ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Director of Community Development with a Request to Concur with the Recommendation from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Services Commission to APPROVE the 2024 CDBG PUBLIC SERVICE APPLICATION.
Body
BACKGROUND: On an annual basis, the City of Peoria receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A maximum of 15% of the overall CDBG allocation is designated for public service activities. The CDBG Public Services Commission is the City Commission that reviews all the applications and makes funding recommendations regarding Public Service activities to City Council for final approval.
At the March 17 Commission meeting, the Commissioners voted to recommend ten (10) priorities for the application process this year. At the request of the Commission, staff created an online survey to include the eligible activities allowed per federal regulations. Each Commissioner, using his or her community knowledge and social service experience, ranked his or her top ten (10) priorities. The survey totals were calculated using a weighted scale for each response where the top priority was given ten points with the points lowering through the tenth priority.
The top ten priorities, ranked highest to lowest, included:
1) Youth Services (13-19)
2) Crime Awareness/Prevention
3) Child Care Services (Under 13)
4) Services for Abused and Neglected Children
5) Mental Health Services
6) Substance Abuse Services
7) Food Banks
8) Services for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault
9) Services for Persons with Disabilities
10) Transportation Services - General transportation services
Independent from the selection of the funding priorities, the Commission thoroughly reviewed and modified the application, timeline, and materials for clarity and content. Recommended changes include The Commission requested only an additional non-point question be added to the application, inquiring if organizations can fit into the priorities of the Tri-County Community Health Needs Assessment. The Commission requests City Council approval of the 2024 application that incorporates the recommended priorities, the timeline and evaluation form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: It is estimated that approximately $263,000 in CDBG public service funds will be available in fiscal year 2024.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Public hearings and public comment period are held per HUD grant requirements each year. In addition, the meetings of the CDBG Public Services Commission are open to the public. No public comment related to the funding priorities and application process, timeline and materials were received.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The Commission will proceed with their responsibility to receive, review and recommend to the City Council the use of CDBG funds for needed public service programs in fiscal year 2024.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The Commission will not be able to proceed with the 2024 application process as outlined and an alternative will need to be identified.
ALTERNATIVES: None identified at this time.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: All awarded public service subrecipients will be required to have valid EEO numbers.
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City
2. Beautiful Peoria
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
2. Have an efficient government.
DEPARTMENT: Community Development