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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1a - Additions for use of Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") Funds DATE: November 7, 2017 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Philip A. Wray, Deputy Director of Development Services/City Engineer By: Pat Auriemmo, Senior Administrative Assistant SUBJECT: ADDITIONS TO THE STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES AND PROJECTS FOR USE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (“CDBG”) FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017-18 AND MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Recommendation: Approve SUMMARY The overall goal of the Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) program is to provide assistance to low- and moderate-income families and individuals by enabling them to participate in various local community activities, improve facilities for disabled residents, and eliminate blighted or substandard housing conditions. The Los Angeles County Community Development Commission (“CDC”) has advised that the City of Arcadia is eligible to use $225,000 in unused funds this Fiscal Year. Two (2) Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”)/Accessibility Improvement projects were selected: City Facilities ADA Improvements and Transit Stop ADA Improvements. It is recommended that the City Council approve these projects for the use of CDBG funds. BACKGROUND For over 40 years, the City has been a participant in the Los Angeles Urban County’s Community Development Block Grant Program. The CDBG funds come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) and are administered by the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission (“CDC”) for participating cities in the County, including Arcadia. Use of these funds is restricted in order to meet the objectives of assisting low- and moderate-income families and improving disabled accessibility. Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) Funds November 7, 2017 Page 2 of 3 DISCUSSION Over the past several years, the City has been unable to spend all funds that have been allocated to its primary CDBG program, the Home Improvement Program. As such, there is approximately $225,000 in unused funds available for eligible projects. The City has completed ADA-related projects in the past, and has found them to have a wide community benefit. Therefore, the City is requesting two ADA Improvement projects, which qualify for the available funding. The two projects are described below: City Facilities ADA Improvements This new project provides ADA improvements to City facilities to allow unobstructed accessibility for the elderly and disabled. This project will include improvements to the Arcadia City Hall, Council Chambers, Community Center, and the Arcadia Public Library. The improvements may include: • An access ramp from the Council Chambers assembly floor up to the front raised stage area • Add or upgrade door closure hardware to meet the required door opening pressure standards for all doors accessible to the public, such as restrooms, department offices, and exits • Add handicapped parking stalls and accessible sidewalk connections in the Community Center parking lot • Add or upgrade signage for ADA accessible paths and ramps around all facilities • Automatic Door openers at key locations like the front door to the City Council Chambers The total funding requested for this project is $175,000. The specific scope of work and construction related activities will be identified during the design and engineering phase. Transit Stop ADA Improvements This new project provides unobstructed access to public transportation for the elderly and disabled by removing physical and material barriers found at Transit stops. These stops include those used by regional transportation providers as well as Arcadia Transit. The stops will be surveyed to identify those needing improvements, and the City will amend this request to include the detailed scope of work and the locations where the work will be performed. Total funding proposed for this project is $50,000. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact to the City’s General Fund to implement these CDBG-funded projects. CDBG funding comes from HUD and does not require a local match. These two projects were combined into one, and included in the 2017-18 Fiscal Year Capital Improvement Program in preparation for the expenditure of these funds. The intent is to expend all of the existing unused CDBG funds on these two projects. Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) Funds November 7, 2017 Page 3 of 3 RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council approve the additions to the Statement of Objectives and Projects for use of Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) funds for Fiscal Year 2017-18; and authorize and direct the City Manager to modify the project allocations should amendments become necessary, and execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission.