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Agenda Item 26.
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| City Council Meeting |
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| Subject: |
| Approval of the 43rd Year Application for Participation in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program in Fiscal Year 2017-18 |
| RECOMMENDATION |
| After a public hearing, adopt the Resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2017-18 application to the County of Orange for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funding. |
| BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION |
The Federal Housing and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program was established under legislation passed by Congress in 1974 to provide housing and other assistance for low-income persons. It is funded by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is administered by the County of Orange.
The City has been very successful in receiving CDBG grants to implement the Single Family Rehabilitation program, alley improvements, and capital improvements to Pioneer Hall and the Brea Senior Center. Project eligibility is limited, as the County only funds what is deemed “high priority projects,” including projects addressing homelessness, neighborhood facilities, water/sewer/street/sidewalk improvements, and senior centers.
The historic buildings used for the Senior Center and Pioneer Hall have also been improved many times with CDBG funding, most recently by updating restrooms, adding a covered patio, making parking lot and sidewalk accessibility enhancements, replacing flooring and doors promoting easier mobility, and the project underway this fiscal year is a kitchen accessibility plan at the Senior Center.
The County released the Fiscal Year 2017-18 CDBG application package on January 4, 2017, requiring completed applications be submitted by January 25, 2017. As in the past, this timeframe, considering the holiday closure and public hearing notification requirement, did not allow the opportunity to bring the application to Council prior to submittal. However, it was possible to present the application to the Finance Committee in a timely manner on January 10, 2017, where it was supported.
The public hearing is being conducted to conform to HUD and County requirements allowing the public an opportunity to participate in the application process. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the Council is asked to approve by resolution the City’s participation in the Fiscal Year 2017-18 CDBG Program. Council may also elect to withdraw the application.
The application recently submitted requests public facility funds to implement some of the kitchen accessibility plan recommendations at the Senior Center. The anticipated recommendations will result from the current fiscal year CDBG Project at the Senior Center, which project is supported by the Senior Leadership Council. The implementation will improve overall senior accessibility, functionality, mobility and safety. The requested grant amount for these improvements is $200,000. |
| FISCAL IMPACT/SUMMARY |
To increase the likelihood of receiving funding, the application included a voluntary match of approximately $20,000 of “soft costs,” such as city staff time for project management, inspection and quality control. These funds have been requested from the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget. If approved, there is no negative fiscal impact to the General Fund.
The City of Brea continues to apply annually to the County of Orange in a competitive process for federal HUD funding that the County receives each year. Eligible use of CDBG Program funding includes projects addressing homelessness, neighborhood facilities, water/sewer/street/sidewalk improvements in low income census tracts, and senior center improvements. This year, staff prepared an application to implement some of the anticipated kitchen accessibility plan recommendations at the Senior Center, improving overall senior accessibility, functionality, mobility and safety in the Senior Center kitchen. Staff recommends adoption of the attached Resolution approving the application. |
| RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: |
William Gallardo, City Manager
Prepared by: Amber Ahlo, Senior Management Analyst
Concurrence: Chris Emeterio, Assistant City Manager/Community Services Director |
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