CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve a Substantial Amendment to the Program Year 2019 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan in the amount of $107,075 and a change to the scope of work for the Little Friends, Inc. and Turning Pointe Autism Foundation projects due to COVID-19 (Item 2 of 2)
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DEPARTMENT: City Clerk’s Office
SUBMITTED BY: Ruth Broder, Community Grants Coordinator
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The Annual Action Plan (AAP) outlines how Community Development Block (CDBG) funds will be spent in a certain program year and how the approved projects meet the objectives of the CDBG program and the Consolidated Plan. The AAP for Program Year 2019 was approved by the City Council on June 4, 2019. The City’s funding agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was signed and executed on July 23, 2019.
Due to the late receipt of Program Year 2018 CDBG funds, several subrecipients were still completing Program 2018 projects at the time the Program 2019 funds became available. Those subrecipients chose to defer the start of the Program Year 2019 projects to spring 2019. However, COVID-19 and ensuing shutdown resulted in additional delays and other changes that resulted in two agencies re-evaluating their original projects.
DISCUSSION:
Both Little Friends, Inc and Turning Pointe Autism Foundation have requested changes to the approved Scope of Work for each project. Accordingly, staff is recommending approval of a Substantial Amendment to the PY 2019 AAP as follows:
Scope Revision of Program Year 2019 Award - Little Friends, Inc.
Little Friends, Inc. was awarded $16,223 to improve the drainage system at a Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) for adults with disabilities. The project was delayed due to COVID-19 and Little Friends subsequently received an offer of an in-kind donation of labor to complete the project. Since the building was in need of several other rehabilitation projects that were made more acute by the pandemic, Little Friends has requested that the Scope of Work be revised from drainage system improvements to repair of water damage and waterproofing of the basement, replacement of the furnace, and rehabilitation of two bathrooms. The repairs will improve the heating system and air quality of the home (avoiding the development of harmful conditions such as mold) and allow for improved accessibility and easier cleaning of the bathrooms. The project budget remains unchanged, and Little Friends has agreed to pay for any additional costs.
Scope Revision of Program Year 2019 Award - Turning Pointe Autism Foundation.
Turning Pointe Autism Foundation was awarded $90,852 to construct classroom suites for day school at 1500 W. Ogden Avenue. Due to COVID-19 and the ensuing shutdown, Turning Pointe delayed bidding the project.
Although the school is now operational, Turning Pointe has concluded that conducting a major interior construction project at this time would not be in the best interests of its students, many of whom are medically vulnerable. As an alternative, Turning Pointe is proposing to use the funds to replace two air conditioning units on the roof of the building. In addition to providing more efficient and problem-free air conditioning, the units will also provide improved air circulation and air quality to the building. The project budget is expected to be lower than the budget for the classroom construction and any excess funds being reallocated to future CDBG projects.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Change of scope of work for Little Friends, Inc. and Turning Pointe Autism Foundation projects due to COVID-19 totaling $107,075.