CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Conduct a public hearing for the allocation of $296,985 in Community Development Block Grant CARES Act funds (Item 1 of 2)
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DEPARTMENT: City Clerk's Office
SUBMITTED BY: Ruth Broder, Community Grants Coordinator
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
At the July 21, 2020 Council meeting, the City conducted a public hearing prior to approving a Substantial Amendment to the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Year 2019 Annual Action Plan. The public hearing concluded a five-day public comment period. No comments were received.
By approving the Substantial Amendment, the Council approved the allocation of $315,985 in CDBG CARES Act funds, and the reprogramming of $81,000 in Program Year 2019 CDBG funding, for a total CDBG Cares Act allocation of $396,986.
In addition to the funding amount, Council also approved the following three categories for which grantees could apply:
1. Public services ($236,985)
Program assistance to individuals, households, and businesses
2. Economic development ($100,000)
Assistance to small businesses
3. Public facilities ($60,000)
Assistance to nonprofits for capital improvements and costs associated with preventing, preparing for, and responding to the impacts of COVID-19
After Council approval on July 21, staff initiated a grant application process. Applications have been reviewed and allocations are being recommended for those in categories #1 and #3 for a total of $296,985. A separate, more in-depth, process is necessary for awards related to small business assistance.
DISCUSSION:
Although the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) does not require a second public hearing to approve the award of funds to individual agencies, the City's Citizen Participation Plan encourages public comment and public hearings to obtain the views of the public on community development projects.
The City will conduct a five-day public comment period b...
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