Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05041999 - D6 ontr Costa TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS � my FROM: Dennis M. Barry, AICP Director of Community Development DATE: May 4, 1999 SUBJECT: Recommendations for unallocated FY 1999/44 Community Development Black Grant funds SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATIONS(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS, 1 . ACCEPT staff recommendations on proposed use of $123,348 in unallocated FY 1.999/00 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds . 2 . APPROVE the allocation of $123,308 to project(s) as approved by the Board. 3 . AMEND the FY 1999/44 Action Plan to include approved project(s). FISCA MEACT No General Fund impact. All funds are provided to the County on a formula basis through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. BACKGROUND/REASON FOR RE OMMENDATIONS On April 27, 1999 the Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on the proposed use of FY 1999/00 CDBG funds . Subsequent to the hearing the Board adopted the FY 1999/44 Action Plan which details how CDBG funds will be allocated for affordable housing, economic development, infrastructure and public facility improvement, and public service programs that benefit low- and moderate-income persons . Of the funds available for allocation, $123,348 in FY 1999/44 CDBG remained unallocated. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: XX YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD 90MMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S) : ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED ,OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A UNANIMOUS (ABSENTr ,� ) TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AYES: NOES. ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact: Belinda Smith 335-1264 � � Original : Community Development ATTESTED / X64 > cc: CAO PHIL B CH OR, CLERK OF County Counsel THE BO RD OF SUPERVISORS ANIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY >r. - ,✓ : q. � - DEPUTY The Board directed staff to develop recommendations for the use of the unallocated funds in the following categories; affordable housing, economic development, public facility and infrastructure improvement. No additional funds may be allocated to public service programs due to the 15% statutory cap. Staff was directed to return to the Board on May 4, 1999 in order to meet required submission deadlines for the FY 1999/00 Action Plan. Allocation Process Consideration for the annual allocation of CDBG funds is generally based on a competitive application process. However, the Board at its discretion may allocate funds for a specific purpose based on emergency or urgent need. For example the Board allocated funds in FY 1995!99 for AC Transit Route 376 . This was based on a staff identified urgent need for transportation services in the Community of North Richmond. If funds are set aside for a particular use, such as job training and placement for youth, staff would issue a Request for Proposals . Applications would be submitted and evaluated consistent with the planning and evaluation process in place for the annual allocation cycle. The funds could also be allocated to the Housing Development Assistance Fund (HDAF) or the Economic Development Assistance Fund (EDRF) . These programs are already in place to provide resources for eligible housing and economic development projects as they arise during the program year. Staff Recommendations The following staff recommendations are consistent with goals and objective identified in the FY 1995-1999 Consolidated Plan. The recommendations are listed in priority order and are each recommended at for the full amount available. 1. Project: New Construction or renovation of building(s) to be used for Transitional Housing for families in East and West County. Funds would be limited to the purchase and installation of kitchen and bathroom fixtures, cabinets, lighting, or HVAC Systems. Amount: $123,308 Rational: On January 29, 1999 the Board of Supervisors approved a proposal to address the problem of Homeless Families and Children in Contra Costa County. The proposal included the following findings: The Homeless Continuum of Care has identified finding shelter for homeless children and their families as one of the most pressing homeless issues in the County. Reports from the Family and Human Service Committee have noted that community-based organizations have identified that the needs of homeless children and their families as a most urgent issue which is a key component in addressing homelessness in the County. i Muting the needs of homeless children must be one of the highest priorities of the Board of Supervisors in allocating its very limited resources. In addition the Board approved the following actions : Develop a plan of financing for the development of a housing facility for homeless children and their families ♦ Direct the County Administrator to identify all sources of funding that could be used for this facility and that could be used for matching funds for donations and immediately begin the process of applying for grants to assist in the funding this facility. 2 . Project: Job Access for CalWORKS Clients . Funds would be set aside to serve as matching funds for other grants related to CalWORKS projects that improve access to transportation and increase the availability of child care in communities with high percentages of CalWORKS clients such as North Richmond, San Pablo, Tara Rills and Ray Point. Funds would be limited to infrastructure improvements and public facility (child care)new construction or renovation. Amount. $123,308 Rational : Last year, Contra Costa County established a collaborative planning process through a forum known as the Contra Costa Transportation Alliance to develop a mobility support system for CalWORKS recipients moving from welfare to work. The Alliance has recently submitted to the Board of Supervisors for approval the Contra Costa County Transportation Action Plan. Included in the Alliance's recommendations for overcoming lack of transportation and access to transportation included a recommendations to ensure safe access ton transit via sidewalks, crosswalks, and RR crossings . The Alliance also identified as a priority reduction in travel time for bus trips, especially those combining child care drop-offs. In the January 1999 Contra Co to County united WaylRosp, Council Collaborati CommunityAs ment data indicated that there is a shortage of affordable child care slots in the County. The Assessment also stated that currently an estimated 3, 141 children are on wait lists for subsidized child care, the majority of which are in East and West County. 3 . Project - Economic Development Assistance Fund Amount. $123,308 Rational; The Economic Development Assistance {EDRF} fund is used as a tool for business attraction and related job creation. Funds are provided in terms of a loan to qualified businesses. Businesses must demonstrate that 51% of the jobs created must be held by and available to low-income residents without specialized training. This is an ongoing project and there is no start-up time involved. Efforts are current underway to more widely market the program.