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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-26-2011 CDBG MinutesCDBG Minutes January 26, 2011 Page 1 of 3 CITY OF ORANGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM COMMITTEE MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2011 6:30 P.M. Economic Development Conference Room MEMBERS PRESENT Mary Ellen Manning Fernando Rico Gina Scott Robert Tunstall Alternate Darren Smith MEMBERS ABSENT Eva Perez STAFF PRESENT Mary Ellen Laster Aaron Schulze I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:36 P.M. II. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON Committee Member Scott nominated Fernando Rico to serve as the Community Development Block Grant Committee Chairman. Alternate Committee Member Smith seconded the motion. Without objection, Fernando Rico was elected as the Community Development Block Grant Committee Chairman. Motion carried, 5-0. Chairman Rico congratulated Robert Moya on his promotion as the Interim Budget Officer in the Finance Department and commended him for his hard work on this Committee. The Committee echoed those sentiments. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MARCH 3, 2010 Committee Member Manning moved, seconded by Committee Member Scott, to approve the March 3, 2010, Minutes as presented. Committee Member Tunstall abstained as he was not present at the March 3 meeting. Motion carried, 4-0. IV. REVIEW OF FY 2010-2011 CDBG ACTIVITIES Per the Committee’s request, Ms. Laster waived review of the Objectives of the CDBG Program, the members stating staff has made it very clear throughout the years what the objectives, goals and eligibility requirements are. CDBG Minutes January 26, 2011 Page 2 of 3 In response to a question from Chairman Rico, Ms. Laster noted that an updated Subrecipient Status Report will be provided at the next meeting, which reflects how the agencies have performed this year in meeting their obligations. She added that Rebuilding Together Orange County did not apply this year because it did not spend the allocated funds for the prior year. V. REVIEW OF FY 2011-12 CDBG FUNDING REQUESTS Ms. Laster reviewed the Committee’s schedule for the FY 2011-12 funding cycle. She pointed out that the Public Works staff has provided maps showing where all the proposed improvements will be located. She added that the potholes in the alleys have caused a lot of damage to vehicles in the low-mod areas, noting that the necessary improvements in these areas qualify for CDBG funding. In response to a question from Alternate Committee Member Smith, Ms. Laster stated that the proposed alley projects are restricted to City -owned alleys. She added that the Public Works Department will include documentation during its presentation to the Committee. Ms. Laster advised that the funding amount for FY 2011-12 is not known at this time, but stated it is expected to be similar to the 2008 grant, which was $1,313,786, slightly down from last year’s funding level. She added that if there are carryover monies available, those monies will be allocated to the capital improvement projects. She explained that once the Committee gets closer to its deliberations, it can discuss if it will proportionately decrease or increase the allocations depending on the final CDBG funding for this cycle. Ms. Laster noted that Orange Elderly Services is the only new agency to apply for funding this year; and stated that they are requesting funds to replace their kitchen/cooking equipment. She added that they are also doing some fund- raising to cover the replacement of chairs, which does not qualify for CDBG funding. Ms. Laster noted that Lestonnac Free Clinic is applying again this year, pointing out that the agency now requires income verifications for its clients. She reminded the Committee that this agency was directed to submit additional documentation to the Committee last year, but because they had not provided any of the requested information, they were not funded last year. Ms. Laster briefly highlighted the funding requests from the agencies and the City departments. She mentioned that H.O.M.E.S. has been absorbed by Jamboree Housing. Ms. Laster pointed out that the application review process has been made a little easier, because the agencies have been asked to highlight which pages certain information can be found. CDBG Minutes January 26, 2011 Page 3 of 3 Ms. Laster noted that the Fair Housing Council is asking for less than last year, reminding the Committee that this agency bases its funding requests on the service demand in the City for the current fiscal year. Chairman Rico stated that his company is working on the audio visual system in the Grijalva Sports Center, inquiring whether he will need to recuse himself from consideration of the after school program at this center. Ms. Laster stated that because Chairman Rico is not financially benefiting from the after school programs and because the after school program is completely separate from the operation of the gym, she does not believe there is a conflict of interest but stated she will confer with the City Attorney. VI. PUBLIC COMMENT None. VII. ADJOURNMENT At 7:08 P.M. the meeting was formally adjourned.