Capacity Building including: o analysis o comprehensive plans o neighborhood plans Program Administration Costs - general CDBG program administration and oversight FUNDING RESTRICTIONS There are three primary restrictions that must be adhered to when allocating funding to specific projects, programs and activities. These restrictions are as follows: Regulations for the CDBG program state that at least 70 percent of a jurisdiction's annual grant must be used to benefit low- and moderate-income persons. In other words, a community cannot focus solely on projects in "slum and blighted" areas. Federal law states that no more than 15 percent of the total grant award to a jurisdiction may be used for public service programs and activities. Therefore, the allocations to non- profit public service providers (Boys and Girls Club, Laurel House, Feedback Foundation, Dayle McIntosh Center, etc.) and in-house city departments (Community Services Department for staff at the Youth Center) providing public services cannot exceed 15 percent of the year's total CDBG grant. Federal law also limits the amount of funds spent on administrative activities, including planning studies, to a maximum of 20 percent of the grant award. A~olca i aRt~kip~[Ine r PR: kd\ccreport\cdbgorie. 97 Elizabeth A. Binsack Director of Community Development Enclosures: Attachment A (Tentative Timeline) Attachment B (Evaluation Criteria) Attachment C (Map of Eligible Low- and Moderate-Income Areas) Attachment D (Map of Redevelopment Project Areas) ATTACHMENT A PRELIMINARY TIMELINE FOR FY 1997-98 CDBG CITIZEN PARTICIPATION/APPLICATION PROCESS 11/18/96 11/27/96 12/16/96 12/20/96 1/08/97 1/20/97 1/29/97 2/04/97 2/10/97 2/14/97 2/19/97 2/26/97 3/05/97 3/05/97 3/17/97 With City Council meeting materials, transmit informational "receive and file" memo/report to council members regarding 1996-97 funding cycle. Per their request, packet to include: guidelines for eligible projects and activities; guidelines for citizen participation committee. Response due from City Council members regarding suggested projects and priOrities. Send notice of availability of "Request for Funding" application to newspaper. Publish notice availability of "Request for Funding" applications; mail application packets to non-profit organizations on existing list, transmit to in-house City departments and City Council. City Department Project Suggestion meeting; distribute "Request for Funding" applications to City Departments - 8:30 a.m. Deadline for project proponents, including non-profits and City departments, to return "Request for Funding" applications. Distribute packet of non-profit and city-project funding requests to in-house Staff Review Committee. In-house Staff Review Committee meeting to rank non-profit and city agency proposals - 2:30 p.m. ~ Send notice of Citizen Participation Committee Workshop/Meeting to the newspaper. Publish - Notice of Citizen Participation Committee Workshop/Meeting. Ad Hoc Citizen Participation Committee training session. Hold first Citizen's Participation Committee Workshop/public meeting (first required public hearing) to obtain citizens views on possible proposed use of CDBG funds. Possible continuation of citizen participation workshop public hearing. Development of one-year Action Plan, the component of the Consolidated Plan to be submitted annually. Send City Council Public Hearing Notice and notice of availability of Action Plan for 30-day public comment period to newspaper. 3/21/97 3/21/97 to 4/21/97 4/0~'/97 4/21/97 5/O6/97 5/15/97 7/01/97 7/01/97 to 9/28/97 Publish - Notice of City Council public hearing on funding requests and availability of one-year Action Plan. 30-day public comment period on the Action Plan. -- Hold City Council public hearing on Action Plan (second required public hearing). Possible continuation of City Council public hearing on Consolidated Plan, or adoption of the Action Plan by consent calendar. End of 15-day period for City to respond to public comments. Last day to submit Consolidated Plan to HUD (45 days prior to beginning of funding year). Fiscal year 1995-96 begins. FY 1994-95 Grantee Performance Report due - 90 days after the end of the program year. PR:kd~CDBG 97ktimeline.97 (1 O-7-96) ATTACHMENT B COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROJECT SELECTION PROCESS AND EVALUATION CRITERIA A. SELECTION PROCESS The City reserves the right to act as sole ,judge of the content of the proposals submitted for City's evaluation and selection. The City further reserves the right to reject any or all project proposals. B. FUNDING CRITERIA Evaluation and selection of the requests for funding proposals will be based upon the following considerations and criteria: Completion of Ail Application Forms and~ Requested Information 2. Proposer's General Experience and Capability a o Proposer's demonstrated experience in the operation of programs similar to the one for which funding is requested. b o C o Proposer's demonstrated ability to provide the specific services proposed. Proposer's - demonstrated financial status and ability to finance the proposal submitted. d. Local experience - consideration will be given to operators who have demonstrated experience in providing services to Tustin area residents. e. Proposer's other sources of funding. f . Proposer's verified history of compliance with obligations and responsibilities associated with contractual responsibilities or requirements of state and/or'federal grants. 3. General Program Concepts and Approach a . Demonstration of a critical need for the proposed project by Tustin area residents. b . The anticipated number of low and moderate income Tustin residents to be served by the proposal. Attachment B CDBG - Project Selection Process Page 2 C · The size of the service area for said program and whether the project will indirectly benefit areas within Tustin having a concentration of low and moderate income residents. d . The proposal's response to any needs identified in the City's Consolidated Plan. General Mandatory Guidelines for Funding Requests Submitted by Public Service Providers and Non-Profits Each organization must: Be a non-profit community organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for Tustin residents. , Serve Tustin residents and provide documentation of such service. o Be registered with the State of California as a non-profit community organization, or for new organizations be registered at the time the funds are allocated. o Have a Board of Directors whose meetings are open to the public. Provide the City of Tustin with a copy of current constitution/bylaws and policies and procedures. o Demonstrate ability to generate financial and human resources from other sources. o Not discriminate in employment or in clients served because of race, religion, sex, or national origin. o Be accountable for revenue and expenditures through standard book-keeping procedures. An annual audit at the agency's expense may be required, with the' results available to the city of Tustin upon request. C. EVALUATION PROCESS The evaluation of the proposals will be conducted by an evaluation team comprised of City personnel; however, it may also include elected officials and other community leaders. In all cases, members of the team will have appropriate experience in the Attachment B CDBG - Project Selection Process Page 3 evaluation and administration of projects, proposals, lease agreements, construction contracts, bid documents and public service program Operations. In connection with its evaluation, the team may, at its option, request interviews with those individuals or organizations proposing projects. During these interviews, the proposers will be allowed to present such evidence as may be appropriate for the team to accurately analyze all materials and documentation submitted as part of the proposals. The selection team will employ the applicable criteria and their expertise in evaluating all proposals and shall submit a report to the City Council detailing a highest- to-lowest ranking of all responsive proposals. D. APPROVAL OF FUNDING PROPOSAL Subsequent to the evaluation process, recommendations will be presented to the City Council for review and approval. Specific amounts of recommended allocations may not correlate with the amount requested by an agency. Funding recommendations shall be presented at a regular meeting of the City Council and are subject to public review and comment. Distribution of grant funds is contingent on receipt of monies from the Federal government and funding granted in one fiscal year does not assure an applicant of any future funding. PR: kd\cdbg9 6 \adhc 9 6. #b ATTACHMENT C SAJITA CITY OF TUSTII~ ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA ATTACHMENT D CiTY MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IllYlI~E CITY OF TUSTII ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA CITY OF ORANGE COUKTY OF ORANGE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREAS r'~ TOWN CENTER ~ SOUTH CENTRAL