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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 09a - Addition to Statement of Objectives and Projects for use of Community Block Grant (CDBG) Funds DATE: May 21, 2019 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: Patricia Auriemmo, Senior Administrative Assistant SUBJECT: ADDITION TO THE STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES AND PROJECTS FOR USE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (“CDBG”) FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019-20 TO MAKE BUS/TRANSIT STOP ADA IMPROVEMENTS, 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. In November 2017, the City Council approved the use of unused CDBG funds for the Bus and Transit ADA Stop Improvements Project in the amount of $50,000. Before the project design was completed the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission (“CDC”) advised that the City of Arcadia’s amount of unused CDBG funds has increased to $210,000 for Fiscal Year 2019-20. As a result, the project scope will be expanded to utilize the additional funding for other bus and transit stop deficiencies on the priority list. It is recommended that the City Council approve this addition to the Statement of Objectives and Projects for use of CDBG funding. 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 Addition to Statement of Objectives Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) Funds May 21, 2019 Page 2 of 3 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. In November 2017, the City Council approved the use of unused CDBG funds for two Capital Improvement Projects: the City Facilities ADA Improvements in the amount of $175,000, and the Transit Stop ADA Improvements in the amount of $50,000. The City Facilities ADA Improvement project was completed, and recently was honored by an award from Congresswoman Judy Chu’s office, but the Transit Stop ADA Improvement project progressed only as far as design. On January 15, 2019, City Council approved the Statement of Objectives and Projects for use of Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) Funds for the Fiscal Year 2019-20. This included the Home Improvement Program, Congregate Meals for Seniors, Information and Referral Services for Seniors, and the Homeless Initiatives Programs. After providing the requested funding budget of $327,683, there is still approximately $210,000 in unused funds available, greater than originally projected. DISCUSSION From past experience using CDBG funds on projects such as the recently completed ADA-related project (City Facilities ADA Improvements), the City has found these types of projects have a wide community benefit. Therefore, the City is requesting the use of these funds to expand the scope of the previously approved ADA improvement project as described below. Bus and Transit Stop ADA Improvements: Several bus stops in the City either have physical or material barriers, or are lacking the needed amenities for elderly and disabled bus riders. Some of these stops are used by Metro and Foothill Transit, and some are used exclusively by the Arcadia Transit system. The project will address two general components. The first component is to expand the waiting areas, improve the access paths, and add/upgrade amenities such as bus benches, shelters, trash receptacles, and kiosks at a few of the most popular stops, such as those adjacent to Santa Anita Race Track, the Westfield Santa Anita Mall and along Huntington Drive. Some of these stops get heavy use, and user amenities are seriously lacking. The other component of the project is to add sidewalk and curb ramps at Arcadia Transit stops where gaps or barriers to access exist. Some of the more popular and widely used stops are lacking adequate waiting areas and amenities such as bus benches and shelters. Some of the exclusive Arcadia Transit stops are not ADA accessible because they lack concrete landings, sidewalks, or curb ramps. This project will focus on making these various improvements while not obstructing sidewalks and parkways for other uses, and restoring any damaged or displaced landscaping. Addition to Statement of Objectives Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) Funds May 21, 2019 Page 3 of 3 A survey has been conducted to establish an inventory of locations for improvements. The preliminary scope is to include four (4) Metro and Foothill Stops, and five (5) Arcadia Transit Stops. The inventory will be reevaluated during project design and cost estimating to determine the final scope of improvements, and the environmental determination will be made at that time. The total funding proposed for this project is $210,000. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA. 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. Additionally, this is the best source of funding for these types of improvements. This project is included in the 2019-20 Fiscal Year Capital Improvement Program in preparation for the expenditure of these funds. As mentioned, this funding is considered “unused” from prior years. Previously, these unused funds were allowed to be carried over but we have been advised that this funding must be programmed. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council approve the addition to the Statement of Objectives and Projects for use of Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) funds for Fiscal Year 2019-20 for bus/transit stop ADA improvements; 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.