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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-03-2010 CDBG MinutesCDBG Minutes March 3, 2010 Page 1 of 6 CITY OF ORANGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM COMMITTEE MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2010 6:30 P.M. Economic Development Conference Room MEMBERS PRESENT Mary Ellen Manning Eva Perez Fernando Rico Gina Scott Alternate Darren Smith MEMBERS ABSENT Robert Tunstall STAFF PRESENT Mary Ellen Laster Robert Moya Aaron Schulze I.CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:43 P.M. II.APPROVAL OF MINUTES – FEBRUARY 24, 2010 Committee Member Scott moved, seconded by Alternate Committee Member Smith, to approve the February 24, 2010 Minutes as presented. Motion carried, 5-0. III.PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING CITY OF ORANGE FY 2010-11/2014-15 CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND 2010-11 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN Ms. Laster stated that the Committee had been provided for their review a copy of the FY 2009-10 allocations for the current fiscal year and the four-year funding allocations history. Mr. Moya distributed an updated FY 2009-10 Subrecipient Status Report that reflected expenditure and beneficiary data to-date. He noted that the difference between this report and an earlier version is that HOMES has expended its full allocation and that Friendly Center, YWCA, and WTLC have submitted reimbursement for additional expenditures. Ms. Laster asked that the Committee Members turn in their 2010-15 Consolidated Plan Community Development Needs Surveys if they have not already done so, adding that various nonprofits were asked to distribute this survey to their clients; and she mentioned that Mr. Schulze translated this document into Spanish. She advised that the Committee had also been given a copy of the Consolidated Plan Priorities, Five-Year Objectives, and Annual Goals CDBG Minutes March 3, 2010 Page 2 of 6 for FY 2005-06 through FY 2009-10, noting this same format will be used for the next five-year period; and stated that the only change will be to remove reference to the First-Time Homebuyers program because it is no longer a viable program in this economy. Ms. Laster advised that she spoke with the City’s HUD representative today; that HUD has not yet released the grant amounts for FY 2010-11, noting that Orange will anticipate the same funding level as last year; that the Committee will use the current FY 2009-10 grant amount as a basis for the FY 2010-11 recommendations; and that staff will proportionately increase or decrease the allocations for the agencies depending on the final grant amount. Ms. Laster announced that Mr. Moya will be projecting this year’s FY 2010-11 Community Development Block Grant program on a screen with the use of Excel, noting it will be much easier for the Committee to do its accounting. Committee Member Scott noted her apprehension to spending $100,000 for street lighting, questioning how it qualifies for CDBG funding. Ms. Laster advised that these lights will be placed in a low income, multi-family area that currently has insufficient street lighting; and added that this is a high priority of the City Council. She added that the redevelopment agency will be providing an additional $300,000 in funding for Old Towne street lights and $90,000 for another street lighting project. Committee Member Rico commented that he believes the street light project in the low income area is a needed enhancement and improvement to this neighborhood. IV.DISCUSSION OF FUNDING REQUESTS Ms. Laster confirmed for Committee Member Rico that HUD advised her that the funding allocation for FY 2010-11 is not expected to be lower than the current grant amount, reiterating that the funding allocations can be proportionately increased or decreased depending on what this figure ultimately ends up being. She added that funding for the ADA Access Ramps project can be reduced if the Committee chooses. Ms. Laster noted for Alternate Committee Member Smith that Public Works has listed its projects in order of priority. Committee Member Rico noted his preference to give 100 percent of the requested amounts to the nonprofits under Public Facilities and to reduce the allocation to the ADA Access Ramps project as needed. The Committee was in concurrence with this request. The Committee noted its disappointment with the representatives from Lestonnac Free Clinic not following through with providing the requested information and with not returning staff’s calls; and the Committee asked staff CDBG Minutes March 3, 2010 Page 3 of 6 to encourage this agency to apply for funding next year now that it is aware of what is required of them to conform to the requirements of this program. V.FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011 CDBG PROGRAM AND HOME PROGRAM MOTION:Alternate Committee Member Smith moved, seconded by Committee Member Scott, to reduce the allocation to the ADA Access Ramps from $200,000 to $163,020, and allocate the $36,980 difference toward the nonprofit agencies’ projects. Motion carried, 5-0. MOTION:Alternate Committee Member Smith moved, seconded by Committee Member Scott, to allocate to the Public Facilities/Improvements/Rehabilitation, Nonprofit Agencies as follows: $9,980 for Helping Our Mentally Ill Experience Success (HOMES), Inc. --Riley House Rehabilitation; $7,000 for Olive Crest Treatment Centers, Inc. –Wheeler House Refurbishment;and $20,000 for Paint Your Heart Out, Inc.,Orange Paint Day. Motion carried, 5-0. MOTION:Committee Chairperson Perez moved, seconded by Alternate Committee Member Smith, to allocate the following funds to the Public Facilities/Improvements/Rehabilitation, City Departments -- Public Works projects subtotaling a revision of $959,416: $123,000 for Palmyra Avenue Overlay – James Street to Esplanade Street; $43,330 for Norwood Street Overlay – Burly Avenue to Palmyra Avenue; $27,250 for Burly Avenue Overlay – Norwood Street to east end; $22,720 for Alanda Avenue Overlay from Norwood Street to east end; $100,000 for Old Towne Lighting Improvements – Almond Avenue from Olive Street to Cypress Street, Lemon Street from Almond Avenue to Palmyra Avenue; $131,970 for Lemon Street Overlay – Palmyra Avenue to La Veta Avenue; $150,800 for Olive Street Localized Reconstruction – Palm Avenue to Maple Avenue; $197,320 for Lemon Street Localized Reconstruction – Palm Avenue to Maple Avenue; and $163,026 for ADA Access Ramps – New Construction Citywide. Motion carried, 5-0. CDBG Minutes March 3, 2010 Page 4 of 6 MOTION: Committee Chairperson Perez moved, seconded by Committee Member Rico, that if additional funding is ultimately received, the allocation to the ADA Access Ramps project be increased by up to $36,980. Motion carried, 5-0. MOTION: Committee Member Rico moved, seconded by Committee Chairperson Perez, to allocate $236,265 to Administration for City Departments - Economic Development, Program Administration. Motion carried, 5-0. MOTION: Committee Member Scott moved, seconded by Committee Member Rico, to allocate $28,780 for Nonprofit Agencies - Orange County Fair Housing Council. Motion carried, 5-0. MOTION: Committee Member Scott moved, seconded by Committee Chairperson Perez, to not fund Lestonnac Free Clinic – Bridge to Care. Motion carried, 5-0. The Committee concurred that should this clinic be able to income-qualify its clients, they would like to see this clinic come back to request future funding, believing it is a worthwhile agency that serves this community. The Committee reiterated their disappointment with this agency not following through. Committee Chairperson Perez, echoed by Committee Member Manning, stated she would like Assistance League of Orange to receive its full funding request because the clothing is needed by the children living in this community. Committee Chairperson Perez added that she would also like to see Friendly Center fully funded because of the direct services that the agency provides to this community; and to fully fund YWCA of Central Orange County because it receives much less funding than Mariposa and WTLC. The Committee expressed its desire to see this funding stay in the City as much as possible. MOTION:Committee Chairperson Perez moved, seconded by Alternate Committee Member Smith, to allocate a portion of $35,614 to the following nonprofit agencies: $6,000 to Assistance League of Orange --Operation School Bell; $10,000 to The Friendly Center, Inc. --Emergency Assistance and Supplemental Food Programs; $6,114 to Mariposa Women and Family Center --Mariposa Family Mental Health Counseling Program; $6,000 to Women’s Transitional Living Center, Inc. (WTLC) -- Independence from Dependence;and $7,500 to YWCA of Central Orange County --First Steps at Beverly’s House. CDBG Minutes March 3, 2010 Page 5 of 6 MOTION: Committee Chairperson Perez moved, seconded by Alternate Committee Member Smith, that if additional funding is ultimately received, that those funds first be used to fully fund Mariposa’s request and the remaining amount be allocated to WTLC, up to its full request. MOTION:Committee Member Rico moved, seconded by Committee Member Manning, to allocate the following funds to the Public Services, City Departments totaling $163,170: $43,170 for Public Services, City Departments -- Community Services, After-School Recreation Programs at El Camino Real, Killefer, Prospect/Grijalva Community Park Programs;and $120,000 for Public Services, City Departments -- Police, Bike Team Program. Motion carried, 5-0. Ms. Laster distributed the 2010-11 HOME Investment Partnerships Act Program, Funding Distribution by Category, noting that these funds are granted by HUD. She added that the City allocates HOME funds for housing projects that the City Council approves during the year; and she pointed out that the FY 2010-11 grant amount is also not known at this time. She asked the Committee to approve the following funding distribution for FY 2010-11 HOME Program based on the current year’s grant: Capital Developer Allocation, $488,008.50; CHDO, $97,601.70; and Administration, $65,067.80, for a total of $650,678.00. She added that these allocations will also be adjusted proportionately according to what the City ultimately receives. MOTION:Committee Chairperson Perez moved, seconded by Committee Member Rico, to continue with the same allocations as noted above for FY 2010-11. Motion carried, 5-0. On behalf of the Committee, Chairperson Perez commended and thanked staff for their outstanding work this year with this program, pointing out that their high standards and skilled work performance throughout the years make this Committee’s job much easier. The Committee also commended Recording Secretary Bothe for her thorough minute-taking of these meetings. Alternate Committee Member Smith suggested that the Committee Members also attend the City Council meeting wherein these deliberations will take place so the Committee can officially thank and commend staff for their fine work. MOTION: Committee Chairperson Perez moved, seconded by Committee Member Rico, to recognize Mary Ellen Laster, Robert Moya, and Aaron Schulze for an outstanding job this year, asking that a letter of commendation be placed in each of their personnel files. Motion carried, 5-0. CDBG Minutes March 3, 2010 Page 6 of 6 IV. PUBLIC COMMENT None. V.ADJOURNMENT At 8:03 P.M. the meeting was formally adjourned.