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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-13-2013 CDBG MinutesCDBG Minutes March 13, 2013 Page 1 of 8 CITY OF ORANGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM COMMITTEE MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2013 6:30 P.M. Weimer Room, Orange City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF PRESENT Mary-Ellen Manning None Mary Ellen Laster Eva Perez Fernando Rico Gina Scott Robert Tunstall I.CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:40 P.M. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – FEBRUARY 20, 2013 Committee Member Rico moved, seconded by Committee Chairperson Perez, to approve the February 20, 2013, Minutes as presented and to correct the spelling of “Le Bre” Management to “L’Abri” Management on the February 13, 2013 Minutes. Motion carried, 5-0. Ms. Laster advised that the Committee’s packets this evening include the remaining PCI sheets for the proposed Public Works projects, and e-email exchanges from Ms. Laster and Brenda Magaña at Orange County Fair Housing Council with letters from three different apartment associations recommending that the City of Orange fund the Orange County Fair Housing Council. Ms. Laster advised that she asked Fair Housing Foundation if they had any issues with the three apartment associations; and stated their response was they had no relationship with these agencies. She pointed out that none of the letters called out Fair Housing Foundation as being a poor agency, that they simply indicated they would recommend that Orange fund the Orange County Fair Housing Council. Committee Member Perez mentioned that she works for a mental health agency and that she received a phone call today at her workplace from someone who had negative feedback about the Orange County Fair Housing Council, stating that the Orange County Fair Housing Council had not provided them with the help they were seeking. CDBG Minutes March 13, 2013 Page 2 of 8 Ms. Laster stated it is not unusual to receive that type of call regarding the Orange County Fair Housing Council. She pointed out that the City is funding a contract to have Orange residents (tenants and landlords) assisted, and that performance has been lacking. She distributed copies of the Orange County Fair Housing Council’s Quarterly Performance Reports and reviewed the first quarter report submitted for the period of July 1, 2012, through September 30, 2012. She noted that Page 2 of 5 lists addresses where different events were held, which were noted as being accessible to Orange residents. However, she commented that those events/seminars were outside the City of Orange, noting that the Orange is looking for an agency that conducts events in Orange for the convenience of its residents. She added that there is no record that the Orange County Fair Housing Council publicized these events/seminars to Orange residents. She highlighted Page 5 of 5, which shows various errors, such as their statistics, and a mistake on the period of time that was covered on the attachment to the Issues page. She noted that the Fair Share chart, which shows the percentage of the budget that each locality is paying, reflects that the agency is 4.4 percent underfunded; and she stated it is not an efficient use of City staff time to correct the agency’s errors. She mentioned that the Orange County Fair Housing Council did conduct one presentation in the City of Orange during the year. However, it was arranged by City Code Enforcement staff member, Ryan Hale, who sent the meeting notices to various Cities’ and Counties’ Code Enforcement Departments. Ms. Laster distributed a survey of Orange County cities that currently contract with the Fair Housing Foundation, and highlighted the comments from each person she contacted; She added that the Fair Housing Foundation prepares the flyers and publicizes local meetings for all of the meetings in the contract cities; and stated that everyone she contacted is very satisfied with the Fair Housing Foundation’s services and performance. Ms. Laster noted that she followed up with the Executive Director of the Fair Housing Foundation regarding complaints that the L’Abri Management representative presented during the Orange County Fair Housing Council’s presentation at a previous Committee meeting. She distributed a list that included the type of allegation, the city in which the property is located, and the resolution of the complaint. She stated that the Executive Director of the Fair Housing Foundation advised her that any time a tenant calls with a complaint; it is the agency’s responsibility to follow up and find out if it is a valid/accurate complaint. Ms. Laster advised that the Executive Director of Fair Housing Foundation stated if the allegation is valid, the agency finds a way to resolve or mediate the issue. Ms. Laster highlighted the cases on this list and how they were resolved; pointed out a complaint that was upheld in court in which a tenant was awarded a substantial sum of money, and another case that was referred to the Department of Fair Employment and Housing for further consideration. She added that these cases go back to 2005, noting that the documentation provided by the Director of the Fair Housing Foundation does not support the L’Abri Management representative’s allegations that Fair Housing Foundation has filed frivolous lawsuits against L’Abri Management. The Committee thanked Ms. Laster for reaching out to the contract cities for input and for the detailed information provided to the Committee. Ms. Laster stated the Committee’s packet also includes the report card for all of the nonprofits; and explained that some have not submitted their payment requests yet because the quarterly report forms had only recently been sent out to those agencies. She CDBG Minutes March 13, 2013 Page 3 of 8 highlighted the updated current allocations list; the 5-year CDBG Funding History; the Action Plan table that shows the goals for each year’s Action Plan, the Consolidated Plan Goals and Priorities, the Target Groups, and the 5-Year Objectives for each year and the goals met. Ms. Laster advised that Orange expects a 5 percent decrease in CDBG funding for the next fiscal year. Committee Member Rico asked if there will be any rebudgeted funds. Ms. Laster stated that $150,000 from prior year funds is available for rebudgeting, but added that those funds can only be used for capital projects. III.DISCUSSION OF FY 2013-14 CDBG FUNDING REQUESTS Ms. Laster stated that because of the anticipated reduction in CDBG funds, she and the City Manager’s and Public Works Department’s staffs discussed reducing funding for Public Works projects because the City wants to fund as many nonprofits as it can in the Public Facilities/Improvements/Rehabilitation category; advised that Public Works indicated that some of the Public Works projects can be postponed or receive reduced funding to increase funding for the nonprofits in this category. Ms. Laster explained that because the City’s rehabilitation program has been closed down, she asked Paint Your Heart Out to increase its request to $30,000, but because of the expected 5 percent cutback, all have agreed to reduce that agency back to its original request of $20,000. She noted that Public Works staff has indicated they will suspend the ADA wheelchair ramp projects for one year, saving $120,000, and reduce the request for the Palm Avenue project by $1,353 for a reduced project total of $259,118 to allow full funding of the two nonprofits if the Committee agrees: HOMES at $9,700 and Paint Your Heart Out at $20,000. Committee Member Rico stated that Public Works decision to suspend the $120,000 ADA ramp improvements for a year is very significant. In response to the Committee’s inquiry, Ms. Laster stated the City has been funding ADA ramps with CDBG funding for many years and that since 2008, the allocation to those ADA projects is $623,740 of CDBG funding. IV.FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013-2014 CDBG PROGRAM AND HOME PROGRAM MOTION: Committee Member Scott moved, seconded by Committee Member Rico, to allocate $798,260 to the following Public Facilities/Improvements/Rehabilitation, City Departments, Public Works projects: $259,118 -Palm Avenue Overlay - Main Street to Batavia Street; $151,125 - James Street Overlay - Chapman Avenue to Palmyra Avenue; 91,644 - Victoria Drive Reconstruction - Mayfair Avenue to North End; $91,644 - Shirley Drive Reconstruction - Mayfair Avenue to North End; 154,394 - Malena Drive Overlay - Chapman Avenue to North End; $25,463 - Bennett Avenue Overlay - Malena Drive to West End; $24,872 - Sherman Avenue Overlay.- Malena Drive to West End; and Zero dollars to ADA Wheelchair Access Ramps - various locations. CDBG Minutes March 13, 2013 Page 4 of 8 Motion carried, 5-0. MOTION:Committee Member Rico moved, seconded by Committee Chairperson Perez, to allocate $29,700 to the Public Facilities/Improvements and Rehabilitation, Nonprofit Agencies as follows: $9,700 for Helping Our Mentally Ill Experience Success (HOMES), Inc. -Riley House Rehabilitation; and $20,000 for Paint Your Heart Out, Inc. -Orange Paint Day. Motion carried, 5-0. Ms. Laster stated that the administration budget cap will be $216,296 based upon an assumed 5 percent reduction in CDBG funding, explaining that two options are to be considered for Administration, Nonprofit Agencies: Fair Housing Foundation request for $24,522, which is the current year’s allocation for the Orange County Fair Housing Council; and the Orange County Fair Housing Council request for $22,560. Committee Member Rico stated there is a preponderance of information to suggest that the Committee will be supportive of funding the Fair Housing Foundation; pointed out that one of the issues the Committee has talked about over the years is HUD’s encouragement to give money to different organizations so it is not assumed being granted every year to any one particular returning agency; and stated this is a good place/time to make this change. MOTION: Committee Chairperson Perez moved, seconded by Committee Member Manning, to allocate $216,296 to Administration as follows: $191,774 to City Departments, Community Development, Program Administration (with Fair Housing Foundation contract);and $24,522 for Nonprofit Agencies - Fair Housing Foundation. Motion carried, 5-0. Addressing Member Manning’s inquiry, Ms. Laster stated if HUD cuts more than 10 percent, the Committee may have to reconvene to make that adjustment. Committee Member Tunstall suggested cutting a certain percentage across the board on those chosen for CDBG funding if the cuts are more than anticipated. MOTION: Committee Member Rico moved, seconded by Committee Member Scott, to still fund the Fair Housing Foundation at its current funding even if the cutback is more than 10 percent; and to reconvene the CDBG Committee if the cutback is more than the anticipated 10 percent. Motion carried, 5-0. CDBG Minutes March 13, 2013 Page 5 of 8 Committee Member Manning stated she would like to fully fund the Assistance League of Orange, noting this agency runs a great program for Orange residents with all volunteers. In response to Member Rico’s inquiry, Ms. Laster clarified that there is an estimated shortfall of $948 for Public Services even before considering the nonprofit agencies. Committee Member Rico questioned how they are to fund the Assistance League of Orange if there is already a shortage of funding; he highlighted the 5-year funding history, noting the Police Bike Team has consistently received funding; and stated he would prefer to cut a little from the Bike Team’s $120,000 request in order to fund a nonprofit in this Public Services category. Ms. Laster stated that the Police Bike Team has been awarded $600,000 for the last five years by CDBG. Committee Member Rico suggested the difference be made up through the City’s General Fund. Ms. Laster noted her concern with not funding any nonprofits from this category, but noted at least there are two nonprofits being funded in the Public Facilities category. Committee Member Rico noted his discomfort with not funding any nonprofit agencies in the Public Services category. Ms. Laster mentioned that the Friendly Center is operating the After-School Community Programs for the City, so that agency is operating the programs as a nonprofit agency. Committee Member Rico stated it is still a City program. Ms. Laster noted that this program is operated under a contract between the City and the Friendly Center. Committee Member Manning asked if the employees are paid from the City’s budget. Ms. Laster indicated that that a couple years ago Council decided to contract out this program and not use any General Fund monies; and advised that the Friendly Center had to leverage as much money as it could to operate this program, noting the Friendly Center works very hard to find ways to leverage the $43,170 CDBG allocation. Committee Chairperson Perez stated she would like to fund Assistance League of Orange for $5,000, taking the difference from the Police Bike Team request. Ms. Laster stated if that is the Committee’s desire, it would require reducing the Bike Team allocation by $5,948. The Committee expressed its belief the children of Orange need the Assistance League’s program and that the General Fund should be used to cover the difference with the Police Bike Team program. CDBG Minutes March 13, 2013 Page 6 of 8 Ms. Laster mentioned that the Friendly Center is the agency that raises all the funding to operate the After-School Community Programs and their staff is running the program; and that City staff makes the CDBG presentation oversees the program. Committee Member Scott stated she would have hoped to assist the Council on Aging, noting her support of their efforts with long-term care facilities; and she pointed out that most of those residents do not have family members to help them when needed. Committee Chairperson Perez explained that the State does have a program to oversee the long-term care facilities. Committee Member Scott pointed out that the representative stated their funding had been cut. Committee Chairperson Perez stated they would still have to run an Ombudsman Program for all the facilities. Committee Member Scott noted her concern that they have limited funding to adequately support that Ombudsman Program. Committee Member Rico stated the representative indicated their program is being done with some volunteers. Ms. Laster added that the State had reinstated part of that agency’s funding. Committee Chairperson Perez stated that even though it may take a while to get help to this Ombudsman Program, the older adults program at her workplace works closely with the Ombudsman Program; and advised that this older adults program recently assisted with a complaint for one of the long-term care homes. Committee Member Manning pointed out there is a short period of time for complaints to be addressed. Committee Chairperson Perez stated she would prefer to see the funding to secure the safety of the city before funding this ombudsman program. Committee Member Manning mentioned there has been a huge increase in break-ins in Orange during the daytime hours. Committee Member Rico stated that with the reality of the reduced budget, Operation School Bell is the last group he would like to see reduced in funding even though he would like to give money to the Council on Aging Orange County. Committee Member Manning mentioned that the Women’s Club has adopted the Friendly Center, with all of its flower show profits going to the Friendly Center for its programs. The Committee stated there is little choice but to reduce the funding for the Police Bike Team program. CDBG Minutes March 13, 2013 Page 7 of 8 Committee Member Scott urged the Committee members to be in attendance at the April City Council meeting to support the decisions made this evening. MOTION:Committee Member Tunstall moved, seconded by Committee Member Manning, to allocate $162,222 to the Public Services, City Departments, as follows: $43,170 for Public Services, City Departments - Community Services, After-School Community Programs at El Camino Real, Killefer, Prospect/Grijalva Community Park Programs;and $114,052 for Public Services, City Departments - Police, Bike Team Program. Motion carried, 5-0. MOTION:Committee Member Tunstall moved, seconded by Committee Member Manning, to allocate $5,000 to Assistance League of Orange -Operation School Bell, with no other nonprofit in this category receiving funding. Motion carried, 5-0. The Committee agreed to have staff proportionately reduce the funding allocations if necessary and to reconvene if the reduction is more than 10 percent. Ms. Laster discussed the FY 2013-14 HOME Investment Partnerships Act (HOME) Program Funding Distribution by Category: Administration (10 percent), Community Housing and Development Organizations (CHDO) (15 percent), and Capital Developer Allocation (75 percent). She noted that the figures assume a 5 percent funding reduction from the current grant, adding that HOME funds are used for affordable housing projects that are identified during the year. MOTION:Committee Chairperson Perez moved, seconded by Committee Member Scott, to authorize staff to allocate the FY 2013-14 HOME funds as follows: $216,967.50 to Capital Developer Allocation; $43,393.50 to Community Housing and Development Organizations; and $28,929.00 to Administration. Motion carried, 5-0. Ms. Laster advised that City Council will be considering the Committee’s recommendations on April 23rd at 4:30 P.M., and she thanked the Committee members for their efforts once again this year. CDBG Minutes March 13, 2013 Page 8 of 8 IV. PUBLIC COMMENT None. V.ADJOURNMENT At 8:15 P.M. the meeting was formally adjourned.