Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 9/21/2010 (3) I *PLEASE NOTE: Since the Glendale City Council does not take formal action at the Workshops,Workshop minutes are not approved by the City Council. rIT'i Iii I GLENDr MINUTES OF THE GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP SESSION Council Chambers—Workshop Room 5850 West Glendale Avenue September 21, 2010 1:30 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Elaine M. Scruggs, Vice Mayor Steven E. Frate and Councilmembers Joyce V. Clark, David M. Goulet, Yvonne J. Knaack, H. Phillip Lieberman, and Manuel D. Martinez, ALSO PRESENT: Ed Beasley, City Manager; Horatio Skeete, Interim Assistant City Manager; Craig Tindall, City Attorney; and Pamela Hanna, City Clerk WORKSHOP SESSION 1. FISCAL YEAR 2011-12 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING PRIORITIES CITY STAFF PRESENTING THIS ITEM: Cathy Gorham, Deputy City Manager Community Services Group, Gilbert Lopez, Community Revitalization Administrator and Chris Flippen, Chair of the Community Development Advisory Committee This is a request for City Council to review its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding priorities for FY 2011-12. This will provide an opportunity for Council to provide feedback to staff and the members of the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) regarding CDBG funding priorities. The FY 2011-12 CDBG recommendations will address Council's goal of one community with strong neighborhoods. The recommendations will be consistent with the City's General Plan and developed with an extensive public participation process. Each year, the City of Glendale receives CDBG, HOME Investment Partnership (HOME), and Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. These funds generally total over $3.2 million and must be used for community development activities that benefit low/moderate income areas and citizens in our community. To assist the city in determining how the use of these federal funds should be prioritized, Council established the CDAC to review all CDBG applications and make recommendations to Council. The categories funded with CDBG funds are listed in the City's Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan. This plan is a community-based strategic plan which identifies housing and community development priorities, goals, and strategies for Glendale residents. In general terms, it outlines how funding is to be allocated throughout the life of the plan to meet specific purposes. Council adopted the FY 2010-14 Consolidated Plan on April 27, 2010. The Annual Action Plan is the implementation tool that provides all the funding goals and objectives for the applicable year. The current CDBG funding priorities are as follows: Housing rehabilitation programs; programs that benefit seniors and youth; programs that prevent homelessness; programs addressing social needs; programs related to quality of life issues; clearance and demolition of blighting conditions; and programs or projects that help revitalization efforts throughout Glendale, with an emphasis in the redevelopment area. After extensive public input that occurred from January to March 2010, the CDAC recommended the FY 2010-2014 Consolidated Plan and the FY 2010-11 CDBG funding priorities to Council on April 27, 2010. Council unanimously approved both items. The CDAC reviewed 50 applications, which included formal presentations by each of the applicants. As a result, the CDAC recommended $2,411,359 in CDBG grants; $691,717 in HOME grants; and $98,278 in ESG grants, all of which were accepted by Council. Since 1977, Glendale has received approximately $61 million in CDBG funds to assist thousands of Glendale homeowners and individuals with services that provide safe housing and improved living conditions. These funds have helped Glendale residents through the provision of homeless prevention, senior, youth, and disabled public service programs that provide a compassionate hand to those in need. The funds have been used on many physical improvement projects and for a variety of revitalization projects including downtown infrastructure and the removal of blighted, under- utilized structures. The citizen participation process used to develop the FY 2011-12 CDBG funding recommendations included a grant orientation session for all CDBG applicants on September 15, 2010, and will also include five separate public hearings to be conducted by the CDAC in January 2011 and a final public hearing by Council planned for March 2011. 2 All public meetings and hearings are posted and advertised in The Glendale Star. Throughout the process, citizens and stakeholders will be able provide input and commentary through a variety of outreach efforts such as e-mail, mail,phone, on the city's website, or in person. This is a request for City Council to review its Community Development Block Grant funding priorities for FY 2011-12 and provide direction. Horatio Skeete, Interim Assistant City Manager, introduced the item. Cathy Gorham, Deputy City Manager, stated the City of Glendale receives CDBG, HOME Investment Partnership, and Emergency Shelter Grant funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development totaling over $3.2 million. These funds must be used for community development activities that benefit low/moderate income areas and citizens in the community. She indicated they had just kicked off on September 15, 2010, an orientation grant session for all CDBG applicants, present and future. This is the first of an eight month process that also includes five separate public hearings to be conducted by the CDAC in January 2011 and a final public hearing by Council planned for March 2011. She said Mr. Chris Flippen, Chair of the Community Development Advisory Committee, and Gilbert Lopez, Community Revitalization Administrator, were present to address the City Council. Mr. Flippen will discuss Council's existing priorities and seek direction on what Council requests the committee consider to ensure their goals, as well as the needs of the community, are met. Ms. Gorham explained that last week, the federal government announced the city will receive an additional $3.7 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funding. The federal government will release their guidelines for this grant in the near future. This new funding is scheduled to work through a separate process. Councilmember Martinez asked if any of this funding will help the foreclosure problem. Mr. Lopez explained everything collected to date from the federal government will be used to stabilize neighborhoods, which will help the foreclosure situation. Councilmember Clark remarked that under NSP1, the city was awarded $6 million to help 40-45 homes in the community. She inquired as to what was actually done to those homes with the money. Mr. Lopez explained the money was used to purchase foreclosed homes, rehabilitate them and put them back on the market. Councilmember Clark stated $6 million sounded like a lot of money to only purchase 40 homes. She asked what the average cost to rehabilitate a home was. Mr. Lopez noted about half of the money, $3 million, was used to purchase property for two large senior housing projects. He estimated that $130,000 is needed to purchase and rehabilitate a home. He noted any money not used is rolled back into the housing program fund and into the neighborhoods. Councilmember Lieberman asked if any of these homes were financed through Freddie Mac or were they financed by a local bank program. Mr. Lopez explained their first goal is to finance the homes through FHA. However, if the buyer cannot obtain the loan, the loan can be financed through the non-profit organization which has been used for many years to receive payments. Councilmember Lieberman asked how many homes were being financed now. Mr. Lopez noted 3 he did not have the exact number of homes but the portfolio indicates the dollar amount is approximately $3 million. He added that proceeds to the city from the sale of these homes ranges anywhere from $20,000 to $200,000 a year. Mr. Lopez reviewed some of Glendale's accomplishments, including senior programs, YWCA Meals on Wheels program and the Glendale Boys and Girls Club programs. He introduced Chris Flippen, Chair of the Community Development Advisory Committee, to speak about existing Council priorities for the program. Mr. Flippen explained their committee conducts an extensive review and a public hearing process to decide on recommendations that meet the Council's priorities. They try to provide the most benefit to Glendale citizens that they possibly can. Some of the priorities are housing rehabilitation programs, senior and youth programs, homeless prevention programs, immediate critical services, quality of life issues and revitalization and redevelopment efforts. A review of current programs and duplications are also evaluated. He asked for comments or direction from the Council. Mayor Scruggs inquired as to the significance of the charts identifying past funding for agencies over the last five years. Mr. Lopez stated the charts were provided as background information and as a reference point of what has been done in the past. Mayor Scruggs asked for clarification on the 2010/2014 Consolidated Plan. Mr. Lopez stated the Consolidated Plan was a very broadly written document, including a community needs assessment and based on different indicators that the federal government will fund. The plan is flexible in that every year; the annual action plan updates the priorities the Council will set, as well as their recommendations. Councilmember Goulet commended Mr. Flippen and staff on a remarkable job done in a very difficult area. He praised their work on senior and youth programs. He noted that many say the city did not care about seniors or youth, which is clearly not the case. He suggested an additional component of helping the individual applicant be successful once the city funds them. The objective should be to have the city not continue to totally fund them. Mr. Flippen thanked Councilmember Goulet for his kind words and noted he will relay his comments to the committee. He stated the organizations tracks and records the applicant's ability to complete their objective which includes a positive impact on the community. This objective is one of their primary considerations. Councilmember Lieberman also commended Mr. Flippen and staff for all their work in the community. He referenced the Meals on Wheels program, which was a great service to the community. He also remarked on the many juvenile programs such as Faith House and New Leaf which have helped the community greatly. Councilmember Clark commented on Westside Food Bank currently not having a location in south Glendale. She stated the city invested $2500 in upgrades for that building and asked if anyone was using it. Ms. Gorham explained it was actually the St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance that provided the food. The city was notified last May that the food bank would be relocating their services from Glendale to their Main Campus on Thomas. However, they will still be using their 40 plus affiliate organizations throughout the community to continue to distribute food to 4 Glendale residents. In answer to the renovation and occupancy of the building, she noted that portions of the renovation have been delayed. Additionally, the city has issued a request for proposal for any non-profit organizations that are interested in providing a similar food pantry service in the community to apply. The deadline is September 30, 2010. Councilmember Clark stated the city previously allocated $30,000 for in-home delivery and asked if that still occurred. Ms. Gorham replied they are continuing to provide that delivery service. Councilmember Clark commented on New Leaf and the many areas in which they receive grant funding totaling $30,800. She noted New Leaf also receives a total of $278,901 in CDBG program funding. She questioned the concept of 10% of the funding going to one agency. She remarked this trend has started to concern her since New Leaf is relying heavily on public funds. She would like staff to examine how much one agency was receiving so as perhaps to open it up and extend it to other agencies. Councilmember Knaack commended staff for their work and believes they do a great job in securitizing each program. She indicated she had no problem with one agency receiving more funding if they were getting the job done. She inquired if any new agencies have applied recently. Mr. Lopez explained they receive inquires all the time from new agencies in their orientation workshops. He discussed the many requirements agencies needed in order to be considered. Councilmember Martinez thanked Mr. Flippen and staff for their work especially in the foreclosure problem. He asked that any money that can be programmed from these funds be used to help the people most in need in the community especially keeping families in their homes. He inquired how agencies were chosen out of similar ones applying. Mr. Lopez explained the agency that offers the most and is most efficient is often the one chosen. Each agency is assessed on their own merits and their track record on meeting community needs and financial accountability. Mr. Flippen added they try to weigh the success of the organization and how they did in the past. He noted in the case of New Leaf, sometimes there are on-going projects that need to continue to be funded in order for them to be successful. He indicated they were always open to new organizations and try to effectively place those funds where they can impact the most number of Glendale citizens. Councilmember Martinez remarked that New Leaf must be doing a good job in getting results since they continue to be funded. Mayor Scruggs commented on the difficult times people are currently having. She stated agencies across the state are experiencing reductions of all kinds. She explained one of the main reasons the south food bank relocated was because the agency had to lay off people. She indicated she too considered funding new agencies; however, in the current market, she has changed her thinking and would rather fund an agency with a proven record. Mayor Scruggs stated it was her understanding that Glendale Family Development Center did not exist any longer and is now part of Upward Foundation. She stated it was important to note when making decisions for this group, that this agency was different from Glendale Family Development Center. 5 Mayor Scruggs remarked it was her opinion that any funding available should go to core needs first. She stated her office was getting a lot of calls for food and utility assistance. She was very proud of the staff in the Mayor's office because of the phenomenal job they were doing calling agencies to help people in need. She explained this was not part of their job; however, once they hear the heart wrenching stories, there is no way they cannot help. She suggests Council give a higher priority to food and utility assistance. She agrees with Councilmember Martinez to try and keep families together and in their homes. Councilmember Clark explained her comments on the New Leaf agency did not have to do with the agency's ability, but simply questioned the funding level. She discussed some worthwhile agencies that did not receive funding, but have proven track records as well. She noted her concerns that Code was relying heavily on CDBG funding for clean-up work of foreclosed homes. She added that foreclosures in Glendale were greater this year than in 2009. She would like Code to obtain more funding to address the many foreclosures/vacant properties in the area. She believes this was a critical area which needs additional funding. Vice Mayor Frate thanked Mr. Flippen and staff for all their hard work. He stated they will never have enough money for everyone who applies for a grant. Therefore, it was important for them to look closely at their results. He explained emergency home repairs were important for seniors and individuals who have their air conditioners break in the summer months. He added it was imperative they help these individuals, which meant putting money aside for these types of cases. He discussed the homeless problem and the work Glendale is doing to help those agencies. He commented on the agencies that have applied and have been declined simply because there is not enough money to go around. He hopes they will reapply next year because the city still wants to hear from them. He noted the many agencies that exist today and how partnerships have grown. Mr. Flippen stated it was important to note they were not experts, but neighbors who care deeply about these issues. He noted these issues were very personal to him since he knows of friends that were struggling in this economy. He indicated that a lot of their constraints come from federal government requirements. Mayor Scruggs asked if the majority of Council agreed the focus was to help keep people in their homes, help keep neighborhoods whole, safe and stabilized, help with home repairs and help with utilities and food. The majority of City Council voiced agreement with focusing on core needs as summarized by the Mayor. Ms. Gorham stated the Council's input was exactly what staff was seeking today. She indicated that Council had vocalized priorities that can help meet the needs staff are observing across the community. Councilmember Lieberman remarked that sadly, West Valley Child Crisis Center no longer existed. Mayor Scruggs thanked Mr. Flippen and staff for their extraordinary work. As no further business was introduced, Mayor Scruggs adjourned the meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 2:35 p.m. 6 7