ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from the City Manager and the Community Development Director with a Request to APPROVE the ADDITION of a BUILDING SAFETY INSPECTOR and Two CODE ENFORCEMENT INSPECTORS in the Community Development Department Funded with the Anticipated 2015 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (Generally Council Districts 1, 2, & 3)
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Peoria is considered an entitlement jurisdiction by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As such, funds from the federal government, through HUD, are allocated to the City of Peoria on an annual basis by the use of a formula. Unlike many grants, there is no competitive application for these funds. Each entitlement jurisdiction receives a set amount based upon Congressional funding and adjustments to the allocation formula. The City receives three formula grants: 1) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); 2) HOME Investment Partnership Grant and 3) Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG).
The use of CDBG funds for code enforcement activities is a permitted use under the federal regulations and is further explained in the recently released HUD guidance, Notice: CPD-14-016 issued in October 2014. For CDBG program purposes, code enforcement is defined as "a process whereby local governments gain compliance with ordinances and regulations regarding health and housing codes, land use and zoning ordinances, sign standards and uniform building and fire codes".
Eligible costs include the cost of inspection and enforcement of codes (e.g., salaries and related expenses of code enforcement inspectors and legal proceedings, but not the cost of correcting the violation) in deteriorating or deteriorated areas, if such area meets a CDBG national objective, when such enforcement together with public or private improvements, rehabilitation or services to be provided may be expected to arrest the decline of the area.
Staff reviewed the goals of the Neighborhood Wellness Plan, received and filed by City Council on May 27, 2014 (item # 14-216) and implemented by staff in 2014. To continue the implementation of the Plan, staff recommends the use of CDBG funds to hire an additional Building Inspector and two (2) Code Enforcement Inspectors. The Building Inspector would be dedicated to commercial property maintenance code enforcement, focusing on building related conditions of commercial properties. The Code Enforcement Inspectors would be dedicated to the enforcement of the property maintenance code for residential properties. In order to meet a national objective for the CDBG regulations, all three positions would be assigned to the low-income area of the City (see attached map).
All three positions' costs (salaries and related benefits) would be covered with CDBG funds and would not increase the amount of operating funds allocated to Community Development for existing personnel costs. While the 2015 HUD grant allocation has not yet been received by the City, the job postings would be released soon after Council approval to expedite the hiring process once funds are released by HUD. Similar to other positions that are grant funded, the three additional positions will be included in subsequent budgets for continued employment. The three positions are grant funded, therefore, they are contingent on the City continuing to receive CDBG funds from the Federal Government. A reduction/elimination of CDBG funds would cause the elimination of these three positions.
At the January 13, 2015 Council meeting, the administration brought a recommendation to hire Matrix Consulting Group to determine - among other items - the appropriate staffing levels in the Building Safety and Code Enforcement Divisions. While the Council has not approved entering into this contractual agreement, the administration believes that the addition of these three positions would increase the capacity of the two divisions to respond to building and property maintenance issues in an accelerated manner.
Since 2000, the staffing levels in both the Building Safety and Code Enforcement Divisions have been drastically cut. In 2000, there were 27 total personnel (including 16 Inspectors) assigned to Code Enforcement. In 2015, there are 8 total personnel (including 6 inspectors). The Building Safety Division consisted of 16 total personnel in 2000, with 8 total personnel in 2015. The addition of these three positions will not return either division to full capacity, but will assist in delivering services to the community.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None at this time. The request is for Council to approve the increase of personnel in the Community Development Department by adding two Code Enforcement Inspectors and Building Inspector. An additional request will be sent to Council to adopt an ordinance amending the budget once the 2015 HUD grant funds are received by the City. The three additional positions will be funded with 2015 CDBG grant funds.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: None at this time. However, increased code enforcement for both residential and commercial properties have been identified as concerns of both residents and City Council members.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The personnel count in Community Development will be increased to include three positions - Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Inspectors. The positions will be funded with 2015 CDBG grant funds, focus on the low-income area of the City and continue the implementation of the Neighborhood Wellness Plan.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The personnel count in Community Development will remain the same and different strategies will need to be explored to continue the implementation of the Neighborhood Wellness Plan.
ALTERNATIVES: None identified at this time.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL'S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Attractive Neighborhoods with Character: Safe and Livable
2. Financially Sound City Government, Effective City Organization
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