Title
Hearing to consider adoption of Resolution approving submittal of a Community Development Block Grant, Economic Development Allocation Planning and Technical Assistance application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for funding up to $35,000, under the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to hire a consultant to develop a Divide Community Economic Development Strategic Plan; committing $1,750 in budgeted general funds for in-kind staff support; authorizing the Chairman to sign the Statement of Assurances; and if awarded, authorizing the Director of Human Services, or successor, to execute the grant agreement and subsequent amendments thereto that do not affect the dollar amount or the term, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, and to sign other grant-related documents.
FUNDING: Federal CDBG Grant Funds.
Resolution 184-2009
Body
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: There is no cost associated with the application process beyond the staff time associated with preparation of the application. County match requirement for this application, as designated by the NOFA, is $1,750 which is 5% of the grant amount. It would be proposed to utilize the Department's currently budgeted County General Fund Housing Element Implementation dollars for staff time to meet the cash match.
Background:
On August 16, 2007, a community forum was held in Georgetown to discuss barriers to community and economic development in the Divide area. Community and County stakeholder groups subsequently formed to discuss concerns that were identified at the forum. An application for a CDBG Economic Development Allocation Planning and Technical Assistance grant was submitted during the 2008-09 NOFA cycle, but the CDBG allocation was already oversubscribed by the time El Dorado County's application was submitted, and no additional funding became available. That application proposed to hire a consultant to collect and evaluate demographics and economic data that would result in an economic strategic development plan for the Divide area.
On May 18, 2009, the Board adopted a 12-month interdepartmental economic development action plan with a goal of "creating prosperous and sustainable communities while maintaining our quality of life". The plan included an action to "explore and apply for community economic development grants from State and Federal governmental assistance sources" for developing needed economic development tools in support of the goal.
Reason for Recommendation:
On June 30, 2009, item #39, the Board gave conceptual approval for the submittal of a minimum of two applications under Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs) for the Fiscal Year 2009-10 Community Development Block Grant Planning and Technical Assistance (PTA) Allocations from the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to provide grants of up to $35,000 per activity under the General and Economic Development allocations. The Economic Development PTA NOFA was subsequently released and an application has been developed for a Divide Community Economic Development Strategic Plan. On July 22, 2009 jurisdictions were notified, per CDBG Management Memorandum 09-07, that the funding allocation is oversubscribed; however, due to the potential that a currently awarded jurisdiction may be determined ineligible to receive grant funds, thus making the funds available for an eligible applicant, it has been determined that it would be in the interest of the County to submit an application.
The proposed grant budget for a 30-month CDBG-funded Planning and Technical Assistance grant is outlined below. Activities funded under this allocation would be funded by the $35,000 grant and a proposed local leverage commitment made by Board Resolution in the amount of $1,750, which consists of in-kind staff services already budgeted under the DHS General Fund. There are no additional County costs anticipated during the grant period.
Proposed CDBG PTA Grant Budget
General Administrative Costs during Grant Term:
CDBG PTA Funding - General Administration $ 1,750
County of El Dorado - Local Leverage/In-Kind Staff Time 1,750
Total General Administrative Costs during Grant Term: $ 3,500
Client Services during Grant Term:
CDBG PTA Funding - Study $ 33,250
Total Study Expenditures during Grant Term: $ 33,250
Total Costs during Grant Term: $ 36,750
The County has an established system that complies with OMB Circular A-87 to track actual time worked in specific grants and allocates costs of wages and benefits to the appropriate funding source based on actual time worked. Other administrative costs to support the activities conducted under this grant, such as postage, office supplies and space costs are eligible grant expenditures and are included in the above proposed budget. Financial accomplishments and study activities conducted under the guidelines of this grant program are monitored by staff and reported to the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
At the conclusion of the grant term, study results would be presented to the Board of Supervisors in a publicly noticed meeting to inform the Board and the community of the results of the study and provide an opportunity for input.
Existing staff would be utilized to administer the activities under this grant. The level of environmental review required under the grant activities would be determined and completed as a part of the grant set up conditions as required by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and would be overseen by County staff.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
Board Clerk to provide Human Services at Spring Street with:
· One (1) Resolution signed by the Chairman and one (1) certified copy of the Resolution.
· Three (3) Statements of Assurances signed by the Chairman - Retain one (1) executed Statement of Assurances.
Contact: Daniel Nielson, 642-7275
Concurrences: N/A