Placement: Other Public Hearings
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
title
Public Hearing for Public Input on the Amendment of the 2019 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan & Funding Allocations
body
Submitted By: Alessandra Tasca, Community Programs Administrator, Neighborhood Services
Strategic Plan Link: The City’s Mission to be responsive to our community.
Executive Summary (General Business): This request is to add $748,802 of CDBG-CV (Coronavirus) funding to the 2019 CDBG Action Plan amending the plan as required by HUD before the funding can be spent. Staff will return with a future agenda item with proposals to allocate this funding on specific projects in response to the pandemic.
Presentation Information: N/A, staff is available for questions.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve amending the City’s 2019/20 CDBG Action Plan to incorporate this round of funding and open the public hearing to receive public comments for a 5-day period as required by HUD.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve the required action plan amendment.
2. Move that the Council not approve the proposed amendment and provide staff direction.
Background: In April 2020, the City received $643,773 in (CDBG-CV Round 1) funds for the 2019/2020 program year which runs from October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020. A public hearing was held in May 2020 regarding the first round of funding. In September 2020 the City received notification of an additional allocation of $748,802 in (CDBG-CV Round 3) funds for the same 2019/2020 program year. The City’s cumulative amount for all allocation rounds is $1,392,575 and the Action Plan will be amended to reflect this latest allocation. These CDBG-CV funds are to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19). This allocation was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136, which was signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020, to respond to the growing effects of this historic public health crisis.
In general, eligible projects must benefit low-income to moderate-income persons, address an urgent need or address slum and blight. All activities must follow all of HUD’s rules and regulations and duplication of benefits must be avoided. Eligible activity categories include public facilities, public services, housing, and community and economic development.
Staff will recommend that the cumulative allocation be used for COVID-19 relief and response under one or more of the following program categories:
• Provide funding for an Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program
• Provide economic support to area small businesses through a grant program
• Provide microenterprise assistance - for food delivery, cleaning & other services to support home health & quarantine
• Provide equipment, supplies & materials needed to carry out a public service
• Gather data and develop non-project specific infectious disease response plan
To date the CDBG-CV funding has been used to provide Wi-Fi hotspots for families in need to provide further access to virtual school options during the pandemic and vaccine events to further access to vaccines in low to moderate income areas. Additional activities will be planned as community unmet needs and input are analyzed and other funding sources and projects are taken into consideration. Currently, rental and mortgage assistance programs are being provided through other allocations that have been received via the Florida Housing Coalition and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. CDBG-CV rental and mortgage assistance will be offered after these other programs have been exhausted. Additional, project plans will be reviewed by staff and brought forward in the City’s updated CDBG 5-year Consolidated Plan and Action Plan this summer.
Issues/Analysis: N/A
Financial Information: Projects managed and funded by the CDBG program.
Special Consideration: The City has 6-years in total to spend this funding; however, we believe the funds will be spent much sooner than the deadline as we continue to work with our HUD representatives to analyze our community’s needs.
Location of Project: City of Port St. Lucie city limits.
Attachments: Legal ad noticing this action published at least 5 days prior to the meeting, and the letter from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding the City’s CDBG-CV Round 3 allocation.
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: N/A
Legal Sufficiency Review:
N/A