ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from the City Manager and Community Development Director with a Request from the Advisory Commission on Human Resources (HRC) to Approve the Application, Timeline and Materials Pertaining to the 2016 CDBG PUBLIC SERVICE APPLICATION and the Motion on the Floor.
MOTION ON THE FLOOR: To Change the Maximum Funding Amount to $10,000.00 Per Agency.
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BACKGROUND:
At the September 8, 2015 City Council meeting, Council voted to defer the request from the HRC regarding the 2016/2017 CDBG Public Service funding priorities and application process/materials/timeline. Additional information regarding the proposed request from the HRC can be found under the “Previous Background Information” section below.
Council’s deferral did not specifically request additional action from the HRC regarding funding priorities or the application and materials. However, the motion to defer provided the Commission an opportunity for additional discussion and potential action for modification of its original requests sent to Council.
Actions of the HRC at its September 18, 2015 Commission meeting:
The HRC met on September 18, 2015 to discuss Council’s deferral. A copy of the draft meeting minutes are included as Attachment E.
After a thorough discussion, the HRC voted to send a modified recommendation to Council that specifically selected the funding priorities for the 2016/2017 CDBG Public Service application. The funding priorities are as follows:
1) Child Care Services (Under 13)
2) Youth Services (13 to 19)
3) Services for Abused and Neglected Children
4) Senior Services
5) Mental Health Services.
In addition to the selection of the funding priorities, HRC also voted to maintain the minimum grant award of $10,000.
Due to Council’s deferral, a modified timeline for the application process was needed. The HRC voted to approve the revised timeline.
A copy of the draft 2016/2017 CDBG Public Service application, timeline, and materials are included as Attachment D.
Staff Report back to City Council:
During the September 8th City Council meeting, members requested information regarding:
- Funds available in the community for workforce development
- Current City participation in employment training and services
- Summary of the past five (5) years of HRC priorities
- Funds available in the community to reduce poverty
- Funds available in the community dedicated to:
o Child Care Services (Under 13)
o Youth Services (13 to 19)
o Services for Abused and Neglected Children
o Senior Services
o Mental Health Services
- History of minimum grant award - date established, increase or decrease and reason for threshold
- Summary of past City HUD funding
Staff has compiled the information requested by the Council and the report back is included as Attachment F.
Previous Background information provided at the September 8, 2015 City Council meeting:
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 Advisory Commission on Human Resources (HRC) is the City Commission that receives, reviews and makes funding recommendations regarding public service activities to City Council for final approval.
At the August 21, 2015 Commission meeting, the Commissioners voted to present the results of an internal survey to Council with the recommendation that Council select five (5) priorities for the 2016/2017 application process. Attachment A is a memorandum from the HRC Chairperson, Nancy Rakoff, regarding the process of the Commission in making this request for the selection of priorities and the approval of the application process, timeline and materials. Attachment B includes the description of all the possible funding areas allowed by HUD that can be selected by Council.
The survey results showed a clear break in the Commission’s ranking (Attachment C). The top five priorities, ranked highest to lowest, included:
1) Child Care Services (Under 13)
2) Youth Services (13 to 19)
3) Services for Abused and Neglected Children
4) Senior Services
5) Mental Health Services.
After discussion among the Commissioners, City staff, and the Commission Liaison Council Member Moore, the Commission voted to send the survey results to Council with the recommendation of Council selecting five (5) priorities for the 2016/2017 application process.
Independent from the selection of the funding priorities, the HRC thoroughly reviewed and modified the application, timeline, and materials for clarity and content. The priorities selected by City Council will be incorporated where current placeholders are located. The Commission requests City Council approval of the 2016/2017 application process, timeline and materials (Attachment D).
FINANCIAL IMPACT: It is estimated that approximately $229,000 in CDBG public service funds will be available annually in fiscal years 2016 and 2017.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Public hearings and public comment period are held per HUD grant requirements each year and HRC meetings are open to the public for comment. The public comment received at the September 18, 2015 HRC meeting are included in Attachment E.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The HRC will be able to 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 2016/2017.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The HRC will not be able to 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 2016/2017 and an alternative will need to be identified.
ALTERNATIVES: None identified at this time.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A. All awarded public service sub-grantees will be required to have valid EEO numbers.
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City Government, Effective City Organization
2. Responsive, Efficient City Organization
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Support sustainability
2. Reinvest in neighborhoods
DEPARTMENT: Community Development