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 arre...
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