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CC 2016-03-08_10a Final CDBG_Community Service Grant Projects MEMORANDUM TO: CITY COUNCIL FROM: TERESA MCCLISH, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR BY: KELLY HEFFERNON, ASSOCIATE PLANNER SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROJECTS FOR YEAR 2016 AND ARROYO GRANDE COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT PROGRAM ALLOCATIONS DATE: MARCH 8, 2016 RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended the City Council: 1) adopt a Resolution approving projects to be funded with the City’s allocation of CDBG funds for the Year 2016 as shown in the table below; and 2) adopt a Resolution approving projects to be funded with the City's Community Service Grant Program funds. Recommended 2016 CDBG Allocation Project and Category 2015 Allocation 2016 Requested Proposed 2016 Allocation Public Services 15% Cap - $11,484 Subtotal $0 $0 $0 Public Facilities City of Arroyo Grande - Removal of Architectural Barriers $51,116 $61,251 $61,251 Subtotal $51,116 $61,251 $61,251 Economic Development Subtotal $0 $0 Area Benefit 30% Cap - $22,969 Subtotal $0 $0 $0 Administration and Planning 20% Cap - $15,312 City Administration $4,473 $5,359 $5,359 County Administration $8,306 $9,953 $9,953 Subtotal $12,779 $15,312 $15,312 Total $76,563 Item 10.a. - Page 1 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF: 1) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROJECTS FOR YEAR 2016; AND 2) ARROYO GRANDE COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT PROGRAM ALLOCATIONS MARCH 8, 2016 PAGE 2 IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES: The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has estimated that $76,563 in CDBG funds will be available to the City in the fall of 2016. This estimate is slightly more than what was anticipated last December during Council’s preliminary review of these funds ($1,051 difference). Similar to last year, the County will help administer the CDBG program for the City which will reduce City staff time involved. County staff will be paid through the CDBG program funds allocated to the City. Per the Cooperation Agreement between the County and the City entered into on July 15, 2014, 13%, or $9,953 of the City’s allocation for CDBG funds will be deducted by the County to meet its obligations under the terms of the Cooperation Agreement for administrative costs. The City will receive $5,359 for its administrative costs. BACKGROUND: As mentioned above, the City Council approved a Cooperation Agreement with the County in July 2014 for the joint participation in the CDBG Program for fiscal years 2015 through 2017. The City, as a participant in the HUD designated Urban County program, receives an annual formula-based allocation of CDBG funds. These funds are available for a variety of Community Development activities as long as the activities meet at least one of three national objectives. The objectives are: 1. Benefit low- and moderate-income persons; 2. Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; or 3. Address urgent community development needs that pose a serious or immediate threat to public health or welfare. The County distributed a Request for Proposals (RFP) and notified the public that the County and participating cities would accept applications for funding until October 23, 2015. In addition, County staff held “Needs Assessment Workshops” on September 15, 2015 and February 10, 2016 to gather input from the public in South County regarding the allocation of CDBG funds. On December 8, 2015, the City Council considered preliminary recommendations and received public input. Council approved staff’s preliminary recommendation of proposed projects to be funded with the City’s allocation of CDBG funds for the year 2016. ANALYSIS OF ISSUES: Staff uses the following criteria set forth by the County in the RFP to make funding recommendations: 1. Consistency with Federal regulations and laws; 2. Community support (for example, approval of project by a city council); Item 10.a. - Page 2 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF: 1) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROJECTS FOR YEAR 2016; AND 2) ARROYO GRANDE COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT PROGRAM ALLOCATIONS MARCH 8, 2016 PAGE 3 3. Seriousness of community development need proposed to be addressed by project; 4. Degree to which project benefits low-income and very low-income families or persons; 5. Feasibility of the project to be completed as budgeted by April 30, 2017; 6. Cost effectiveness of funds requested and leveraging of other funds; and 7. Organization's experience or knowledge regarding CDBG requirements. The Cooperation Agreement between the County and the City gives discretion regarding allocation of funds. Unless the City’s recommendation to the County for funding is clearly in conflict with CDBG regulations, the County will approve the recommendation. The County Board of Supervisors will make its final decision for funding priority on April 12, 2016. Public Services The competitiveness for public service grants, which is capped at 15 percent of total CDBG funding, has historically been strong with requests far exceeding available funds. As discussed in recent years regarding CDBG allocations, HUD has significantly increased its monitoring efforts of jurisdictions participating in the CDBG program, which means that local jurisdictions must increase their monitoring efforts of recipients as well. According to County staff, the cost to properly monitor a given CDBG activity is approximately $8,000. Therefore, only activities that can either individually or cumulatively receive more than $10,000 in CDBG funding will be considered. Because public service organizations are more aware of the stricter CDBG regulations, as well as funding opportunities through the City’s Community Service Grant Program, the City did not receive any CDBG applications for public services. Public Facilities Staff recommends allocating $61,251 to assist in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements by removing architectural barriers associated with the Woman’s Club Center. The “Arroyo Grande Woman’s Club Building Barrier Removal Project” will remove existing architectural barriers that prevent facility users who use wheelchairs from accessing the exterior patio area and will provide mandatory secondary emergency access and exiting for the building. Specifically, the project will include: • Leveling the patio area; • Replacing three (3) doors to allow for wheelchair access; • Constructing ADA compliant van-accessible parking spaces in the facility’s parking lot; and • Providing ADA compliant pathways, including railing, signs and other necessary improvements. Item 10.a. - Page 3 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF: 1) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROJECTS FOR YEAR 2016; AND 2) ARROYO GRANDE COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT PROGRAM ALLOCATIONS MARCH 8, 2016 PAGE 4 This project was identified as a priority given the large number of facility users and the kitchen remodel effort currently underway. It is anticipated that all improvements will be done at the same time to limit inconvenience to the public. Note that there are also hundreds of locations throughout the City in need of ADA compliant curb ramps. Given the City’s annual allocation of CDBG funds and local sales tax funds appropriated to ADA improvements, and not adjusting for inflation, it will take several decades for the City to complete all of these improvements. There are also other ADA improvements needed at various City-owned facilities and parks. Hence, allocating available CDBG funds to the removal of architectural barriers, especially given the City’s new Community Service Grant Program to help meet public service funding needs, is appropriate. Economic Development The City did not receive any requests for economic development projects. Area Benefit Projects qualifying as meeting the Area Benefit national objective are limited to a 30 percent cap ($22,969). Area Benefit refers to activities that are available to benefit all residents of an area that is primarily residential where at least 51 percent of the residents are low or moderate income persons. In the past, the City considered efforts to eliminate slums and blight, such as code enforcement activities to remove illegal signs and providing funds for façade improvements, as valid activities. HUD determined in 2013 that the City’s code enforcement and Façade Improvement programs are invalid based on the lack of blight, and therefore these programs have been discontinued. The City did not receive any funding requests for this category. Administration and Planning Funds requested for the administration of the CDBG program have decreased over the last several years in direct proportion to the overall decrease in the City’s CDBG funding, even though HUD administrative requirements are increasing. Staff recommends allocating $15,312 for program administration, which is 20% of total funds. As stated above, $9,953 of the City’s allocation for CDBG funds will be deducted by the County for its administrative costs as per the Cooperation Agreement, and the City will receive $5,359 for administration. Arroyo Grande Community Service Grant Program In response to CDBG funding limitations and restrictions, in 2014 the City established the Arroyo Grande Community Service Grant Program separate and apart from the CDBG program. This program provides $20,000 to eligible non-profit organizations that provide specialized social service, educational, cultural, beautification and recreational programs and projects benefitting Arroyo Grande citizens. This is not a CDBG program; Item 10.a. - Page 4 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF: 1) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROJECTS FOR YEAR 2016; AND 2) ARROYO GRANDE COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT PROGRAM ALLOCATIONS MARCH 8, 2016 PAGE 5 however, the rating system is similar to that established per the purposes of reviewing CDBG applications in prior years. Last year, the City received a total of twelve (12) applications totaling $60,948.48. This year, the City received a total of eleven (11) applications totaling $53,000 (see Attachment 1 for applications). A Community Service Grant Review Panel was established consisting of one member from each of the City’s boards, commissions and committees. This panel convened on February 11, 2016 to review the applications and recommended the funding allocations listed below. NAME OF NON- PROFIT PROJECT SUMMARY AREA SERVED GRANT AMOUNT RECEIVED IN 2015 GRANT AMOUNT REQUESTED 2016 AMOUNT RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE Big Brothers Big Sisters of SLO County Staff time for training, screening, enrolling and matching families and volunteers within the City of AG. SLO County (emphasis on City of AG) $1,700 $5,000 $2,000 Camp Fire Central Coast of California Camp Fire Out- of-School-Time program. Five Cities $1,500 $2,500 $1,500 CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) Recruitment, screening, training and supervising community volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children who are under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Dependency Court. City of AG n/a $2,500 $1,500 Family Care Network, Inc. Landscaping at their Elm Street property. City of AG $1,350 $20,000 $500 Item 10.a. - Page 5 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF: 1) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROJECTS FOR YEAR 2016; AND 2) ARROYO GRANDE COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT PROGRAM ALLOCATIONS MARCH 8, 2016 PAGE 6 NAME OF NON- PROFIT PROJECT SUMMARY AREA SERVED GRANT AMOUNT RECEIVED IN 2015 GRANT AMOUNT REQUESTED 2016 AMOUNT RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE 5CHC (Five Cities Homeless Coalition) Housing and other transitional assistance for the homeless. Five Cities Area $1,500 $1,500 $2,000 Meals on Wheels Meals delivered to homebound clients. City of AG n/a $6,000 $4,000 Peoples’ Self Help Housing (PSHH) Educator’s salary at Courtland Street Apartments - after school education program. City of AG $4,000 $5,000 $2,500 SCORE San Luis Obispo Entrepreneur education. SLO County $450 $500 $500 Senior Nutrition Program of SLO County Meals for 5 seniors in AG. City of AG $3,000 $5,000 $4,000 SLO Noor Foundation Healthcare for uninsured individuals. City of AG n/a $3,500 $1,000 Transitions – Mental Health Association Funding for a new Computer Skills Workshop in the Safe Haven Wellness Center. City of AG and SLO County n/a $1,500 $500 TOTAL: $13,500 (of the $20,000 total) $53,000 $20,000 TOTAL BUDGET: $20,000 Non-profits that did not apply again this year include South County Historical Society, Arroyo Grande in Bloom, CAPSLO, Central Coast Salmon Enhancement, and Transitional Food and Shelter. Item 10.a. - Page 6 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF: 1) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROJECTS FOR YEAR 2016; AND 2) ARROYO GRANDE COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT PROGRAM ALLOCATIONS MARCH 8, 2016 PAGE 7 The amounts recommended above were based on multi-faceted criteria, which is included as Attachment 2. ADVANTAGES: The recommended allocations fund important City priorities. The Community Service Grant Program will assist with funding local public service programs. DISADVANTAGES: Providing CDBG funding for the projects identified eliminates the use of these funds for other projects. ALTERNATIVES: The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration: - Approve staff’s recommended funding for CDBG programs and for the City’s Community Services Program for the year 2016; - Modify staff’s recommended funding for both programs; or - Provide direction to staff. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The allocation of CDBG funds and the City’s Community Services Program is not considered a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Specific projects that may have environmental impacts will be reviewed under CEQA and NEPA prior to implementation. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS: A public hearing notice was published in The Tribune on Friday, February 26, 2016 and emailed to all Community Service Grant applicants. The Agenda was posted in front of City Hall on Thursday, March 3rd and the agenda and staff report were posted on the City’s website on Friday, March 4th. No public comments have been received. Attachments: 1. Community Service Grant Applications (11), less financial statements 2. Review Criteria for Community Service Grant Applications Item 10.a. - Page 7 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROJECTS FOR YEAR 2016 WHEREAS, via a Cooperative Agreement with the County of San Luis Obispo (hereafter referred to as “County”) executed by the City of Arroyo Grande (“City”) on July 15, 2014, the City agreed to become a participant for a period of three years with the County and other cities therein as an “Urban County” under the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (hereafter referred to as “HUD”) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program; and WHEREAS, under the Cooperative Agreement, the City retains the authority to determine which projects are to be funded with its allotment of CDBG funds; and WHEREAS, the City expects to receive $76,563 in CDBG funds in 2016; and WHEREAS, in 2015, the County published a “Request for Proposals” for projects to be funded under the 2016 CDBG Programs, which provided that proposals were to be submitted by October 23, 2015; and WHEREAS, on September 15, 2015, the County conducted a public workshop with the City of Arroyo Grande to ascertain the housing and community development needs to be addressed in the document entitled the “One-Year Action Plan” for Program Year 2016; and WHEREAS, at its meeting of December 8, 2015 the City Council gave preliminary approval to a proposed listing of 2016 CDBG projects; and WHEREAS, on February 10, 2016, the County conducted a second public workshop for the City of Arroyo Grande to receive comments on the proposed 2016 CDBG projects; and WHEREAS, on March 8, 2016 the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing to further consider the City’s Program Year 2016 CDBG projects. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande, California, to recommend that the Board of Supervisors for the County of San Luis Obispo adopt the 2016 One-Year Action Plan, which shall include the programs listed in Exhibit “A” attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, to be funded with the City’s allocation of CDBG funds. Item 10.a. - Page 8 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 2 On motion of Council Member , seconded by Council Member , and on the following roll call vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 8th day of March, 2016. Item 10.a. - Page 9 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 3 JIM HILL, MAYOR ATTEST: KELLY WETMORE, CITY CLERK APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: _____________________________________ DIANNE THOMPSON, CITY MANAGER APPROVED AS TO FORM: HEATHER WHITHAM, CITY ATTORNEY Item 10.a. - Page 10 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 4 EXHIBIT “A” 2016 ONE YEAR ACTION PLAN ALLOCATION OF PROGRAM YEAR 2016 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS Project and Category 2015 Allocation 2016 Requested Proposed 2016 Allocation Public Services 15% Cap - $11,484 Subtotal $0 $0 $0 Public Facilities City of Arroyo Grande - Removal of Architectural Barriers $51,116 $61,251 $61,251 Subtotal $51,116 $61,251 $61,251 Economic Development Subtotal $0 $0 Area Benefit 30% Cap - $22,969 Subtotal $0 $0 $0 Administration and Planning 20% Cap - $15,312 City Administration $4,473 $5,359 $5,359 County Administration $8,306 $9,953 $9,953 Subtotal $12,779 $15,312 $15,312 Total $76,563 Item 10.a. - Page 11 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT PROGRAM PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015-16 WHEREAS, on September 23, 2014 the City Council approved the Community Service Grant Program process; and WHEREAS the City Council allocated $20,000 in the FY 2015-16 Annual Budget to implement the program; and WHEREAS, the City received a total of eleven (11) applications for the Community Service Grant Program; and WHEREAS, the City Council established a Community Service Grant Review Panel consisting of one member from each of the City’s boards, commissions and committees; and WHEREAS, this Panel convened on February 11, 2016 to review the applications and recommended funding allocations, as indicated in Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, on March 8, 2016 the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing to consider the City’s Community Service Grant Program projects. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande, California, hereby approves the 2016 Community Service Grant Program projects as set forth in Exhibit “A” attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. On motion of Council Member , seconded by Council Member , and on the following roll call vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 8th day of March, 2016. Item 10.a. - Page 12 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 2 JIM HILL, MAYOR ATTEST: KELLY WETMORE, CITY CLERK APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: _____________________________________ DIANNE THOMPSON, CITY MANAGER APPROVED AS TO FORM: HEATHER WHITHAM, CITY ATTORNEY Item 10.a. - Page 13 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 3 EXHIBIT “A” Arroyo Grande 2016 Community Service Grant Program Summary of Applications (11 Total) NAME OF NON- PROFIT PROJECT SUMMARY AREA SERVED GRANT AMOUNT RECEIVED IN 2015 GRANT AMOUNT REQUESTED 2016 AMOUNT RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE Big Brothers Big Sisters of SLO County Staff time for training, screening, enrolling and matching families and volunteers within the City of AG. SLO County (emphasis on City of AG) $1,700 $5,000 $2,000 Camp Fire Central Coast of California Camp Fire Out- of-School-Time program. Five Cities $1,500 $2,500 $1,500 CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) Recruitment, screening, training and supervising community volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children who are under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Dependency Court. City of AG n/a $2,500 $1,500 Family Care Network, Inc. Landscaping at their Elm Street property. City of AG $1,350 $20,000 $500 5CHC (Five Cities Homeless Coalition) Housing and other transitional assistance for the homeless. Five Cities Area $1,500 $1,500 $2,000 Meals on Wheels Meals delivered to homebound clients. City of AG n/a $6,000 $4,000 Item 10.a. - Page 14 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 4 NAME OF NON- PROFIT PROJECT SUMMARY AREA SERVED GRANT AMOUNT RECEIVED IN 2015 GRANT AMOUNT REQUESTED 2016 AMOUNT RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE Peoples’ Self Help Housing (PSHH) Educator’s salary at Courtland Street Apartments - after school education program. City of AG $4,000 $5,000 $2,500 SCORE San Luis Obispo Entrepreneur education. SLO County $450 $500 $500 Senior Nutrition Program of SLO County Meals for 5 seniors in AG. City of AG $3,000 $5,000 $4,000 SLO Noor Foundation Healthcare for uninsured individuals. City of AG n/a $3,500 $1,000 Transitions – Mental Health Association Funding for a new Computer Skills Workshop in the Safe Haven Wellness Center. City of AG and SLO County n/a $1,500 $500 TOTAL: *$13,500 (of the $20,000 total) $53,000 $20,000 TOTAL BUDGET: $20,000 *Applicants that did not re-apply this grant year are not listed and therefore the amount indicated is less than $20,000. 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