Title
Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response Fund Recommendation
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Move to approve the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Fund recommendation and forward to Council for approval as recommended by the Finance Committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Committee recommendation and forward it to Council.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the CDBG-CV Fund Recommendation and relevant Annual CDBG Action Plans including emergency Coronavirus response funds received through the CARES Act.
Staff Contact:
Cary Retlin, Housing Programs Manager, Community Planning & Development, 360.570.3956
Presenter(s):
Cary Retlin, Housing Programs Manager
Mike Reid, Economic Development Director
Keith Stahley, Assistant City Manager
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia along with all other entitlement communities across the country received a second round of CDBG-CV funds ($370,161) and the City also received our 2020 award of $403,529.
Staff will discuss a total budget of $1.183 million in combined CDBG funds from CDBG-CV and multiple program years, including the newest program year 2020 award ($403,529 and $370,161 in CDBG-CV funds). These recommendations focus on Coronavirus response and its impacts.
The Finance Committee reviewed this proposal at its October 14, 2020 meeting and recommends City Council approve this proposal.
In addition to those activities previously approved by City Council, the Finance Committee recommended the following new or expanded activities and programs:
• Increase funding for the South Sound Senior Center and the Food Bank of Thurston County.
• Fund an evening Outreach Program to help to prevent and respond to the spread of the coronavirus and lessen its impacts in our unhoused community.
• Increase funding for the Homeless Response Coordinator.
• Increase funding for Program Administration and Management.
Plan Amendments and Background on Public Hearings:
Amendments to the CDBG Annual Action Plans normally require a 30-day public comment period. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s coronavirus guidance and waivers shortened this process to five days.
On May 5, 2020, the Olympia City Council conducted a virtual public hearing on proposed amendments to Olympia’s Annual Action plan to reallocate new (CDBG-CV) and existing (Program Year 2019 and 2020) Community Development Block Grant Funds due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. City Council heard from community members both at the meeting and in writing about the impacts of the crisis on local food systems, shelter and small businesses. Three more program year amendments and virtual hearings were considered and approved related to Olympia’s CDBG and CDBG-CV activities at the October 20, 2020 Council meeting.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
CDBG funds are generally of interest to community organizations and businesses because funds can be spent in a variety of ways to meet the needs of low to moderate income individuals throughout the community.
Options:
1. Approve the Proposed Budget Amendments to relevant Annual Action Plans and reallocation of previous CDBG and CDBG-CV funds for the efforts described above and in the attached budget and forward a recommendation to Council.
2. Modify the Proposed Budget Amendments to relevant Annual Action Plans and reallocation of previous CDBG and CDBG-CV funds for the efforts described above and in the attached budget and forward a recommendation to Council.
3. Provide direction to staff on other action.
Financial Impact:
This budget includes a total of $1,183,529 in new and reallocated funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through CDBG for grants and program allocation.
Attachments:
Budget
CDBG-CV Quick Guide