Title
Approve the draft Urban County Annual Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2015-2016, including recommendations for projects and programs to be funded, for issuance for a 30-day period of public review.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve the draft Urban County Annual Action Plan Fiscal Year 2015-2016, including recommendations for projects and programs to be funded, for issuance for a 30-day period of public review.
SUMMARY:
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has qualified Monterey County, and the Cities of Del Rey Oaks and Gonzales as an Urban County for entitlement purposes. To receive its annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant allocation, the Urban County must adopt an Annual Action Plan, including a description of eligible projects and programs to be funded, and submit it to HUD prior to May 15, 2015.
DISCUSSION:
The Monterey Urban County was awarded an allocation from HUD of $856,820 for the jurisdictions of Del Rey Oaks, Gonzales, and the unincorporated areas of the County of Monterey for FY 2013-14. The award amount for FY 2014-15 was $865,067. For FY 2015-16, the award is $896,616.
Each year, HUD recipients are required to submit an Action Plan to HUD which includes approved funding recommendations for projects, services, and administration. To satisfy that requirement, on December 3, 4, and 6, 2014, Notices of Funding Availability (NOFA) were published for CDBG funds for FY 2015-2016. On December 18, 2014, an application workshop for interested parties was held at the County Government Center. Seventeen applications for funding were received on or before the due date of January 23, 2015.
On January 13, 2015, the Board of Supervisors created a Standing Committee to review and recommend funding for County projects and services. Supervisors Phillips and Salinas were appointed to the Committee. On March 6, 2015, the Standing Committee reviewed the applications received for funding and made recommendations on those to be included in the Annual Action Plan.
After the Board of Supervisors takes action, the Annual Action Plan will be made available for public comment for a period of 30 days. The Annual Action Plan will then be brought back to the Board on May 12, 2015 for review of public comments and approval. It is then submitted to HUD for final approval. A copy of the final approved Urban County Annual Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 will be made available on each participating jurisdiction's website and a hard copy will be available at the Economic Development Department and Gonzales and Del Rey Oaks City Halls immediately thereafter.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Cities of Del Rey Oaks and Gonzales partnered with the County to become a HUD designated Urban County. Each City approved applications for projects located in their jurisdictions. County staff made recommendations for county projects to the Standing Committee. Staff from the two cities and the county made recommendations to the Standing Committee in regard to programs. On March 6, 2015, the Standing Committee reviewed the applications and made recommendations on funding that are included in the Urban County Annual Action Plan. County Counsel has reviewed the Annual Action Plan as to form.
FINANCING:
The HUD grant is a five (5) year agreement, funded annually. Funding for FY 2015-16 has been awarded in the amount of $896,616. If the County complies with the grant, the County may elect to continue to receive annual entitlement funding, subject to the federal budget process.
The grant has been budgeted in the FY 2015-16 recommended budget in Fund 13, Unit Code 8200 (Community Development Grants), Appropriation Code DEO 003.
Prepared by:
_________________________________
Jane Royer Barr
Program Manager, Ext. 5389
Approved by:
_________________________________
David L. Spaur, CEcD, EDFP
Economic Development Director Ext. 5387
Attachment: Draft Annual Action Plan for FY 2015-16
Attachment on file with Clerk of the Board Office