AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive a Staff presentation and hold discussion regarding the 2017 CDBG Action Plan, and provide direction to Staff.
Body
Meeting date: February 21, 2017
Department: Planning and Development Services
Funds Required: None
Account Number: N/A
Funds Available: N/A
Account Name: N/A
CITY COUNCIL GOAL: Goal #7 Maintain Fiscal Responsibility
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ELEMENT(s):
• Neighborhoods & Housing - Goal #4 Well-maintained, stable neighborhoods protected from blight
• Parks, Public Spacing & Facilities - Goal #1 Well-maintained public facilities that meet the needs of our community
BACKGROUND:
The City of San Marcos receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds each year from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The new funding year, Program Year 2017, will begin October 1, 2017 and end September 30, 2018. In order to receive the funding the City must create a document called the “Action Plan” which details how the funds will be allocated, who will benefit from the funded programs and projects, and establishes goals for each project or program.
Staff will provide a brief presentation to review program eligibility regulations and funding restrictions, followed by an opportunity for Council to provide early direction to staff regarding the 2017 Action Plan. This guidance might include a request for staff to prepare applications for specific projects, direction regarding the application process, or direction regarding the type of projects/programs to be considered in this year’s Action Plan. The Action Plan process calendar is included as an attachment to this item.
Although HUD has not yet announced the CDBG Program Year (PY) 2017 funding, staff anticipates that it will be approximately $500,000; the PY 2016 allocation is $525,164.
The Action Plan process must include opportunities for citizen participation. This is accomplished in a number of ways, included staff hosting Applicant and Stakeholder Workshops and the City Council conducting a public hearing. After Council determines what programs and projects will be funded in 2017, CDBG staff members prepare the Action Plan draft. The draft is made available in print form and on the City’s website for a 30-day review period. Once the comment period is over, the document is submitted to HUD for their approval. The deadline for submitting the document to HUD is August 15th.
Other agenda attachments include the current Citizens Participation Plan, the 2016 Income Limits (HUD has not yet issued the 2017 limits), and general information about the CDBG grant.