Placement: Other Public Hearings
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Public Hearing for the Amendment of the 2019 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan - Mobile tutoring and education program with the Boys and Girls Club of St. Lucie County
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Submitted By: Alessandra Tasca, Community Programs Administrator, Neighborhood Services
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of quality education for all residents.
Executive Summary (General Business): Staff is requesting City Council approval to move forward in the development of a mobile tutoring and education program together with the Boys and Girls Club of St. Lucie County to be funded by CDBG funds. This would require the development of a HUD approved project plan and subrecipient agreement together with the amendment of the City’s 2019 CDBG Action Plan. If approved staff will provide the City Manager and City Council with updates on the progress of the program.
Presentation Information: N/A, staff is available for questions
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve that staff move forward with the development of the proposed program, amendment of the 2019 CDBG Action Plan and open the 30-day public comment period.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and and open the 30-day public comment period.
2. Move that the Council not approve the recommendation, postpone the public comment period and provide staff direction.
Background: The Action Plan is the annual operating plan designed to meet specific objectives identified in the City’s Consolidated Plan. It lists the activities that Port St. Lucie intends to pursue through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to address the objectives identified in the Consolidated Plan. The plans are available on the City’s website for review at www.cityofpsl.com/cdbg.
A public hearing was held in May 2020 regarding an amendment to the 2019/2020 program year which incorporated and transferred $118,000 of Neighborhood Stabilization Program income into the CDBG program. Via the City Manager’s Office, in an effort to further the City’s Strategic Plan Goal 3: Quality Education for all Residents staff is recommending to use this funding and additional CDBG funding to collaborate on a mobile tutoring and education program with the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Lucie (BGCSLC) County. The total program cost shall not exceed $150,000 and the City will set up a HUD approved sub-recipient agreement with the BGCSLC to manage the program. Mobile tutoring centers will be set up and run in HUD approved low-income and moderate income areas in an effort to bring educational services to families in need and assist them in making sure they have access to tools to help students access and stay up-to-date with learning objectives in light of the changes that have occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the onset of virtual school programs. Upon City Council’s approval of the new project and opening of the public hearing staff will work with the BGCSLC to prepare a project plan that will be presented to Council in preparation for the launch of the program.
In general, eligible projects must benefit low and 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.
Issues/Analysis: The final execution of the program is contingent on finalizing a project plan and subrecipient agreement that is approved by HUD, the BGCSLC and the City. The public comment period for this project will be open for 30 days.
Financial Information: Max program budget is $150,000 to be paid for with CDBG funds.
Special Consideration: The Director of Strategic Initiatives & Innovation, Kate Parmelee, is supporting this program as part of the City’s Strategic Goal 3: Quality Education for All. This program was conceptualized and will be developed to counteract some of the data that is beginning to show that some students can potentially fall behind as a result of not being in school full time and being home bound under a virtual school program.
Location of Project: City of Port St. Lucie city limits, low and moderate income census tracts in particular.
Attachments: Legal ad published at least 5 days prior to the public hearing.
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