Title
a. Conduct a Public Hearing to take comments on the draft Urban County Community Development Block Grant Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for FY2017-18;
b. Approve the Urban County Community Development Block Grant Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for FY2017-18 for submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development;
c. Authorize the County Administrative Officer to make minor changes to the report as needed or in response to comments from HUD; and,
d. Amend the Citizen Participation Plan to comply with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations for public noticing requirements.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Conduct a Public Hearing to take comments on the draft Urban County Community Development Block Grant Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for FY2017-18;
b. Approve the Urban County Community Development Block Grant Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for FY2017-18 for submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development;
c. Authorize the County Administrative Officer to make minor changes to the report as needed or in response to comments from HUD; and,
d. Amend the Citizen Participation Plan to comply with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations for public noticing requirements.
SUMMARY:
By partnering with the cities of Gonzales, Greenfield, and Sand City, Monterey County qualifies for designation as a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Urban. This designation allows the Urban County to receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program funds directly from HUD. The County is required to prepare an Annual Action Plan. It is further required to report annually to HUD on its implementation of the Plan and its progress in achieving it as well as the long-term goals contained in the Consolidated Plan. The Board is asked to approve the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), which is mandated by HUD for reporting and evaluating Urban County performance.
DISCUSSION:
During FY2017-18, the Urban County had $1,650,550 available and expended $1,237,264. Funding was composed of a $1,222,025 grant from HUD, $7,345 in loan repayments, and $421,180 carried forward from activities funding in the prior year but not completed.
In September 2017, HUD accepted the Urban County's Annual Action Plan for the FY2017-18 CDBG program. Pursuant to the Action Plan, CDBG grant funds were allocated for projects and programs in the unincorporated areas of the County and in the Cities of Gonzales. Greenfield and Sand City deferred their FY2017-18 allocation to FY2018-19 to undertake larger projects. The FY2017-18 Action Plan allocated 45% of available funding for infrastructure and facility improvements, 12% for public services, 6% for affordable housing, and 12% for grant administration. The remaining funds were carried forward to FY2018-19 to augment funding for projects in Greenfield and Sand City.
To implement CDBG funded programs, the County issued a Notice of Funding Availability, selected Subrecipients for funding, completed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process, and entered into Agreements for four projects and eight service programs.
The County's Urban County accomplishments are summarized for the Board in this report.
During FY2017-18, the Urban County used CDBG funds to address the priorities and specific objectives identified in its strategic plan and gave special attention to the highest priority activities. The Urban County used CDBG funds to meet community needs in five areas as follows:
• Affordable Housing - grants to GRID Alternatives and Habitat for Humanity to subsidize installation of solar electric systems and make minor home repairs on homes owned by low/moderate income households.
• Public Facilities - grants to Interim, Inc. for construction of new facilities at the Bridge House at Shelter Cove and to the City of Gonzales to make Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements to the City Council Chambers building and City Hall.
• Fair Housing - two grants, one to Legal Services for Seniors and one to the Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity, to provide fair housing counseling services, investigate fair housing complaints, and educate the public and government officials on fair housing issues.
• Homeless Services - one grant to Rancho Cielo to provide counseling services to youth and young adults at-risk of homelessness.
• Other Services - two grants, one to the Boy and Girls Club and one to Girls Inc., to provide supportive and educational afterschool programs in Gonzales and Castroville; one grant to Central Coast YMCA to provide adult and youth programs at Pajaro Park; and two grants to Monterey County Food Bank and Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley to improve food security for seniors in Castroville, Gonzales and Prunedale.
The purpose of the public hearing is to receive final comments on the CAPER for the Urban County's FY2017-18 CDBG program. In the absence of evidence and testimony to the contrary, it is recommended that the Board of Supervisors act to approve and authorize the County Administrative Office staff to submit the CAPER to HUD. A final copy of the CAPER will be made available to each participating jurisdiction for posting on their websites and a hard copy will be available at the County Administrative Office immediately thereafter.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Cities of Gonzales, Greenfield and Sand City were partners with the County in the Urban County.
FINANCING:
There is no financial impact on the General Fund associated with receiving this report.
The HUD Urban County CDBG grant is a three-year agreement which is funded annually. FY2017-18 was the second year of the cycle. HUD funding, program income and carried forward funds in the amount of $1,650,550 were available in FY2017-18. These funds were included in the Economic Development Department's FY2017-18 budget in Appropriations Unit DE0003, Fund 013, Budget Unit 8200 (Community Development Grants). There is no impact to the General Fund by approval of the CAPER.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Urban County funds were used to provide food security, continued homeownership affordability, and other social services throughout Monterey County. The funds also supported continued efforts to make public facilities more accessible and underwrite the cost of managing the Urban County program.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
X Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: _____________________________________________________________
Darby Marshall, RHO Project Analyst II, Ext. 5391
Approved by: _____________________________________________________________
Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant County Administrative Officer, Ext. 5145
Attachments:
Board Report
Draft CAPER 9-13-18