CC 2020-02-25_09a CDBG Projects for Year 2020_PP PresentationCONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL
OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROJECTS FOR YEAR 2020
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Good evening Mayor Ray-Russom and Members of the Council. I’m Whitney McDonald and I am your Community Development Director. I am happy to be here this evening to discuss the allocations
of CDBG funding for Year 2020. CDBG is a federal program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development that provides local governments with financial resources to
address a wide range of community development needs, such as affordable housing, social services, job creation, and public facility improvements. The County of San Luis Obispo administers
the program for our area, and allocations are made on a formula basis. All of the cities in the County, with the exception of Grover Beach, participate in the CDBG Entitlement Program
and receive funds annually. Grover Beach competes for funds separately through the State CDBG Program, which is highly competitive and has strict eligibility requirements.
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Background
CDBG is a federal program that distributes funds to participating cities and counties
Allocation of CDBG funds can be made for a variety of projects as long as one (1) of the following National Objectives are met:
Benefit low- and moderate-income persons;
Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; or
Address urgent community development needs that pose a serious or immediate threat to public health or welfare
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The main objective of the CDBG program is to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and economic opportunity. CDBG Funds must be
used for activities that meet one of the National Objectives listed here.
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CDBG Requirements
No less than 70% of each year’s allotment be used for projects or programs that benefit low income persons
30% cap for projects that “eliminate blight”
Limits on types of projects or programs that may be undertaken
15% cap for “public services” projects
Restrictions against funds paying for projects/programs already initiated
CDBG-funded projects completed in a timely manner
Comply with federal environmental laws (NEPA), labor laws (prevailing wages), and procurement regulations
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2020 Grant
The County has estimated that $87,042 in CDBG funds will be available to the City in the fall of 2020 (little more than 9% increase from 2019)
County will help City administer the program
Funds divided into 6 categories
Public Services
Public Facilities
Economic Development
Area Benefit
Housing Rehabilitation; and
Administration
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During the 2020 program year, it is estimated that $87,042 will be available to the City starting in the fall of 2020, which reflects roughly a 9% increase from last year. However, recent
funding remains considerably less that what the City received between Years 2001 and 2011, which averaged to $112,000. Similar to last year, the County will help the City administer
the program. CDBG funds are divided into 6 categories, which include:
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Public Services Category
Capped at 15%, or $13,056 for Year 2020
City created the Jim Guthrie Community Service Grant Program in 2014 due to cumbersome CDBG process for small social service non-profit agencies
The City received two (2) CDBG public service applications; the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County (Food Bank) and Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH).
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The allocation of funds for Public Services is caped at 15%, or $13,056 for Year 2020. In previous years, the request for public service funds greatly exceeded what was available. However,
due to stricter CDBG regulations and the unique funding opportunity offered through the Jim Guthrie Community Service Grant Program, the City has not received many applications in recent
years for CDBG funds under this category.
This year, the City received two (2) CDBG public service applications from the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County and Peoples’ Self-Help Housing.
Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County (Food Bank) application - $2,000 for a program that provides No-Cook Bags with food that does not need to be cooked or refrigerated to homeless
residents of San Luis Obispo County.
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) application - $9,600 for services through the Supportive Housing Program, supporting five (5) social workers who provide clinical social services and
case management for individuals living at Peoples’ Self Help Housing affordable rental properties.
The Council will consider funding recommendations for the JGCSGP in early April as a separate item.
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Public Facilities Category
No funding cap for Public Facilities
City priority has been to address ADA accessibility deficiencies
Last year, City Council approved $56,148 to be used for barrier removal projects under the Public Facilities category, and $5,569 for Administration, for a total of $61,717. It is recommended
that these funds be reallocated to 2020 projects.
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In 2014, when the City created the Community Service Grant Program, it was decided that CDBG funds would be allocated specifically to City projects that remove architectural barriers
to improve disabled accessibility. Previously approved projects include curb ramp installations at mid-block crosswalks, Woman’s Club ADA improvements, and improving Accessibility at
the Soto Sports Complex.
Last year, the City Council approved $56,148 to be used for barrier removal projects under the Public Facilities category, and $5,569 for Administration, for a total of $61,717. Staff
initially recommended these funds to be utilized for curb ramps along Castillo Del Mar. Subsequent to the original recommendation, concern was raised that applying CDBG funds to Castillo
Del Mar would Federalize the project and increase costs, as presented at the March 12, 2019 City Council meeting. As a result, Staff responsible for Capital Improvement Projects recommended
the Council direct CDBG funds to be utilized on the first priority location of Valley Road/Tiger Tail Drive. Following this recommendation, it was discovered that the then City Engineer
recommended that these improvements not be built.
Since that recommendation, staff found that the previous City Engineer recommended to the Traffic Commission that this crosswalk be removed entirely, and therefore curb ramps should
not be installed. The Traffic Commission concluded that removal of the existing marked crosswalk and not reinstalling a new marked crosswalk on Valley Road at Tiger Tail Drive was appropriate.
This determination was made primarily based upon the measured travel speed of Valley Road being high and the pedestrian usage being low.
This program year, it is recommended that remaining funding from 2019 and recommended funding for 2020 be allocated to Phase IV of the Soto Sports Complex Barrier Removal Project at
Ikeda Field. Universal access to public facilities, especially those that are used by thousands of community members annually is a critical priority. Ikeda Field at Soto Sports Complex
has two (2) dedicated softball/baseball fields and are used by numerous AYSO and Club teams during soccer season. Adult leagues also consistently utilize the lighted facilities in the
evening and later hours. Lastly, large community events such as sports tournaments and Cops and Kids Day take place in this fully fenced basin setting to allow for a safe, contained
and controlled environment for children’s activities. Out of the seven fields in the complex, these are the only fields that do not have ADA access.
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Administration
Capped at 20%, or $17,408 for Year 2020
County Administrative costs = $11,315 (per City/County Cooperation Agreement)
City Administrative costs = $11,662
$6,093 (2020 CDBG)
$5,569 (2019 CDBG)
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Regarding Administration, staff recommends allocating $11,315 to the County for its administrative costs per the City and County Cooperation Agreement. The City is allowed to use up
to $6,093 from 2020 CDBG funds and $5,569 from 2019 CDBG funds for its administrative costs. Due to time and personnel resources needed to administer the CDBG program for the City,
it is recommended that this balance be allocated to cover City administration.
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Preliminary Direction
December 10, 2019 – Council considered preliminary 2020 CDBG funding recommendations, providing direction to pursue the following:
Allocate 2020 CDBG funds and reallocate 2019 CDBG funds to the City’s Phase IV Soto Sports Complex Barrier Removal Project at Ikeda Field
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Read slide
This item is to take final action to approve the CDBG allocations discussed at your December 10, 2019 meeting
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Preliminary Direction
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Discussion
Support for preliminary direction to allocate funds to City’s Soto Sports Complex Barrier Removal Project at Ikeda Field:
One of City’s highest priorities is to improve accessibility in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act
Addresses CDBG objective of enhancing accessibility for individuals with disabilities on City-owned property
Soto Sports Complex is a regional asset to the Five-Cities community and improvements will provide better access to tournaments, practices, and games for residents and visitors
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Recommendation
It is recommended the City Council adopt a resolution approving reallocation of 2019 CDBG funds and approving CDBG projects for the year 2020, allocating all 2019 and 2020 funds to the
Phase IV of the Soto Sports Complex Barrier Removal Project at Ikeda Field, including administration.
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