HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/03/2006, PH1 - CONSIDERATION OF THE HUMAN RELATION COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDED FUNDING PRIORITIES FOR THE 2007 GRANTS I
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CITY O F SAN LUIS O B I S P O
FROM: John Mandeville, Community Development Director
Prepared By: Jeff Hook, Senior Planner and Monica Irons, Director of Human
Resources
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF THE HUMAN RELATION COMMISSION'S
RECOMMENDED FUNDING PRIORITIES FOR THE 2007 GRANTS-IN-AID
(GIA) AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)
PROGRAMS.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
As recommended by the Human Relations Commission, establish the GIA and CDBG funding
priorities for 2007.
DISCUSSION
Background
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, to help Council prioritize community needs and to 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. Since then, there have been four key steps in the revised CDBG review
process:
1. HRC hosts a "Needs Workshop": The HRC hosts a public hearing (Workshop held on
August 30, 2006) 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 consider the HRC's
recommendations and to set CDBG and GIA funding priorities (October 3, 2006).
3. CDBG applications hearing: HRC holds a public hearing (scheduled for December 6,
2006) to review CDBG grant applications and forwards its funding recommendations to the
County. These recommendations are incorporated into the County's Draft Consolidated
Plan that is released in early January 2007 for public review.
4. CDBG Program Hearing: Council holds a public hearing (scheduled for March 6, 2007)
on the Draft Consolidated Plan, approves the City's CDBG Program and forwards it the
I i
2007 CDBG Funding Priorities
Page 2
County for inclusion in the County's action plan for subsequent submittal to the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
At its August 30`s meeting, the HRC once again completed Step 1 by holding its combined GIA
and CDBG community needs hearing. An audience of about 25 persons attended the hearing and
speakers addressed a wide variety of community needs (Draft minutes attached). Several
speakers reiterated the need for affordable housing in the community. Speakers also identified
service needs for homeless, low income persons, seniors, and children and youth.
Recommended 2007 CDBG Funding Priorities
After considering public testimony, the Commission recommended that Council amend the 2006
funding priorities for the CDBG program and for the non-ranked GIA funding priorities with one
modification shown in bold below. Recommended CDBG priorities closely follow last year's
priorities:
1. Emergency shelter for homeless persons, homeless prevention and services.
2. Enhance and develop housing affordable to low and very-low income persons, including
seniors.
3. Education concerning and/or removal of architectural barriers for the disabled and
elderly.
4. Economic development (to include seismic retrofit, economic stability, low and moderate
income jobs)
The addition of"homeless prevention and services" was in response to testimony regarding the
challenge of meeting basic needs that many face in the community. Many speakers asked for
support of specific human service programs that are aimed at assisting residents in basic needs
(e.g. food, clothing, mental health, preventive health-services, job assistance, etc.) in order to
prevent them from becoming homeless. Commissioners remain committed to providing
emergency shelter, yet support a collaborative effort within the community, to address the
underlying issues that result in homelessness.
The priorities adopted by the Council set the framework by which the HRC reviews
applications.and recommends funding choices to the Council. Generally, most applications for
CDBG funds fit intuitively within one of the listed categories. It should be noted that under
these priority criteria, the Council has approved funding in the past for adobe restoration and '
other historic preservation efforts since "blight removal" (which would encompass many
historic preservation efforts) is an allowed HUD. activity under the category of Economic
development. Under the recommended priority criteria, this flexibility will continue for 2007-
2008 as the HRC and Council consider funding requests.
Recommended 2007 GIA Funding Priorities
Recommended GIA priorities continue to be as follows with one modification noted in bold
below:
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2007 CDBG Funding Priorities
Page 3
• Homeless Prevention and Services
• Job Training
• Supportive Health Services
• Services for Senior and/or People with Disabilities
• Supportive services for families and/or youth. .
Again, this modification speaks to .the Commissioners emphasis on prevention and proactive
measures in addition to providing services to those families and youth at risk. Several speakers
emphasized the need for programs and services to assist families in raising healthy children who
are assets to the community.
Next Steps
The next step in the CDBG program cycle is for Council to consider the HRC's
recommendations and to affirm or revise the City's CDBG and GIA funding priorities. This step
is important because these priorities will guide the HRC's actions when it reviews grant
applications at its November 29`h workshop and at its December 6`s public hearing and will guide
Council's final funding decisions when it considers the HRC's funding recommendations early
next year.
FISCAL IMPACTS
Decisions made regarding priorities will affect how CDBG and GIA applications are evaluated
and chosen for support. The City of San Luis Obispo receives CDBG funds through the County
allotment and, while this does not directly impact the general fund, projects funded through
CDBG are not otherwise requesting general plan funds.
ALTERNATIVES
By motion, Council may choose to add or modify the Commission's recommended priorities, or
to affirm the existing priorities without changes.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Human Relations Commission draft minutes,August 30, 2006 meeting
2. Urban County Notice of Public Workshops
G/cd-plan/jhook/cdbg/cdbgfundingpriorities 10-3-06
Attachment 1
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION (HRC)
DRAFT MINUTES
August 30, 2006
5:00 P.M.
City Hall
Council Chamber
990 Palm Street
CALL TO ORDER:
PRESENT: Chairperson Janna Nichols, Vice Chairperson Stephan Lamb
Commissioners Maureen Forsberg, Bryan Gingg (arrived at
4:10 p.m.), Tom Sant; and Paul Wolff
ABSENT: Commissioner Wheeler
STAFF
PRESENT: Monica Irons, Director of Human Resources; Kim Murry, Deputy
Director of Community Development; Jeff Hook, Senior Planner; and
Mary Kopecky, Human Resources Executive Assistant
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES:
ACTION: Moved by Wolff/Sant to approve the minutes of August 2, 2006 as
submitted; motion carried 5`0 (Gingg and Wheeler absent.)
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no comments for items not on the agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
Item 1. TESTIMONY FROM THE. PUBLIC REGARDING HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICE NEEDS FOR RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO.
Chairaerson Nichols opened the meeting for public comment.
�y
Attachment 1
Human Relations Commission Minutes
August 30, 2006
Page 2
Joy Forgerson, EOC Child Care Resource Connection, spoke to the need for child
care providers in San Luis Obispo.
Rave Fleming, EOC Health Services, spoke to the need for free and low-cost health
services available to San Luis Obispo's vulnerable residents as well as the need for
drug rehabilitation and mental health services.
Win Randle, American Red Cross volunteer, spoke to the need for local Red Cross
services for San Luis Obispo residents and specifically that they were mandated to
provide support for military families, yet received no Federal funding.
Commissioner Ginqq arrived at 4:.10 p.m.
.Wanda McFarlane, Caring Callers, expressed hope the HRC would consider their
request to fund disaster kits for seniors.
Kathleen Karle, People's Self Help Housing, addressed the need to provide supportive
housing services for low-income residents to assist them in retaining housing.
Jennifer Rhvnes, YMCA, asked the HRC to invest their resources in organizations that
provide asset building for youth.
Bernadette Bernardi, Literacy Council, asked'the HRC to support,the services they
provide to improve-lite- racy among adults and children.
Penny Rapaa, Habitat for Humanity, asked the HRC to recognize the need for
affordable housing in SLO for very low and low income persons as well as the need for
basic skills training such as budgeting, meal planning, etc.
Jody Smith,.Director of the Economic Opportunity Commission Homeless Services,
asked for support of the Maxine Lewis Homeless Shelter and the Prado Day Center.
Amber Kennedy, Sexual Assault Recovery and Prevention (SARP), noted their
organization assists sexual assault victims by providing free clinical counseling and
education to survivors and their families. She urged continued support for SARP.
Trish Murley, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), asked the HRC to support
CASA's training and supervising advocates for abused and neglected children in San
Luis Obispo County as they are currently only serving one third of the children in the
system.
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Human Relations Commission Minutes
August 30, 2006
Page 3
.Jenny Muffay, ALPHA, asked for HRC backing to provide non-judgmental support for
pregnant women. In addition ALPHA offers practical and emotional assistance to new
mothers as well as assistance to mothers coping with Post Partum Depression and
adoption. Ms. Muffay also identified the need for housing,job training and placement,
along with childcare.
Rick Cohn, speaking for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and La Clinica de Tolosa, Mr. Cohn
asked for continued HRC support. He noted Big Brothers/Big Sisters works with at-risk
children who need positive adult participation in their lives and La Clinica de Tolosa
offers free dental care to children in need.
Evan Mendelson, Hotline of San Luis Obispo County, reported Hotline is working
toward disaster preparedness and bringing 211 to our county. She urged continued
HRC support.
Jerry Rio, Executive Director San Luis Obispo County Housing Trust Fund, asked the
HRC to allocate as much CDBG funds as possible to affordable housing and to
consider those residents with special needs.
Bina Polay, Community Counseling Center (CCC), asked the HRC to continue to assist
the CCC in providing counseling for low income and uninsured residents of the County
of San Luis Obispo as the suicide rate in the County indicates the need for this type of
counseling. She also reiterated the need for affordable housing.
Judith Bernstein, Senior Peer Counseling Development Director of Wilshire
Foundation, reported they will be extending their out reach to seniors who are home
bound and urged NRC to be supportive.
Karl Hansen spoke as a representative of the Food Bank Coalition (FBC). He reported
the FBC are part of the County food programs network. He indicated they would not be
applying for funds this year but may consider applying for CDBG funding in the future
for a warehouse.
Seeing no further speakers, Chairperson Nichols closed the public comment period.
She noted the HRC would review and update CDBG and GIA priorities from last year.
Additionally she noted the HRC was anticipating a decrease in CDBG and GIA funding.
Vice Chairperson Lamb responded to Jerry Rio's request for the HRC to focus on
affordable housing. He noted the HRC agreed with Mr. Rio, however, last year the
HRC did not receive any CDBG applications from applicants with housing needs.
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Human Relations Commission Minutes
August 30, 2006
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Commissioner Wolff asked for the definition of affordable housing.
Senior Planner Hook informed the HRC Council is promoting affordability by design
and working with developers and builders to build smaller, denser, affordable housing.
He presented an overview of some current and proposed projects. Additionally he
agreed with Chairperson Nichols that the upcoming CDBG grant funds would probably
be less than the previous year.
Vice Chairperson Lamb stressed the importance of agencies collaborating on way to
prevent homelessness.
Commissioner Sant commented that affordable housing and homeless issues were
multi-faceted problems which required collaboration among more than just non-profit
agencies, but also business and government. He suggested asking Cal Poly and the
Chamber of Commerce to actively participate in a solution.
Chairperson Nichols concurred there were opportunities for broader discussions. She
noted the Chamber already had a number of taskforces in place addressing these
issues and Cal Poly was also involved by having students participate in Homeless
Awareness Week as well as other activities. She noted a broader discussion would be
more appropriate at another meeting.
Lengthy HRC discussion ensued. Commissioners considered making collaboration
around homeless prevention a CDBG priority.
Senior Planner Hook reminded commissioners that CDBG priorities direct the way
HRC and City Council allocate funds. He suggested other means by which
collaboration could be rewarded.
Vice Chairperson Lamb agreed but argued that it was important push for a broader
agenda and stressed the importance going forward with a discussion addressing
homeless prevention.
Commissioner Wolff felt the HRC was currently only able to "band aid" the housing
and homeless issues. He expressed frustration the City was not bridging the gap
between low wages and higher housing costs. He liked CommissionerSant's idea of
broadening the discussion.
Chairperson Nichols wanted to look to the future to draw in large stakeholders in a
discussion. She asked staff for guidance.
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August 30, 2006
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Senior Planner Hook suggested the HRC call a special meeting to bring stakeholders
together to brainstorm.
Vice Chairperson Lamb agreed the HRC needed to engage in a broader discussion
because it was impossible to do it alone. He suggested expanding the role of the
Housing Programs Manager and tasking the position in taking the lead to make this
discussion happen.
Chairperson Nichols wanted to make a more overt statement to Council and
expressed interest in allocating funds to make such a discussion possible.
Commissioner Gin-q4 suggested conducting a "solutions" discussion rather than a
"needs" discussion.
Commissioner Sant agreed noting the HRC understood what the needs were but what
the HRC had not heard were new solutions. He suggested sponsoring an innovative
and creative education forum to focus on housing solutions.
Senior Planner Hook agreed but advised the HRC against making this part of the
NRC's funding priorities and suggested making it one of the HRC's work programs
instead.
Chairperson Nichols expressed frustration noting the HRC was a trying to establish a
means which would allow the City to bring large stakeholders and housing agencies to
the table. She noted it would be helpful for the HRC to understand what collaborations
were already in place.
Vice Chairperson Lamb spoke against the CDBG funding priority which allowed the
use of CDBG funds for culverts and stopping blight. He saw poverty and assisting
people to move out of poverty as the true HRC priorities.
Chairperson Nichols asked staff to note in the CDBG and GIA funding priorities
council agenda report that the HRC felt collaboration around solutions for the
prevention of homelessness was critical.
ACTION: Moved by Sant/Lamb to amend funding priority number 1 to read as
follows:
1. Emergency shelter, homelessness prevention and services; motion
carried 6:0 (Wheeler absent)
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August 30, 2006
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ACTION: Moved by Lamb/Sant to retain the 2006 CDBG funding priorities
language for priorities numbers 2, 3, and.4 as follows:
2 Enhance and develop housing affordable to low and very-low income
persons.
3 Education concerning and/or removal of architectural barriers for the
disabled and elderly.
4 Economic development (to include seismic retrofit, economic stability, low
and moderate income jobs.); motion carried 6:0 (Wheeler absent)
Brief HRC discussion ensued regarding the GIA non-ranked funding priorities.
Commissioners agreed to mociify.the "Services for families and/or youth at risk" priority
as indicated below and to keep the other priorities the same.
ACTION: Moved by Lamb/Forsber4 to adopt the following non-ranked GIA
funding priorities:
■ Homeless prevention and services
■ Job training
■ Supportive health services (including mental health)
Services for seniors and/or people with disabilities
Supportive services for families and/or youth.
Motion carried 6:0 (Wheeler absent).
BUSINESS ITEM
Item 2. OVERVIEW OF THE 2006-2007 GRANTS IN AID (GIA) AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROCESS.
(IRONS AND MURRY)
Chairperson Nichols polled the remaining audience and the HRC to see if there was
any interest in proceeding with the grant process overview. Seeing no interest,
commissioners agreed by consensus to omit the overview.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Vice Chairperson Lamb urged the HRC to agendize planning for a collaborative
discussion for the NRC's October 4, 2006 meeting. Commissioners agreed by
consensus. He also suggested inviting Lee Gulliver, County of San Luis Obispo Social
Services Division Manager, to introduce herself to the HRC and to educate the HRC as
to County's role in homeless prevention. Commissioner agreed by consensus.
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August 30, 2006
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Director of Human Resources Irons reported the Office of the City Clerk was in the
process of upgrading their broadcasting equipment which would delay the release of
the DVD "Will We See Them" to the second week in October 2006. Chairperson
Nichols suggested offering the DVD to Council for review. Commissioners concurred.
There being no further business to come before the HRC, Chairperson Nichols,
adjourned the HRC meeting at 6:25 p.m. to the next regular meeting of the HRC to be
held on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Kopecky
Human Resources Executive Assistant
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Attachment 2
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
PUBLIC NEEDS WORKSHOPS FOR THE URBAN COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO-2007 COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT(CDBG),HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS ACT(HOME)AND
EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANTS(ESG)PROGRAMS
The County Planning and Building Department and the cities of Arroyo Grande,Atascadero,Grover Beach,Paso
Robles and San Luis Obispo are inviting interested persons to attend public workshops for discussion of housing and
community development needs that could be addressed though CDBG,HOME and ESG funding. The purpose for the
meetings is to provide the public with information about the programs and solicit information on the appropriate use of
the funds. This input will be compiled and presented to the Board of Supervisors on December 12,2006 at a public
hearing. An additional notice will be mailed advertising this hearing.
CDBG funds can be used for housing, economic development,public services and facilities that benefit low-income
families(and meet other requirements of the program). HOME funds are only for affordable housing for low-income
families. ESG funds are used for homeless shelters or domestic violence shelters.
The five participating cities and the county have been designated by the federal Department of Housing and Urban
Development(HUD)as an"urban county"eligible to receive:annual,formula-based grants of CDBG,HOME and ESG
funds directly from HUD. In the past,the county and its cities have applied for these funds through the state,competing
with many other cities and counties for grant awards.
HUD has not notified the Urban County of the funding levels for the 2007-funding year for the program year starting
July 1,2007. The Urban County will use the.2006 funding amounts as an estimate for 2007. The 2006 funding
amounts were as follow: $2,144,593 in CDBG funds;$1,345,518 in HOME funds and$91,799 in ESG funds.
Accurate funding levels will be announced by HUD at a future date.
The public workshops will be held at the following dates,times and locations:
South County Workshop—6:30 P.M.Mon.,Sept.25,2006,Arroyo Grande City Hall,215 West Branch Street,
Arroyo Grande .
North County Workshop—7:00 P.M.Weds., Sept.27,2006,Atascadero City Hall,6907 El Camino Real, Atascadero
San Luis Obispo Workshop - 7:00 P.M., Weds., Oct. 4, 2006, City/County.Library, Library Conference, Room, 995
Palm Street,San Luis Obispo
Any individual,group or organization wishing to apply for CDBG,HOME or ESG funding must submit an application
to the county or applicable city,using the official application. Applications can be mailed to:Tony Navarro,Planner
III,Department of Planning and Building,976 Osos Street,Room 300, San Luis Obispo,CA.,93408 or hand delivered
to Tony Navarro at 1050 Monterey Street,Room 370,San Luis Obispo,CA., faxed to(805)781-5624,or E-mailed to
tnavarro@co.slo.ca.us. Applications will be accepted until close of business October 30,2006. Hard copies of the
original application must be PHYSICALLY received by 5:00 P.M.on October 30,2006. Postmarks are not
acceptable. To obtain an application,go to the following website: www.sloplanning.org. Questions may be
directed to Tony Navarro,Planner III,(805)781-5787.
The tentative time frame for review of proposals,funding decisions and availability of funds is summarized below:
• Needs Workshops: September-October 2006
• Proposals due: October 30,2006
• Public hearing by county: December 2006
• City Council hearings on draft funding recommendations: November-December 2006
• Publish Urban County draft funding recommendations: December 2006-January 2007
• Public workshops on draft funding recommendations: January—February 2007
• City public hearings to approve funding recommendations: February-April 2007
• Public hearing by county to approve 2007 Action Plan: April 2007
• Edit Plan,transmit to HUD: April-May 2007
• Plan due date at HUD: May 15,2007