Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/16/2008, 1 - CONSIDERATION OF THE HUMAN RELATION COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDED PRIORITIES FOR THE 2009 COMMUNITY DEVE f i councit Dm ,b OF og AD aGEnda REpottt lem N.A. / CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FROM: John Mandeville, Community Development Direc or m Prepared By: Michael Codron, Housing Programs.Manager SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF THE HUMAN RELATION COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDED PRIORITIES FOR THE 2009 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) AND GRANTS-IN-AID (GIA) PROGRAMS. CAO RECOMMENDATION As recommended by the Human Relations Commission, approve CDBG and GIA funding priorities for 2009. DISCUSSION In 2001, Council revised the City's annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) review process. The purposes of the changes were to provide Council with an opportunity to provide early input in the grant award process, assist Council to prioritize community needs and help maintain an open, inclusive and fair grant application process. These changes established the Human Relations Commission (HRC) as the advisor to the Council on community needs and funding recommendations. The four steps in the CDBG review process are as follows: 1. HRC hosts a "Needs Workshop": The HRC hosts a public heating 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(held on September 3, 2008). 2. Council priority-setting hearing: Council holds a public hearing to set CDBG funding priorities (September 16, 2008). 3. CDBG applications hearing: HRC holds a public hearing to review CDBG applications and forwards its funding recommendations for Program Year 2009 (scheduled for November 5`h 2008). 4. CDBG Program hearing: Council holds a public hearing on Draft One-Year Action Plan, approves the City's 2009 CDBG Program and forwards its recommendations to the Urban County(tentatively scheduled for February 3, 2009). On September 3, 2008, the HRC completed the first step by holding its combined Grants-In-Aid and CDBG community needs hearing (Attachment 1, HRC Draft Minutes). An audience of about 25 persons attended the hearing and 11 speakers addressed a wide variety of community needs. Additional testimony was submitted in writing. I�I Consideration of the NRC's Recommended Funding Priorities for 2009 Page 2 The testimony provided during the meeting indicated to staff and the Commission that uncertain economic conditions were driving an increase in service needs. Every representative from a non- profit who spoke pointed to an increase in demand for services including financial assistance, emergency shelter, transitional housing, child care, after school care, food, transportation for medically fragile seniors, and counseling. The increase in demand along with a decrease in grant funding is straining the providers. However, many testified they are collaborating with other agencies and service providers, exploring private sector alliances, and seeking personal donations to continue to provide critical services as efficiently as possible. HRC Recommended CDBG Funding Priorities for 2009 As established at a public hearing on October 2, 2007, the Council's approved 2008 CDBG funding priorities are: 1. Enhance and develop housing affordable to low and very-low income persons. 2. Emergency shelter, homelessness prevention and services. I 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). After discussion of the testimony provided by the public, which included reports of increased needs for homeless services, affordable housing, senior services, and social services, the HRC decided to leave funding priorities unchanged for 2009. (Although the HRC's decision was to leave the priorities unchanged, a clerical error in the staff Power Point presentation has necessitated a special meeting of the HRC, scheduled for Tuesday, September 9h. During the special meeting, staff will confirm that the above, unchanged priorities represent the intended recommendation to the City Council. If there is any change in the recommendation from the HRC, staff will notify the Council with a memo that outlines the HRC's intended recommendation in detail.) The priorities adopted by Council set the framework by which the HRC reviews grant applications and recommends funding choices to the Council. Generally, most applications for CDBG funds fit intuitively within one of the listed categories. HRC Discussion of CDBG Funding for Social Services According to CDBG guidelines, up to 15% of the total CDBG award may be used for public services. In recent years, the City of San Luis Obispo has allocated all of these funds to the Maxine Lewis Shelter. In past years, the Council has maintained support for the Shelter in the amount of$138,000 through a combination of the 15% CDBG public services funds and money from the City's general fund. Since overall CDBG funds have decreased over time, /smaller � � r Consideration of the HRC's Recommended Funding Priorities for 2009 Page 3 public service amounts have been available under the 15% limitation, resulting in more general fund dollars required to make up the difference between CDBG funds and the $138,000 commitment. The HRC noted that,based on the scope and content of public testimony provided, the shortage of available funds will likely make funding decisions difficult for the 2009 CDBG and GIA cycles,because additional applications for both programs are likely. HRC Recommended GIA Funding Priorities for 2009 The HRC also reviewed the 2008 non-ranked GIA funding priorities and decided to re-affirm the priorities without modification. The list below is bulleted instead of numbered specifically because the HRC does not rank these recommended funding priorities. • Homeless prevention (including mental health, substance abuse, financial stability, job training) and supportive services • Job training • Supportive health services (including mental health services) • Services for seniors and/or people with disabilities • Supportive services for youth; especially targeted to youth at risk The HRC decided to leave the GIA funding priorities unranked to allow maximum flexibility when making funding recommendations dependent upon the applications received. Next Steps The next step in the CDBG program cycle is for the 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 CDBG grant applications at its October 29`x' workshop and its November 5`h public hearing. These priorities also will guide Council's final funding decisions when it considers the NRC's CDBG funding recommendations on February 3,2009. 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, to the extent that projects can be funded through CDBG, they are not otherwise requesting money from the City's general fund. The City does designate a portion of general fund monies ($126,600 budgeted in 2008-09) for the GIA program and the priorities expressed by the Council will influence how those grants are awarded. ALTERNATIVES 1. The Council may modify the proposed funding priorities. t -3 Consideration of the 13RC's Recommended Funding Priorities for 2009 Page 4 2. The Council may continue consideration of funding priorities. Direction should be given to staff regarding additional information needed to make a decision on priorities. This alternative is not recommended because the deadline to submit a request for 2009 CDBG funds ends on October 14, 2008, and applicants to the program benefit from knowing the City's funding priorities in advance. ATTACHMENT HRC Draft Meeting Minutes, 9-3-08 (to be provided by memo prior to Council hearing) G:\CD-PLAN\MCODRON\Housing\CDBG\CARS\C DBGCCfundingpri ori ties09.DOC I/� 1 iilllllllll���l�llll`II council memoRanbum ctv of San Luis osispo, community bevelopment 0epautment DATE: September 10, 2008 TO: City Council VIA: Ken Hampian, CAO FROM: John Mandeville, Community Development Direct�1/Jit BY: Michael Codron,Housing Programs Manager �/ ' SUBJECT: HRC Recommendation on 2009 CDBG Priorities The Human Relations Commission(HRC)met during a special meeting on September 9, 2008, to clarify their recommendation regarding 2009 Community Development Block Grant(CDBG) priorities. The HRC confirmed that they intended to make no change from the existing priorities,which listed affordable housing first and emergency shelter second. The HRC did,however, make minor wording changes to their recommendation. The following is the final list of priorities recommended by the HRC to the City Council to guide funding decisions for the 2009 CDBG cycle. 1. Enh an e,—_Dffelop and p-enhance affordable housing affoWe- or to low and verydow income persons. 2. Emergency shelter, homelessness prevention and services. 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). RECEIVE® COUNCIL RV DD DIR RED FILE MOAO 13y1N DIR SEP 10 2008 Z,AMEETING AGENDA IZA TO F'FIRE CHIEF IsJATTORNEY r3"PINDIA SLO CITY CLEAK DATE a b o8'ITEM 4L— CLERK/CRIG rpOLICE CHF ❑ PT HEADS Mac DIR ,C FHF93 IL DIR Q=�� 018 ✓ t*U A) , CAD VC14-Q,L- G:\CD-PLAN\MCODRON\Housing\CDBG\CARsMCmc2009(m ).doc council m E m o 1Za n b u m city o(sap tu)s osispo. community 6evElopment 6epainment ; DATE: September 16, 2008 RECEIVED TO: City Council SEP 16 2000 VIA: Ken Hampian, CAO SLO CITY CLERK FROM: John Mandeville, Community Development Director BY: Michael Codron,Housing Programs Manager SUBJECT: Human Relations Commission(HRC)Draft Meeting Minutes Attached are Draft Minutes from two HRC meetings dated September 3, 2008 and September 9, 2008. The minutes from September 3rd include the public testimony provided by service providers during the needs hearing. As noted in the Council Agenda Report, staff returned to the HRC on September 9th to clarify the recommendation. The following is the final list of priorities recommended by the HRC to the City Council to guide funding decisions for the 2009 CDBG cycle. 1. free-Develop and dewelep-enhance affordable housing affioWe-_Lor to low and very-low income persons. Z Emergency shelter, homelessness prevention and services. 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). l�izo co �xr� OUNCIL C'CDD DIR p-CAO G' PIN DIR RED FILE [rACAO Q'FIRE CHIEF 9�ATTORNEY 0'13W DIR `MEETING AGENDA L'1 CLERK/ORIG ff'POLICE CHF DATElh WA-ITEM # PIS 1 13 DEPT HEADS 0"REC DIR ❑ PI fb C'rUTIL DIR ❑ -rR.4KUa1L 21HR DIR -t&uuaL -'CA-o /Cuaz� G:\CD-PLAN\MCODRON\Housing\CDBG\CARs\ERCminutes2009(memo).dm Human Relations Commission Agenda (Draft Minutes) September 3, 2008 Page 3 PUBLIC HEARING Item 2. TESTIMONY FROM THE PUBLIC REGARDING HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE NEEDS FOR RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO. Vice Chairperson Rosales opened the public hearing portion of the meeting. Janna Nichols, San Luis Obispo County YMCA, summarized the programs offered by the local YMCA. She stated the summer camp had recently ended and noted YMCA had experienced an approximate 25% increase in overall requests for financial assistance this year. She also reported, due to the current economic challenges facing the public, YMCA has experienced greater requests for senior services. This has resulted in YMCA actively working toward expanding their senior programs. They are also attempting to increase teen services and family programs. Terri Kurczewski; San Luis Obispo Child Development Center, reported their organization had served over 130 children and their families during the last eighteen months. She indicated more and more children have been referred to them with a large number from homeless families. While the number of referrals has been steadily growing, they are striving to become more efficient and have been working in tandem with the Economic Opportunity Commission. They are also in the process of implementing an alumni program for teenagers who have been through their program. Bernadette Bernardi, Literacy Council, reported they serve all the libraries in the County of San Luis Obispo. During the last year they have worked with over 600 adult learners. Currently there are approximately 400 volunteer tutors. The Literacy Council is working toward their goal which would be one volunteer for each lea mer. Most of their clients are speakers of English as a second language and need basic reading and writing skills. The Literacy Council provides a private non-threatening positive learning environment to adults who have been unable succeed in a traditional class room environment. By setting goals and working with clients on a one-on-one basis to meet those goals, their customers have experienced success by passing a GED exam or getting a first-time drivers license. Marie Brinkmever, Senior Volunteer Services / RSVP, reported their volunteers provide needed portal to portal transportation for seniors to medical and dental appointments. She also noted these requests have been especially in demand since Ride-On reduced services due to decreased funding. Additionally she reported Senior Volunteer Services receives many calls from the disabled and seniors who need assistance balancing their check books and paying bills Carl Hansen, Food Bank Coalition, reported there had been an increased need for food as well as other services from all local agencies. He noted many programs were dependent upon State funding and have been struggling because the budget has not been adopted. He was concerned because even when the State funding did become available he was convinced there would still be cut backs. He reported the Food Bank G:\CD-PLAN\MCODRON\Housing\CDBG\CARS\September3 2008 Minutes v3.doc Human Relations Commission Agenda (Draft Minutes) September 3, 2008 Page 4 has; consistently used collaboration to maintain their services, but with shrinking capacity the Food Bank would need to do more advocacy in the future in order to maintain current services levels. They will also require more City and County resources in order to survive. He expressed appreciation for the HRC's support but was cautious about the future. Chuck.Crotser, Friends of Prado Day Center, reported the Day Center provided services for approximately 75 clients per day when they first opened. In the past few years their client average has increased to over 100 per day. Since last April they have been averaging about 122 clients per day; essentially doubling the workload since the Day Center's inception. With a budget of a little over $250,000 per year, they continue to scramble for funds. Mr. Crotser encouraged the HRC to continue its support for the Day Center and to consider raising the amount if at all possible. He stated the Day Center's objective is to continue providing services to clients seven days a week and not cut back hours. Trish Murlev, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), reported CASA has provided advocate services for approximately 450 children who are under the court's jurisdiction. Each child has a case worker and an attorney. The CASA advocate has access to all court documents, medical documents, and educational documents for their child. When issues are heard before a judge, the advocate speaks on behalf of the child because San Luis Obispo County encourages the children to remain in school during court proceedings. Currently CASA advocates only serve one-third of the children in need. She thanked the HRC for their GIA grant and encouraged the HRC to continue their funding so they can continues to provide stable adult relationships for these children. She asked for clarification as to why told last year they were they were ineligible to receive CDBG funding. Deputy Director of Community Development Murry answered they were eligible as CDBG allows 15% of the grant money to be used for public services. The reason they were not successful was because the City Council has historically designated all the CDBG public service funds for the homeless shelter. Even with the CDBG public service funds the Council must also draw money from the City's General Fund in order to support the homeless shelter. Vice Chairperson Rosales encouraged speakers to contact City staff to determine if their agency would better qualify under the GIA program or the CDBG program. Peggy Fowler, Emergency Evection Prevention Program, noted their program helped to prevent homelessness and assisted the homeless to get back into housing. She spoke in support of the ten-year plan to end homelessness. Their goal has been to move people out of homelessness as soon as possible. She noted she appreciated receiving funding from the City of San Luis Obispo as well as the County of San Luis Obispo. Pearl Munak, Transitional Food and Shelter, noted they provided 24-hour emergency shelter for the medically fragile. She stated their caseload has been steadily increasing. They currently have 12 apartments. While they have made progress the organization G:\CD-PLAN\MCODRON\Housing\CDBG\CARs\September 3 2008 Minutes v3.doc Human Relations Commission Agenda (Draft Minutes) September 3, 2008 Page 5 hasn't been able to keep up due to the increase in the case load. Of their$110,000 budget all but $4,000 has been put toward the sheltering. The have been turning more people down who need the services. She asked the HRC if they would support their organization with CDBG funds. Commissioner Duffy inquired if they had 12 apartments would that mean their capacity was greater than 12. Pearl Munak replied most apartments house one or two individuals but some will take up to four people. Commissioner.Pronsolino asked why Ms. Munak thought there was such an increased demand for their services. Pearl Munak stated she believed the increase was due to more people becoming homeless. She noted Transitional Food and Shelter did not take calls from the public and only accepted referrals from an agency that had a doctor's letter Carol Schmit, Senior Peer Counseling, noted their organization provided in-home supportive counseling for those over 60 years old. They served clients throughout the County of San Luis Obispo. They received referrals from hospitals and adult proactive services. Many of their senior homebound clients required assistance with transitional issues such as health crises, downsizing, and other transitional life-changing events. Their organization has been the only program in the county to offer this service. As the senior population has been steadily increasing they have been working hard to grow to meet the needs. Scott Smith, People Self-Help Housing, left the meeting early due to another commitment. He provided a letter and asked City staff to distribute it to the HRC. It urged the HRC to continue prioritizing "Homeless Prevention" as the number one priority of health and human service needs for City of San Luis Obispo. Wanda McFarlane, Caring Callers, reported their organization served frail homebound lonely people. They often intervened for suicidal clients and referred clients to other resources. Also their clients often needed many other essential everyday services which they either provided or they contacted other agencies on behalf of their clients. Caring Callers served approximately 23 people in the City of San Luis Obispo during the last year, but have a waiting list and could accommodate approximately 20% more clients if they had the resources. She thanked the HRC for their support. Vice Chairperson Rosales asked the HRC what thoughts they had about reprioritizing or changing the GIA priorities. Commissioner Gingg replied he was shocked at the great need for services within the City of San Luis Obispo. Commissioner Duffy felt not ranking the established GIA priorities was the healthiest approach to take. G:\CD-PLAN\MCODRON\Housing\CDBG\CARS\September 3 2008 Minutes v3.doc Human Relations Commission Agenda (Draft Minutes) September 3, 2008 Page 6 1 Commissioner Blonslev thanked all the speakers. He stated he was overwhelmed by the need in the community and looked forward to being involved in a positive way. He noted some services seemed somewhat redundant and encouraged cooperation among the non profit services. Commissioner Sant wished resources were greater because there was such a great need. He expressed frustration trying to allocate the limited funds. He praised the good work and dedication local agencies have provided for local citizens. Vice Chairperson Rosales reported non-profit funding has decreased while needs continued to rise. She further stated the current GIA priorities were a— good representation of the needs expressed by the speakers. She believed the current priorities were well-placed and were enlightening for the HRC. Commissioner Pronsolino stated he was supportive of keeping the GIA priorities unranked. He further stated this would be a challenging year to choose one agency over another. ACTION: Moved by Pronsolino/Sant to adopt the following non-ranked GIA Funding Priorities; motion carried 6:0 (Lamb absent). • Homeless prevention (including mental health, substance abuse, financial stability, job training) and supportive services • Job training • Supportive health services (including mental health) • Services for senior and/or people with disabilities • Supportive services for youth; especially targeted to youth at risk Vice Chairperson Rosales noted the CDBG priorities have traditionally been ranked. Commissioner Sant asked for more clarification as to why the CASA program was not entitled to apply for CDBG grants. Deputy Director of Community Development Murry responded the maximum CDBG funds allowed (15%) for public services had typically been designated by Council to the support of the homeless shelter. It was not that CASA wasn't allowed to apply; it was that Council has chosen to award the entire 16% for-the homeless shelter. Vice Chairperson Rosales felt that the foster children served by CASA should be considered homeless. Commissioner Pronsolino believed they were already specified as homeless because of their placement in the foster care system and didn't want to exclude them from CDBG funding. Deputy Director of.Community Development Murry replied the HRC could add wording in their CDBG recommendation to include children who are homeless. G:\CD-PLAN\MCODRON\Housing\CDBG\CARS\September 3 2008 Minutes v3.doc ' Human Relations Commission Agenda (Draft Minutes) September 3, 2008 Page 7 Vice Chairperson Rosales inquired if it was worth an agency's time to spend the time applying for a CDBG grant if they would not receive funding. Janna Nichols, former HRC Chairperson, cautioned opening up the ability for an agency to be considered for part of the 15% public services funds would result in numerous requests for those funds. Commissioner Pronsolino stated the "bottom line" was how can the City most efficiently use those dollars. He believed taking funds from other homeless children to support a different program in a sense serving the same population. Janna Nichols reminded the HRC for at least the last five years the Council has needed to supplement the 15% of public services CDBG funding for the homeless shelter with money from the General Fund because CDBG awards have continued diminish each year. Commissioner Gin gg left at 7:10 p.m. Deputy Director of Community.Development Murry noted City staff would never tell applicants they can't apply-for a public service CDBG grant, but in order to ensure reasonable expectations, staff did inform applicants the Council had historically awarded all the CDBG public services funds to the homeless shelter. She felt, from previous Council actions that it was likely the Council would continue this practice. ACTION: Moved by Pronsolino/Sant to adopt the following ranked CDBG Funding Priorities: 1. Emergency shelter, homelessness prevention and services. 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 5:0 (Lamb, Gingg absent).. BUSINESS ITEMS (Continued) Item 3. REVIEW OF RECOMMENDED AMENDMENTS TO THE 2007 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS TO REALLOCATE FUNDS PROGRAMMED FOR THE SANTA ROSA_PARK ACCESSIBLE RESTROOM PROJECT TO THE LAGUNA LAKE ACCESSIBLE RESTROOM PROJECT. (CODRON) Housinq Programs Manager Codron presented an overview of the proposal to reallocate CDBG funds from the Santa Rosa Park Accessible Restroom Project to the Laguna Lake Accessible Restroom Project. He noted staff determined design work for G:\CD-PLAN\MCODRON\Housing\CDBG\CARs\September 3 2008 Minutes v3.doc HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION DRAFT MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING September 9, 2008 5:30 p.m. Council Chamber 990 Palm Street CALL TO ORDER: ROLL CALL: Vice Chairperson Charlene Rosales; Commissioners: Gill Blonsley, Trey Duffy, Bryan Gingg, and Dan Pronsolino ABSENT: Chairperson Stephan Lamb and Commissioner Sant STAFF PRESENT: Monica Irons, Director of Human Resources; Kim Murry, Deputy Director of Community Development; and Michael Codron, Housing Programs Manager; PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments for items not on the agenda. BUSINESS ITEM Item 1. CLARIFY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSIONERS INTENT REGARDING THE ORDER.OF THE 2009 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING PRIORITIES. (MURRY/CODRON) Deputy Director of Communitv.Develoament Murry informed the HRC the Power point presentation displayed at the September 3, 2008 HRC meeting inadvertently reversed the order of the top two CDBG funding priorities and that staff wanted to confirm the HRC's recommendation to Council. Brief HRC discussion ensued. Commissioners agreed the intention of the HRC at the September 3, 2008 was to retain the same order as the 2008 CDBG funding priorities. ACTION: Moved by Blonslev/Gingg to adopt the 2009 CDBG priorities as proposed with the grammatical changes presented to read as follows: 1. Develop and enhance affordable housing for low and very-low income persons. 2. Emergency shelter, homelessness prevention and services 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). Human Relations Commission Agenda (Draft Minutes) September 9, 2008 � Page 2 Motion carried: 5:0 (Lamb and Sant absent). COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Duff asked for more clarification regarding the cost for the CDBG- funded accessible restroom construction at Laguna Lake. Housinq Programs Manager Codron replied there were two restrooms; one was at the Laguna Lake dog park and the other at the entrance to the park. The $700,000 budget included design, demolition of the existing facilities, construction and project management for the entire development. There being no further business to come before the HRC, Vice Chairperson Rosales adjourned the HRC meeting at 5:55 P.M. p.m. to the next regular meeting of the HRC to be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2008, at 5`00 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room. Respectfully Submitted, Mary Kopecky Human Resources Executive Assistant CADocuments and Settings\mcodron\Desktop\September 9 2008 Minutesv2.doc