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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-27-2016 CDBG MinutesCDBG Minutes January 27, 2016 Page 1 of 5 CITY OF ORANGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM COMMITTEE MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 6:30 P.M. Weimer Room, Orange City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF PRESENT Mary Ellen Manning Eva Perez Mary Ellen Laster Megan Penn Fernando Rico Janice Mickelson-Weilmuenster David Gillanders (Alternate) I.CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:36 P.M. II.ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON Committee Member Rico nominated Mary Ellen Manning to serve as Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Committee Chair. Alternate Committee Member Gillanders seconded the motion. Without objection, Mary Ellen Manning was selected as the Community Development Block Grant Committee Chair for 2016. Motion carried, 5-0. III.APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MARCH 4, 2015 Without objection, the approval of the March 4, 2015, Minutes were continued to the February 3, 2016, CDBG meeting. Staff and CDBG members welcomed the new members to this Committee and introductions were made by all in attendance. CDBG Minutes January 27, 2016 Page 2 of 5 Ms. Laster highlighted the limited number of nonprofits that have applied this year for CDBG funding and as a result, she noted that the Committee will not need to meet on February 10th; advised that the nonprofit agencies will present their requests at the February 3rd meeting; that the City Departments will present their requests at the February 17th meeting; that the February 24th meeting will be available if there is a need to add a meeting; and that the CDBG Committee will make its recommendations on March 2nd and then present those recommendations to City Council on April 12th. She advised that a new schedule eliminating the February 10th meeting will be emailed to all Committee Members. IV. REVIEW OF FY 2015-2016 CDBG ACTIVITIES Ms. Laster highlighted the current funding allocation distribution list for FY 2015-16. She explained that she conducts an informational meeting each year with nonprofit agencies to talk about the application process and what is expected; and that the agencies are made aware of the limited funding that is available each year. She added that historically, the bulk of the CDBG funding in the Public Services category is allocated to City Departments, which does not leave a lot in the Public Services- category for nonprofit agencies; stated that if a nonprofit agency has a facility that needs improvements, that they are encouraged to apply under the Public Facilities/Improvements/Rehabilitation category because there is no cap and it is a lot easier to compete for funding under that category. Ms. Laster explained that the City can only spend 20 percent of the CDBG grant for Administration; that the City is required by HUD to fund a fair housing program if it accepts CDBG funds; advised that for the last two years, the City has been funding the Fair Housing Foundation, which is based in Long Beach; explained that the City had some compliance issues with the prior agency, Fair Housing Council, and therefore terminated their contract; and noted that the Fair Housing Foundation has been an excellent partner in providing services for Orange residents. She mentioned that Fair Housing Foundation is funded out of the Administration category because it is permitted by HUD, which helps to secure a little more funding for the Public Services category. Ms. Laster informed the Committee that the ADA Wheelchair Access Ramps project has been funded over many years, noting the federal government changed its specifications for ADA ramps; and that many completed ramps will have to be redone to comply with CDBG Minutes January 27, 2016 Page 3 of 5 those new specifications. She added that the street and alleyway improvements are completed in primarily Low to Moderate Income neighborhoods; she briefly addressed the allocations awarded to the nonprofit agencies for FY 2015-16, noting these are all Orange- based nonprofit agencies; and stated that HOMES requests funding every year, noting they maintain their house very well. Ms. Laster stated that the Public Services category is capped at 15 percent of the City’s grant and is the most competitive category each year; she noted that nonprofit agencies should primarily benefit Low Income and/or Low Income residents of Orange; but she stated the Committee strives to fund nonprofit agencies that serve the Low Income residents of Orange. Ms. Laster reiterated there is limited CDBG funding available for nonprofit agencies and that it is difficult to fund a nonprofit when a large amount is being requested by that agency. V.REVIEW OF FY 2016-17 CDBG FUNDING REQUESTS Ms. Laster briefly reviewed each application. She stated that staff is working with the Assistance League on the documentation they are submitting, noting that HUD wants the agencies to maintain the income certification forms; and she stated that staff anticipates that situation will soon be addressed in order for Assistance League to expend their monies. She added that Assistance League serves Low Income families and that the eligibility of Operation School Bell is not an issue. Ms. Laster highlighted the application for Council on Aging Orange County, noting they are requesting $25,000, reiterating that these agencies are informed this category has a 15-percent cap and that it is very competitive due to the limited funding. Ms. Laster stated that this is the third year Fair Housing Foundation has requested $24,522; and advised that they have added a satellite office in Santa Ana. She noted for Committee Member Mickelson- Weilmuenster that in order for Orange to receive CDBG funds, they must have a federal fair housing agency. She added that the Fair Housing Foundation conducts walk-in clinics and provides one-on- one assistance. Ms. Laster highlighted the Friendly Center application; stated they are asking for the same amount as last year; and advised that they have two site locations. CDBG Minutes January 27, 2016 Page 4 of 5 Alternate Committee Member Gillanders asked if the Committee has ever not funded the Friendly Center. Ms. Laster stated it has been a very long time since the Committee has not funded this agency; stated that the Friendly Center is very responsive and helpful to the community; and added that there is no other agency doing the same work. She added that Orange previously received a Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re- Housing Program (HPRP) grant from HUD; advised that the Friendly Center worked very hard administer that Program and that they were ultimately able to assist some families with additional HPRP funds that other HPRP subgrantees were unable to expend. She mentioned that the HPRP program is no longer available. Ms. Laster advised that HOMES is requesting funding for a first- floor bathroom remodel, noting that you cannot tell it is a group home for the mentally ill because it is well-maintained. Ms. Laster briefly highlighted the application for Mariposa Women and Family Center. She noted for Alternate Committee Member Gillanders that this agency’s responsiveness with documentation submittals has improved. She explained that if an agency is unable to expend their awarded CDBG funds, those funds are recaptured by the City and placed into a contingency account which usually funds Public Facilities projects; and advised that those recaptured funds cannot be used for Public Services. Ms. Laster highlighted the application for Orange Elderly Services, reiterating that $35,000 is large request given the limited amount of CDBG funds; and she questioned whether this agency provides services that are different from the Meals on Wheels program. Committee Chair Manning advised that the City funds the Meals on Wheels program each month for salaries, etc.; and stated that the food comes from Food Serve. Ms. Laster highlighted the application for the Community Services After-School Recreation Program, which is also called the After- School Community Program; and stated that this program has operated for a number of years at three area parks. She explained that the City contracts with the Friendly Center to provide that service; stated that a few years back, the City Council did not want to continue funding City staff to run these programs; and stated that through the RFP process, the Friendly Center was awarded that CDBG Minutes January 27, 2016 Page 5 of 5 contract. She mentioned that if this Program is not funded by CDBG, it would have to compete for City General Fund monies. Ms. Laster briefly highlighted the application for the Bike Team and the three Public Works projects - 1) ADA Wheelchair Access Ramps; 2) Fern Neighborhood and Sewer Replacement; and 3) the Senior Center Ceiling Improvements. With regard to the Senior Center, she explained that the project cost may increase because asbestos testing will need to be done on the tiles; and that a structural engineer will need to determine if the existing T-bar system meets building code and is capable of supporting new tiles. Alternate Committee Member Gillanders requested that these studies be provided to the Committee before staff makes its presentation for the Senior Center project. Ms. Laster stated that she has already notified department staff that the asbestos report, T-bar report, and total cost of the project needs to be submitted before the presentation is made. She added that the cap placed on Administration (20%) and Public Services (15%) is required by HUD. VI. PUBLIC COMMENT None. VII. ADJOURNMENT At 7:45 P.M. the meeting was formally adjourned.