Title
Approval and Adoption of the 2013/2014-2017/2018 CDBG/HOME Consolidated Plan, including an updated Citizen Participation Plan, and the FY 2013/2014 Annual Action Plan for the City of Gainesville (B)
The purpose of this item is to approve and adopt the City's 2013/2014 - 2017/2018 CDBG/HOME Consolidated Plan, including an updated Citizen Participation Plan, and the 2013/2014 Annual Action Plan. The Consolidated Plan outlines the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) program goals and objectives over a five year time period. The Annual Action Plan identifies specific projects to accomplish the goals and objectives stated in the Consolidated Plan.
Explanation
This item supports City Commission Strategic Goal Numbers 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 for Public Safety, Economic Development and Redevelopment, Human Capital, Infrastructure and Transportation, and Neighborhoods.
Each year the City of Gainesville receives CDBG and HOME funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These funds are used for projects in a variety of areas including housing, social services, economic development, parks, transportation and other public infrastructure. In order to qualify for CDBG and HOME Program entitlement funding from HUD, the City is required to adopt a Five-Year Consolidated Plan for HUD approval and to annually submit an Action Plan outlining the uses of funds for that year. Preparation and adoption of the Five-Year Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan is a prerequisite for receiving funds through the CDBG and HOME Programs.
The Consolidated Plan contains an assessment of the housing and community development needs of the City of Gainesville, including a strategic plan for addressing the identified needs. The strategic plan portion of the document identifies potential funding sources, establishes general priorities for funding, and addresses other actions which the City of Gainesville will undertake during the five-year period. The Consolidated Plan also contains a specific one-year Action Plan for the use of CDBG and HOME Program funds. The Annual Action Plan specifically describes how the CDBG and HOME allocations are to be spent during the fiscal year. The Annual Action Plan estimates CDBG and HOME Program revenue and identifies specific projects to accomplish the goals and objectives stated in the Consolidated Plan. The Annual Action Plan is required to be submitted to HUD for annual entitlement funding.
In February 2013, the City hired Wade Trim, Inc. as a consultant to help develop the 2013/2014- 2017/2018 Consolidated Plan. The City's Consolidated Plan is the result of an extensive five-month public input process. In February 2013, notices were published in the Gainesville Sun and Gainesville Guardian. Additionally, notices were distributed via media releases, on the City's website and through emails to stakeholders. Notices were given to neighborhood residents, public agencies, community organizations, housing developers, non-profit organizations, various City departments and the general public regarding the estimated CDBG and HOME Program funding available; the notices also included information about the preparation, public input requirement and adoption process of the Consolidated Plan.
As part of the public input process, from March 2013 through June 2013, the City conducted various meetings with stakeholders such as, neighborhood residents, community leaders, non-profit organizations, community organizations, housing providers, developers, and various City departments. This process also included public meetings with the Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development (CACCD) and the SHIP Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC). On April 4, 2013, at a City Commission public hearing, the consultant discussed the development and adoption process for the Consolidated Plan; and solicited City Commission and public comments on the use of CDBG and HOME Program funds.
As a result of this extensive strategic planning process, the Consolidated Plan was developed setting forth priority areas in which CDBG and HOME funding can be expended. The Consolidated Plan identified priority areas such as Affordable Housing, Self-Sufficiency, Reduced Homelessness, Quality of Life and Special Needs Assistance. The overall nature of the Consolidated Plan is somewhat broad in order to provide for maximum flexibility, within the CDBG and HOME Program guidelines. The draft 2013/2014- 2017/2018 Consolidated Plan and 2013/2014 Annual Action Plan are included as Attachment A for reference.
The draft 2013/2014- 2017/2018 Consolidated Plan and 2013/2014 Annual Action Plan were made available for public review and comment beginning June 19, 2013. HUD requires that the Consolidated Plan be made available for public review and comment for a 30-day period prior to the date of its adoption. This was accomplished by providing copies at the HCD Division office, City Clerk of Commission office, Main Library and on the City's website. The availability of the draft Consolidated Plan was published in the Gainesville Sun and Gainesville Guardian. Additionally, notices were distributed via media releases and on City's website. The public comment period ends on July 18, 2013.
As outlined in the 2013/2014 Annual Action Plan, a portion of the CDBG and HOME funds are set-aside for City Projects: Block Grant Administration; City Housing Programs; Code Enforcement; and Cold Weather Shelter for the homeless. In addition, a portion of the CDBG and HOME funds are made available to non-profit outside organizations and other public agencies through a competitive process that involves review and recommendations by the Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development (CACCD). The 2013/2014 CDBG and HOME funding set-asides are outlined in Attachment B.
On May 21, 2013, the CACCD formulated its recommendations on allocating the CDBG and HOME "competitive" set-aside for non-profit outside organizations and other public agencies. The CACCD's recommendations total $214,230 for CDBG and $112,954 for HOME. Copies of the CDBG and HOME applications that were reviewed by the CACCD are on file in the Office of the Clerk of the Commission. The CACCD FY 2014 CDBG and HOME Program funding recommendations are included for reference in Attachment C.
The purpose of this public hearing is for the Consultant and CACCD to present the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan for City Commission approval.
Consistent with HUD guidelines, the plan will be submitted to HUD by August 16, 2013. Funds to begin implementing the approved projects will be available after October 1, 2013.
Fiscal Impact
The submission and approval of the 2013/2014 Annual Action Plan will give the City access to
its Fiscal Year 2013/2014 CDBG and HOME Program entitlement funding estimated by HUD to be $1,353,663 for CDBG and $541,229 for HOME. These federal funds will be used to
implement and administer programs proposed in the 2013/2014 Annual Action Plan.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) hear a presentation from Wade Trim, Inc. and the CACCD on the 2013/2014-2017/2018 Consolidated Plan and 2013/2014 Annual Action Plan; 2) approve and adopt the 2013/2014-FY 2017/2018 Consolidated Plan, including an updated Citizen Participation Plan; 3) approve and adopt the 2013/2014 Annual Action Plan; and 4) authorize the City Manager to submit the 2013/2014-2017/2018 Consolidated Plan and 2013/2014 Annual Action Plan to HUD; 5) authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents required for the 2013/2014-2017/2018 Consolidated Plan and 2013/2014 Annual Action Plan, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality; 6) authorize the City Manager or designee to take actions as appropriate to allocate the FY 2014 CDBG and HOME Program funds; and 7) authorize the City Manager to execute sub-recipient agreements with those outside agencies that are designated to receive FY 2014 CDBG and HOME funding, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.