03-07-2018 CDBG MinutesCDBG Minutes
March 7, 2018
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CITY OF ORANGE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM COMMITTEE (CDBG)
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2018
6:30 P.M.
Weimer Room, Orange City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF PRESENT
Mary Ellen Manning David Gillanders (Alternate) Mary Ellen Laster
Megan Penn
Eva Perez
Fernando Rico
Janice Mickelson-Weilmuenster
I.CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:45 P.M.
II.APPROVAL OF MINUTES – FEBRUARY 21, 2018
Committee Member Manning moved, seconded by Committee Member
Perez, to approve the February 21, 2018, Minutes as presented (absent
Alternate Committee Member Gillanders).
Motion carried, 5-0.
Ms. Laster highlighted the replacement pages/emails that were
distributed to the Committee Members this evening:
1) 2-page email from Family Promise of Orange County
representative Cyndee Albertson, dated March 7, 2018, explaining this
agency will now be losing the use of the location across the street from
City Hall at the end of April and that they have not yet secured a new
location in Orange.
Committee Member Manning advised that she met with Ms. Albertson to
discuss securing a new location; and explained that Ms. Albertson
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March 7, 2018
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informed her that Family Promise of Orange County is in the beginning
stage of negotiating with landlord Steve Garrison on securing a 5,000-
square-foot facility in Orange for their use, but as of this evening, there
has been no word from Ms. Albertson on whether Mr. Garrison has made
a final decision on the use of that facility. Committee Member Manning
explained that Ms. Albertson was told an answer needed to be provided
before this evening’s final CDBG meeting.
2)Revised table from Public Works, explaining that because
there is not enough money to complete all the proposed Public Works
projects, a revised application has been submitted, totaling $873,314;
that Public Works has decided to remove both the Sacramento Street
project -- from Mt. Vernon Avenue to South End -- and the Dana Avenue
project -- from Milford Street to East End; and that improvements will
only be made to the cul-de-sacs listed in the Sacramento Neighborhood
Street Rehabilitation project. Ms. Laster stated there are no changes to
the proposal for Palm Avenue Street Rehabilitation nor Maple
Neighborhood Street Rehabilitation, noting the Maple streets are in the
worst condition. She added that the Sacramento Street and Dana Avenue
project improvements will be done at a later time when additional
funding becomes available.
3)Five-Year Funding Allocation History chart, noting that this
year’s funding is not known at this time.
4)Subrecipient Status Report: stated that Fair Housing
Foundation has accomplished 52 percent of their goals as of 12/31/17 –
explained that H.O.M.E.S. typically undertakes their projects in the third
or fourth quarter of the year -- that Assistance League of Orange has not
yet billed for their activity, but stated they have clothed 111 children as
of 12/31/17; that they will clothe the remaining children in the third and
fourth quarter; and added that the report should be corrected to reflect
zero percent accomplished as of 12/31/17 -- that The Friendly Center has
assisted 948 recipients, exceeding their goal of 494 recipients as of
12/31/17; and that they have spent 67 percent of their funds -- that
Mariposa Women’s Family Center has spent 50 percent of their funds, but
explained that they have not been paid because they are not providing
the proper beneficiary documents to link those recipients to a CDBG-
funded counselor; and she stated she will contact this agency again to
obtain the necessary documentation. She reminded the Committee that
this agency will also be forced to move from its current location, adding
that the property owner has submitted plans for a new project on that
property.
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Committee Member Manning pointed out the shortage of available
facilities in Orange that can accommodate these agencies.
Committee Member Perez suggested these agencies seeking to relocate
look at some of the vacant units in the shopping centers.
Committee Member Manning pointed out the rents in the shopping
centers are likely too high for these agencies.
Ms. Laster mentioned that Mariposa Women’s Family Center has indicated
they served 18 people in the first quarter and 40 people in the second
quarter, but reiterated they are not providing the necessary backup
beneficiary documents which reflect a direct link to the volunteer
employees who are supervised by the funded CDBG position.
III. PUBLIC HEARING -- DISCUSSION OF FY 2018-19 ANNUAL ACTION
PLAN PRIORITIES
Ms. Laster stated that the city of Orange FY 2018-19 Action Plan Goals
sheet summarizes the goals the City is trying to meet with these CDBG
funds. She stated that 1) the Community Development goal is to
maintain and improve the quality of life in the community and to address
the needs of low and moderate income households; 2) that the Homeless
goal is to assist nonprofit agencies in providing necessary shelter and
services to reduce the number of homeless and those at risk of becoming
homeless; and 3) the goal to provide decent, safe, affordable, and
accessible housing. She added that these are the three goals the City has
set forth in the City’s 5-Year Consolidated Plan and also in the City’s
Action Plan, adding that they want to make sure the projects funded with
these monies meet one of these goals; and she advised that the
projects/programs before this Committee this year do meet this criteria.
Ms. Laster explained that HUD has directed staff to make its
recommendations using the same level of funding from last year; advised
that $150,000 from the contingency fund can be rebudgeted for Public
Facilities projects; and noted that the City expects to receive
approximately $894,214 for Public Facilities/Improvements/
Rehabilitation.
Both Members Manning and Rico advised that they toured the HomeAid
facility and were impressed with those operations and its close proximity
to the schools.
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Committee Member Perez asked what happens to the CDBG funds
granted to an agency if that agency is not able to secure a new location to
operate.
Ms. Laster explained that the agency would ultimately not receive those
funds.
Committee Member Manning reiterated that Ms. Albertson from Family
Promise of Orange County was told an answer regarding their securing an
Orange facility had to be given before this evening’s meeting.
IV. CONSIDERATION OF FY 2018-19 CDBG FUNDING REQUESTS
Ms. Laster explained as was done in prior years, the Committee may wish
to make its recommendations based on proportionately
decreasing/increasing the amounts funded to the agencies based on the
ultimate amount of money received from HUD. The Committee
Members agreed to proportionately reduce the funding if necessary.
Ms. Laster highlighted the 2-page recommendation sheets for this fiscal
year; advised that only 20 percent of the budget can fund
Administration; only 15 percent can fund Public Services; and the balance
will fund Public Facilities, Improvements, and Rehabilitation. She stated
that the total estimated grant is $1,294,944, with $150,000 in
contingencies that can only be used for Public Facilities projects.
V.FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018-2019 CDBG
PROGRAM AND HOME PROGRAM
MOTION: Committee Member Rico moved, seconded by Committee
Member Perez, to allocate $204,467 to Administration, City
Departments --Community Development, Program
Administration.
Motion carried, 5-0.
MOTION: Committee Member Rico moved, seconded by Committee
Member Perez, to allocate $24,522 for Nonprofit Agencies,
Fair Housing Foundation -- Orange Fair Housing Program.
Motion carried, 5-0.
MOTION: Committee Chair Mickelson-Weilmuenster moved, seconded
by Committee Member Rico, to allocate $250,000 to the
Public Facilities/Improvements/Rehabilitation,City
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Departments, Public Works -- ADA Wheelchair Access Ramps
at various locations.
Motion carried, 5-0.
MOTION: Committee Chair Mickelson-Weilmuenster moved, seconded
by Committee Member Rico, to allocate $140,760 to the
Public Facilities/Improvements/Rehabilitation, City
Departments, Public Works – Palm Avenue Street
Rehabilitation – Milford Street to Handy Street.
Motion carried, 5-0.
MOTION: Committee Chair Mickelson-Weilmuenster moved, seconded
by Committee Member Rico, to allocate $307,608 to the
Public Facilities/Improvements/Rehabilitation, City
Departments, Public Works – Maple Neighborhood Street
Rehabilitation – Shasta Street to Olympia Way and Spring
Street to Maple Avenue.
Motion carried, 5-0.
MOTION:Committee Chair Mickelson-Weilmuenster moved, seconded
by Committee Member Rico, to allocate $174,946 to the
Public Facilities/Improvements and Rehabilitation, City
Departments, Public Works –Sacramento Neighborhood
Street Rehabilitation – Mt. Vernon Avenue to Dana Avenue
Cul-de–Sacs between the 55 Freeway and Sacramento Street.
Motion carried, 5-0.
MOTION:Committee Member Perez moved, seconded by Committee
Member Manning, to allocate $16,750 to Public
Facilities/Improvements and Rehabilitation, Nonprofit
Agencies, Helping Our Mentally Ill Experience Success
(H.O.M.E.S.), Inc. --Riley House Roof Replacement.
Motion carried, 5-0.
MOTION:Committee Member Perez moved, seconded by Committee
Member Manning, to allocate $4,150 to Public
Facilities/Improvements and Rehabilitation, Nonprofit
Agencies, HomeAid Orange County –Family Care Center
Sewer Relining.
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Motion carried, 5-0.
MOTION:Committee Member Penn moved, seconded by Committee
Member Manning, to allocate $43,170 to the Public Services,
City Departments, Community Services -- After-School
Community Programs at El Camino Real, Grijalva, and
Killefer Park Programs.
Motion carried, 5-0.
MOTION:Committee Member Penn moved, seconded by Committee
Member Manning, to allocate $100,000 for Public Services,
City Departments -- Police, Bike Team Program, Community-
Oriented Policing.
Motion carried, 5-0.
Ms. Laster corrected the final tally available for Public Services Nonprofit
Agencies to be $28,571, not $34,087.
Discussion ensued with regard to the nonprofit agencies which have a
good record of submitting the required performance reporting
paperwork; and discussed fully funding both the Assistance League of
Orange and the Friendly Center, pointing out that the remaining $3,571 is
not enough to split between the two remaining agencies.
Committee Member Rico suggested funding $15,000 to the Assistance
League of Orange and funding $13,571 to the Friendly Center, reiterating
there is a limited amount of funding to grant all the agencies.
Committee Member Perez suggested taking $2,000 away from the
Friendly Center, which would give Mariposa approximately $5,000; and
stated she would not like to see the Assistance League uniform program
reduced.
Brief mention was made as to Mariposa’s poor performance reporting.
Committee Member Penn noted her support of Committee Member Rico’s
suggestion, suggesting that if the ultimate funding received is less than
anticipated, that the cut first be made from the extra sum granted to the
Friendly Center of $3,571; that once the additional sum of $3,571 has
been reduced because of the reduction in ultimate funding, that any
further need for reduction be taken proportionately from both nonprofit
agencies.
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March 7, 2018
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Committee Member Manning supported that suggestion.
MOTION: Committee Member Rico moved, seconded by Committee
Member Manning, to allocate $15,000 to Assistance League of
Orange --Operation School Bell.
MOTION:Committee Member Rico moved, seconded by Committee
Member Manning, to allocate $13,571 to the Friendly Center –
Community Food Orange.
Committee Member Perez reiterated her preference not to reduce the
funding for the Assistance League and that the money first be taken away
from the Friendly Center, stating the Friendly Center has more financing
resources and other providers than the Assistance League.
Committee Member Penn stated she would prefer the extra funding be
applied to a food program rather than a clothing program.
Committee Chair Mickelson-Weilmuenster reminded the Committee that
the Assistance League has a large annual fundraiser.
Committee Member Rico pointed out that the Assistance League is
already getting the largest share of the nonprofit funds.
The two above-mentioned motions carried as follows, 4-1:
AYES:Manning, Mickelson-Weilmuenster, Penn, Rico
NOES:Perez
ABSENT: Gillanders
No funding was granted to Mariposa Women and Family Center nor
Family Promise of Orange County.
Ms. Laster explained that the FY 2018-19 Home Investment Partnerships
Act Program, Funding Distribution by Category, is considered each year
by the Committee, noting this grant amount is also not known at this
time; and stated that the Committee is being asked to recommend staff
apply for these funds from HUD and to allocate this funding under the
three categories listed on this sheet. She advised that there is a 10-
percent cap for Administration; a 15-percent cap for Community Housing
and Development Organizations (CHDO); and that the remaining balance
goes to Capital Developer Allocation, noting these funds are used for
eligible affordable housing projects. She noted the most recent project is
the Lemon Street project next to Citrus Grove; and added that due to
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HUD’s strict regulations, it’s very difficult to spend these funds in a
competitive market.
MOTION:Committee Member Rico moved, seconded by Committee
Member Penn, to authorize staff to apply for this funding
and to allocate the FY 2018-19 funds for the Home
Investment Partnerships Act Program (HOMES) as follows:
$248,129.25 to Capital Developer Allocation;
$49,625.85 to Community Housing and Development
Organizations (CHDO); and
$33,083.90 to Administration, for a total of $330,839.00.
Motion carried, 5-0.
Ms. Laster thanked everyone for their participation this year and stated
she will send email reminders for when this goes before City Council.
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:00 P.M. the meeting was formally adjourned.