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Home My WebLink About11/18/2003, PH2 - CONSIDERATION OF THE HUMAN RELATION COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRIORITIES FOR THE 2004 CDBG P councit j acEnaa izEpoizt 1�Nb. CITY O F SAN LUIS O B I S P O FROM: John Mandeville, Community Development Direc o Prepared By: Jeff Hook, Associate Pl e SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF THE HUMAN RELATION COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRIORITIES FOR THE 2004 CDBG PROGRAM. CAO RECOMMENDATION: As recommended by the Human Relations Commission, establish the CDBG funding priorities for the 2004 CDBG Program. DISCUSSION In 2001 Council revamped the City's annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) review process. The purposes of the changes were to allow early Council input into the grant award process, help Council prioritize community needs and help maintain an open, inclusive and fair grant application process. These changes "moved up" the grant review process by at least one month and for the first time, involved the Human Relations Commission (HRC) as advisor to the Council on community needs and funding recommendations. There are now four key steps in the revised CDBG review process: 1. HRC hosts a "Needs Workshop": The HRC hosts a public hearing to inform the public about upcoming funding amounts and how to apply for grants, to hear community views on grant funding needs, and to recommend funding priorities. 2. Council priority-setting hearing: Council holds a public hearing to set CDBG funding priorities (November 18`x'). 3. CDBG applications hearing: HRC holds a public hearing to review CDBG requests and forwards its funding recommendations for the Draft Consolidated Plan (December 3`d). 4. CDBG Program Hearing: Council holds public hearing on Draft Consolidated Plan, approves the City's CDBG Program and forwards its recommendations to the Urban County (February 17, 2004, tentative). On October 1st the HRC completed Step 1 by holding its combined Grants-In-Aid and CDBG community needs hearing. An audience of about 15 persons attended the hearing and speakers addressed a wide variety of community needs (Draft minutes attached). CDBG needs identified included continued support for homeless services and facilities replacement, participation in the Countywide Housing Trust Fund, Restoration of the Anderson Hotel, Big Brothers Big Sisters program, and senior services. After hearing testimony, commissioners reviewed last year's funding priorities set by Council: 1 2004 CDBG Funding Priorities Page 2 Council-Approved 2003 CDBG Funding Priorities "Community Development Block Grant funds will support programs and services for the most vulnerable members of the City's populations, including, but not limited to: the elderly and disabled, non-English speaking persons, persons with life-threatening medical issues, mental health issues, ex-offenders and persons with substance abuse issues." 1. Affordable housing. 2. Emergency shelter for homeless persons. 3. Removal of architectural barriers for the disabled and elderly.. 4. Economic development (to enhance economic stability, provide jobs for low/moderate income persons, and remove spot blight conditions). 5. Childcare and youth recreation services. Recommended 2004 CDBG Funding Priorities After a brief discussion and on a motion by Commissioner Lamb, seconded by Commissioner Wolff, the Commission voted 6-0 (Commr. Wheeler absent) to recommend that the City Council reorder and expand 2003 CDBG funding priorities as follows: 1. Emergency shelter for homeless persons. Maintain existing services and building resources for future needs. 2. Enhance and develop housing for seniors. 3. Affordable housing. 4. Removal of architectural barriers for the disabled and seniors. S. Economic development(to enhance economic stability,provide jobs for low/moderate income persons, and remove spot blight conditions). 6. Childcare and youth recreation services. The next step — step 2 in the CDBG program cycle -- is for Council to consider the NRC's recommendation and set 2004 funding priorities. This step is important because these priorities will guide the HRC when it reviews CDBG applications and makes funding recommendations on December 3rd, and will guide Council when it considers the HRC's funding recommendations and CDBG applications, tentatively scheduled for February 17, 2004. ALTERNATIVES Council may choose to add or modify priorities, by motion, or take no action, thereby allowing the existing priorities to continue unchanged. a� 2004 CDBG Funding Priorities Page 3 ATTACHMENT 1. Human Relations Commission draft minutes, October 1, 2003 meeting !h/cdbg/cdbgfundingption ies11-18-03 i Human Relations Commission Minutes October 1, 2003 Page 3 ACTION: Moved by Hutch' s to request Council write a letter to the County Board of Supervisors ur ' g them to go forward with a Syringe Exchange Program; motion failed ue to the lack of second. ACTION: Moved by mb/Wolff to re-agendize the Syringe Exchange Program for December 3, 2003 allow time to gather information from law enforcement agencies participating in xchange Programs; motion carried, 5:1, Commissioner Forsberg abstained. Chairperson Nichols called a rece at 6:05 p.m. Chairperson Nichols reconvened the HRC at 6:10 p.m. Item 2. PUBLIC NEEDS WORKSHOP. Tony Navarro, County Housing and Economic Development Planner; presented an overview of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and estimated the funds the County expects to receive in 2004. Chairperson Nichols gave an overview of the City's CDBG and Grants-In-Aid (GIA) process. She encouraged applicants to be clear about criteria for CDBG and GIA funds. Human Resources Analyst Sylvain reviewed the time line for the 2004 CDBG and GIA process. Chairperson Nichols opened the public hearing. Catherine Manning, EOC Homeless Services, spoke on behalf of the homeless. Liz Clark, ALPHA, urged the HRC to continue support for ALPHA pregnancy counseling and family support center for single mothers. Sherrie Kornreich, former client and currently married college graduate, testified how ALPHA provided assistance during her crisis. George Moylan, Executive Director San Luis Obispo Housing Authority, urged the City to move forward on the following: 1) Financial preparation for replacement of the old modular units at the Homeless Shelter. 2) More aggressive involvement in the Housing Trust Fund. 3) Restoration of the Anderson Hotel. a-� I Human Relations Commission Minutes October 1, 2003 Page 4 Lillian Judd. EOC, urged continued HRC support for Senior Health Screening and the 40 Wonderful Program. Kathy Smith, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, recommended continued funding for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. She expressed hope the HRC would hold a forum with more citizen participation. Carol Schmidt, Senior Peer Counseling, reported that Senior Peer Counseling secured a new sponsoring agency and asked for continued HRC support. Richard Bruner, Lifespan Foundation and RSVP, spoke in support of older adults and noted that service workers who traditionally provide support for older adults are being forced out of the area due to high housing costs. Wanda.McFarlane, Caring Callers, expressed concern for the seniors whose needs are not being met. Mimi Nash spoke for the Cuesta College Work Force Program which serves the most vulnerable student population at Cuesta (many are homeless) by providing vocational training, finding work study, and assisting with job placement. Brief HRC discussion ensued. ACTION: Moved by Lamb/Wolff to reorder the CDBG Funding Priorities as follows: 1. Emergency shelter for homeless persons. Maintain existing services and building resources for future needs. 2. Enhance and develop housing for seniors. 3. Affordable housing. 4. Removal of architectural barriers for the disabled and seniors. 5. Economic development (to enhance economic stability, provide jobs for low/moderate income persons, and remove spot blight conditions). 6. Childcare and youth recreation services; motion carried 6:0. By consensus HRC directed staff to define "senior" and report back to the HRC. Chairperson Nichols encouraged HRC members to attend the Healthy Communities Workshop scheduled for Thursday, October 2, 2003 in the City/County Library Community room, review Action for Health Communities Indicator Report 2003, and 02-S Human Relations Commission Minutes October 1, 2003 Page 5 table recommendations on the GIA funding priorities until the November 5, 2003 HRC meeting. HRC members agreed b consensus. COMMISSIONER COMME S. Chairperson Nichols reported she d be unable to attend the Mayor's Quarterly Advisory Body meeting scheduled for Octo r 9, 2003 at 11:30 a.m. in the Council Hearing Room. Commissioner Forsberg agr d to attend in her place. There being no further business to come bef the HRC, Chairperson Nichols adjourned the HRC meeting at 7:25 p.m. a next regular meeting of the HRC to be held on Wednesday, November 5, 20 in the Council Hearing Room. Respectfully Submitted, Mary Kopecky Human Resources Executive Assistant