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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-2015 CDBG MinutesCDBG Minutes January 28, 2015 Page 1 of 4 CITY OF ORANGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM COMMITTEE MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015 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 I.CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:35 P.M. II.ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON Committee Member Manning nominated Fernando Rico to serve as Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Committee Chairman. Committee Member Perez seconded the motion. Without objection, Fernando Rico was elected as the Community Development Block Grant Committee Chairman for 2015. Motion carried, 3-0. III.APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MARCH 5, 2014 Committee Member Perez moved, seconded by Committee Member Manning, to approve the March 5, 2014, Minutes as presented. Motion carried, 3-0. IV. REVIEW OF FY 2014-15 CDBG ACTIVITIES Ms. Laster highlighted the current allocation breakdowns and commented on the list of street projects that received CDBG funding. The Committee Members noted their delight with the large amount of work they have witnessed being performed on the City’s streets this past year. CDBG Minutes January 28, 2015 Page 2 of 4 Ms. Laster advised that everything is progressing well; that the contract for HOMES was recently signed, and the agency is obtaining bids for the Riley House Rehabilitation project; that Olive Crest recently submitted their signed documents and are ready to start their Palm House Plumbing Refurbishment project; that she recently received the contract resolution for Orangewood Children’s Foundation - Beverly’s House Heating and Air Conditioning project, noting the agency will need to fix an error in the resolution and submit the Attachment “A” to the contract, which is the program description; and announced that Paint Your Heart Out is dissolving, noting the agency has not been able to secure enough funding to support their program. The Committee Members noted their disappointment that this agency is dissolving, stating they were pleased with that agency’s efforts. Committee Chairman Rico stated that with the demise of Paint Your Heart Out, it is his understanding that HOMES is the only agency applying under the Public Improvements category. Ms. Laster confirmed that that understanding is correct, noting that Olive Crest did not reapply this year. Ms. Laster noted that the After-School Community Programs are going well; but she explained that Friendly Center will no longer be able to operate the recreational component for the Parks and Recreation Department (Community Services Department) after this year, stating that the agency’s funding sources must be directed toward education and food programs. She reminded the Committee that the City Council directed this program to be contracted and not operated by City staff a few years ago. Committee Chairman Rico asked if Friendly Center has the budget to perform the artistic/recreational activities. Ms. Laster clarified that Friendly Center does have the budget for the educational component, but pointed out that other funding sources for that agency are specifically targeted for the food program and other programs the agency operates; and that most of those grants are focused on specific activities that do not allow for art and materials. Committee Chairman Rico asked if the City does not want Parks and Recreation (Community Services Department) employees to be performing those services. Ms. Laster noted that a few years ago, the Community Services Department was directed by City Council to contract the After-School Community Programs out to a nonprofit agency, that the contract agency has been Friendly Center for the past few years; and that Friendly Center will finish out the rest of the contract for the CDBG Minutes January 28, 2015 Page 3 of 4 current (fourth) year. She added that Friendly Center does not have the funding sources for recreation or art activities; and that the agency’s funding sources are geared to educational achievements. Ms. Laster mentioned that some schools operate their own after-school programs; and she reiterated that it will be up to City Council as to whether they wish to fund the After-School Community Programs. Committee Chairman Rico asked if there is an application for that program this year. Ms. Laster stated that the Community Services Department has submitted an application, but are not proposing to partner with Friendly Center; and she reiterated that Friendly Center’s grants restrict that agency to perform educational activities. Ms. Laster added that, if the City is interested in continuing the After- School Community Programs, it will be a General Fund issue whether City staff or Friendly Center conducts the Programs. Committee Chairman Rico asked when this discussion will take place. Ms. Laster stated it is the Community Services Department’s responsibility to contact the City Manager’s Office to address the future of these Programs. She confirmed for Committee Chairman Rico that Friendly Center has been staffing this program at the three parks for the past few years. (Clarification: Friendly Center is in the fourth year of a five-year contract.) Committee Chairman Rico stated that he recently read an article in the Orange County Register about the Tustin Boys and Girls Club trying to get a commitment from Orange to provide a facility in Orange to expand the Boys and Girls Club after-school programs, suggesting the City give this some consideration. Ms. Laster stated that the Orange Police Department Bike Team continues its work in the low-mod areas; stated that the Assistance League continues to submit their paperwork on time and with accurate information; that Friendly Center also continues to get their reports in on time and done with accuracy; and she noted that the timeliness and accuracy of the reports from Mariposa Women and Family Center and WTLC need improvement. She mentioned that Kathy Strong is currently on leave from WTLC. Committee Chairman Rico reiterated that there is only one nonprofit agency requesting funding under the Public Facilities category. Ms. Laster pointed out that the ADA ramp projects have been reduced every year due to the lack of funding; and stated that with the limited number of applicants this year, there may be enough funding to complete the proposed ADA ramp projects. CDBG Minutes January 28, 2015 Page 4 of 4 Ms. Laster announced that it may be necessary to add a meeting to address the City’s Five -Year Consolidated Plan, noting it needs to be updated; and explained that HUD has created a new computer program for this process, noting the program has experienced a number of computer glitches. She added that because of HUD’s new problematic program, the City issued an RFP for a consultant to handle this new process; and she mentioned that many cities have hired consultants to undertake this process. She added that the RFP deadline is next Monday for the City’s Five-Year Consolidated Plan; and that the Five-Year Consolidated Plan is due to HUD by May 15th. Ms. Laster announced that the February 4 CDBG meeting will be cancelled due to a lack of quorum, noting she will advise the nonprofit agencies that the meeting to hear their presentations will be rescheduled for February 11. V.REVIEW OF FY 2015-16 CDBG FUNDING REQUESTS Ms. Laster highlighted the application instruction tip sheets that were provided to agencies that attended the technical assistance meeting, noting it clearly instructs applicants how to submit a complete and accurate application. Ms. Laster mentioned that the application from Birth Choice Health Clinics has language that may pose a conflict between church and state; and noted that the agency’s director advised her that the name of that agency and mission statement have changed since the agency submitted its application. Ms. Laster noted for the Committee that the amount of the City’s FY 2015-16 CDBG funding allocation is still unknown at this time. Committee Chairman Rico asked how many agencies attended the application meeting. Ms. Laster estimated there were approximately 10 to 15 nonprofits at that meeting, stating she will provide the Committee with a list of the agencies that were invited to apply for FY 2015-16 CDBG funds. VI. PUBLIC COMMENT None. VII. ADJOURNMENT At 7:45 P.M. the meeting was formally adjourned.