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03-07-2018 CDBG MinutesCDBG Minutes March 7, 2018 Page 1 of 8 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 CDBG Minutes March 7, 2018 Page 2 of 8 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. CDBG Minutes March 7, 2018 Page 3 of 8 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. CDBG Minutes March 7, 2018 Page 4 of 8 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 CDBG Minutes March 7, 2018 Page 5 of 8 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. CDBG Minutes March 7, 2018 Page 6 of 8 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. CDBG Minutes March 7, 2018 Page 7 of 8 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 CDBG Minutes March 7, 2018 Page 8 of 8 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.