AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive a Staff presentation and hold a Public Hearing to receive comments for or against Resolution 2024-137R, adopting the Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) Action Plan that provides for the allocation of $1,405,990.00 in CDBG entitlement funds for program year 2024-2025; authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to act as the official representative of the city in matters related to the CDBG Program and Action Plan; and declaring an effective date; and consider approval of Resolution 2024-137R.
Body
Meeting date: August 5, 2024
Department: Planning and Development Services
Amount & Source of Funding
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Funds Available: Click or tap here to enter text.
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Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: On May 19, 2020, the City Council approved Resolution 2020-105R approving a consolidated plan for fiscal years 2020-2024 that provides guidance for annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding allocations.
City Council Strategic Initiative: [Please select from the dropdown menu below]
Quality of Life & Sense of Place
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Comprehensive Plan Element (s): [Please select the Plan element(s) and Goal # from dropdown menu below]
☐ Economic Development - Choose an item.
☐ Environment & Resource Protection - Choose an item.
☐ Land Use - Choose an item.
☒ Neighborhoods & Housing - Well maintained, stable neighborhoods protected from encroachment of incompatible land uses
☒ Parks, Public Spaces & Facilities - Collection of connected and easily navigated parks and public spaces
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☐ Core Services
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Master Plan: [Please select the corresponding Master Plan from the dropdown menu below (if applicable)]
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Background Information:
The draft 2024-2025 Action Plan is attached. Yellow highlights indicate information that will be entered after the August 5 City Council meeting, such as comments received.
Attachments also include the recommended funding allocation table and a list of public comments received so far. A public hearing was held June 4, and the draft Action Plan and proposed funding table were posted for public comment June 7 - July 9.
Below is a link to the City’s web page with applications and scoring summary:
<https://sanmarcostx.gov/3065/CDBG-Action-Plans>
This year San Marcos has been allocated $766,063 in CDBG funding from HUD. During a work session on April 16, Council directed the reallocation of CDBG funds of $639,927 from various projects from previous years. That funding will be added to this year’s allocation, so the total to be allocated through this year’s application process is $1.4 million.
Please note: each year no more than 15% can be spent on public services and no more than 20% on administration or planning. San Marcos spends all of its public services and administration funding every year, so none of these funds were available to roll forward. The amount rolled forward can only be spent on projects.
Of the $766,063 allocated HUD for 2024-2025:
• 70% must benefit people with low/mod incomes = $536,244 (Low/mod = less than 80% of Area Median Income)
• No more than 15% for public services = $114,909
• No more than 20% on Admin or Planning = $153,213
Additional funding reallocated from previous years = $639,927
ADMINISTRATION
City - Administration - Requested $153,213 Recommended $153,213
Staff cost for managing the grant projects and programs. Staff hours are tracked.
PROJECTS
City- Swift Memorial Park Requested $127,775 Recommended $127,775
Complete funding for project that was partially funded by CDBG Program Year (PY) 23-24. Install turf to replace mulch, install shade structure, resurface basketball court, add ADA access entries, add bottle filler fountain.
City - Housing Rehab Requested $280,000 Recommended $260,470
Funding of City’s Housing Rehabilitation and Repair Program, providing home repair for applicants with income less than 80% of Area Median Income.
City-Thorpe Lane Sidewalk Requested $750,000 Recommended $645,788
Funding of design and construction of sidewalk improvements, including ADA accessible upgrades, along Thorpe Lane from Robbie Lane to Loop 82. The amount requested was approximate based on prior experience, and $2-300,000 was for design. The staff committee felt that the amount could be cut this year, and funding could be added in the future if additional is needed for construction. Please note that if this project is designed using CDBG funding, it must be constructed in order to meet the national objective of serving low to moderate income people, so it will need to be fully funded in future years.
Outsiders Anonymous-Outsider Housing Program Requested $54,000 Recommended $45,420
Partial funding for interim housing for people in recovery from substance addiction. Funding would support either acquisition or leasing and/or configuration of a living facility for approximately 10 people.
San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District- Barrio Pescado Fitness Trail Requested $58,414 Recommended $58,415
Complete funding for purchase and installation for 10 stations of outdoor exercise equipment along a 1-mile loop on SMCISD property. The loop follows Broadway, Staples, De Zavala Dr, and Hwy 123. Equipment would be available to the public for use at all times.
PUBLIC SERVICES
Court Appointed Special Advocates Requested $60,000 Recommended $37,909
Partial funding for staff and utilities for CASA, which trains volunteers who are voices in the courts, in schools, and in the child welfare system to ensure representation of the children and youth's best interests in terms of their medical, educational, mental health, housing, and long-term needs for permanency.
Greater San Marcos Youth Council - Family and Youth Success Program Requested $20,000 Recommended $13,000
Reduce the wait list and expand services to San Marcos families with children ages 6-17; increase the numbers served through the National Family Support Network program with the purchase of supplies, space rental, and a portion of the funding for the lead Family Support Specialist responsible for the program.
Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center - Family Violence Shelter Program Requested $49,500 Recommended $28,000
The funding requested was to pay a small portion of the salary for two of HCWC's shelter staff who provide services to victims of family violence, and to provide two months’ rent for approximately 13 families moving into their own home/apartment in San Marcos after leaving HCWC's family violence shelter.
Salvation Army - Emergency Services Requested $75,000 Recommended $12,000
The funding requested was for emergency payments for utilities, shelter, prescription medicines, food, clothing, and transportation. Salvation Army staff assist clients in creating a budget.
Southside Community Center - Emergency Services Requested $35,000 Recommended $12,000
The funding requested was to provide emergency payments for rent, utilities, shelter, food clothing and transportation, and for a small portion of a case manager’s salary.
Society of St Vincent de Paul - Emergency Services Requested $14,000 Recommended $12,000
The funding requested was for emergency assistance with utility bills, medical costs, prescriptions, gasoline, bus tickets, emergency food, emergency shelter, rent. Volunteers visit with applicants to review their situation and determine how best to help.
Public Review
Comments received so far are provided in an attachment.
City Council held a public hearing on June 4 to receive comments on potential uses of funds, and the draft Action Plan was posted online and on paper at City Hall and the Library from June 7 through July 9.
The staff review committee consisted of:
Planning and Development Services
Carol Griffith, Housing and Community Development Manager
Irma Duran, Community Initiatives Program Administrator
Finance
Zindi Castillo, Accountant II
Neighborhood Enhancement
Tiffany Harris, Community Vitality Coordinator
City Manager’s Office
Hayden Migl, Director of Administrative Services
Grisell Perez-Carey, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
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Alternatives:
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Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the funding allocations and adoption of the 2024-2025 Action plan as presented.