Legislation Details

File #: [19-0256]    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Discussion Item Status: Filed
File created: 9/13/2018 In control: Town Council
On agenda: 3/20/2019 Final action: 3/20/2019
Title: Public Forum: 2019-2020 Community Development Block Grant Program Plan.
Attachments: 1. Draft Staff Presentation, 2. Committee Recommended 2019-2020 Community Development Block Grant Program Plan, 3. Community Development Block Grant Eligibility, 4. Staff Presentation, 5. Council Questions with Staff Response

 

 

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Public Forum: 2019-2020 Community Development Block Grant Program Plan.

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Staff:

Department:

Loryn Clark, Executive Director

Housing and Community

Nate Broman-Fulks, Affordable Housing Manager

 

Renée Moye, Community Development Manager

 

 

Overview: Tonight the Council will receive public comment on a preliminary plan for use of 2019-2020 Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. This is the second of two required public forums. The Council held the first forum on November 7, 2018 <https://www.townofchapelhill.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/15026/15?curm=11&cury=2018>. Based on feedback received at the public forums and recommendations from the CDBG Application Review Committee, staff will recommend to Council a program plan at the April 10th meeting. Tonight we ask for the Council’s feedback on the preliminary program plan.

 

Recommendation(s):

That the Council open the public forum to receive and provide comments on a preliminary plan to use 2019-2020 Community Development Block Grant funds and refer comments and questions related to the use of funds to the Town Manager.

 

Key Issues:

•                     The preliminary plan includes an estimated allocation of $418,344 of grant funds (based on current funding level). Final plan adjustments will reflect the actual award amount and any program income received.  

•                     Eligible activities must:

Ø                     Serve households earning less than 80% of the Area Median Income ($64,500 for a household of 4). 

Ø                     Meet one of three National Objectives of the CDBG program:

§                     Benefit low/moderate income households; or

§                     Address an urgent need that poses a threat to health or safety in the community; or

§                     Prevent or eliminate slum or blight.

•                     A CDBG Application Review Committee included a representative from the Human Service Advisory Board, a representative from the Housing Advisory Board, and two members of Town staff (representatives from Business Management and Human Resource Development).

•                     The Committee met with each agency to review proposals on February 12, 2019 and developed its recommendation on February 20, 2019 during a public meeting.

 

Preliminary Spending Plan

•                     The preliminary plan developed by the Review Committee recommends funding for:

§                     Key Town projects: the Summer Youth Employment Program, code enforcement, neighborhood revitalization, and program administration.

§                     Continued support for affordable housing and community development programs operated by the Community Home Trust, Habitat for Humanity and the Inter-Faith Council (IFC).

 

•                     The Committee developed the following preliminary plan for use of funds:

 

 

•                     Notice of tonight’s forum was published in the Herald Sun, shared on the Town’s website, and distributed through the Town’s TownWeek electronic-news publications.

 

Fiscal Impact/Resources: The Town provides Community Development Block Grant funds to non-profit agencies for affordable housing and public service projects as grants. These funds would not be repaid to the Town.  

 

Where is this item in its process?

Next Steps

•                     On April 10, 2019, the Council will receive a staff-recommended CDBG Program Plan. 

•                     A Council-approved plan must be submitted to HUD by May 15, 2019 as part of the Annual Update to the 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan. The Town will compile and incorporate all comments received in writing and at public forums into the Community Development Annual Plan.

 

Council Goals:

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Create a Place for Everyone

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Develop Good Places,  New Spaces

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Support  Community Prosperity

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Nurture Our Community

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Facilitate Getting Around

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Grow Town  and Gown Collaboration

 

 

 

 

 

Attachments:

 

• Draft Staff Presentation

 

• Committee Recommended 2019-2020 Community Development Block Grant Program Plan

 

• Community Development Block Grant Eligibility

 

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The Agenda will reflect the text below and/or the motion text will be used during the meeting.

 

presenter

PRESENTER: Renée Moye, Community Development Program Manager

 

RECOMMENDATION: That the Council open the public forum to receive comments on a preliminary plan to use 2019-2020 Community Development Block Grant funds and refer comments and questions related to the use of funds to the Manager.