title
CC- CONSENT ITEM: (1) Approval of the Community Block Grant Fund Allocation for Fiscal Year 2025/2026; and (2) Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Filing of the Application for Funding.
body
Meeting Date: November 11, 2024
Contact Person/Dept: Elizabeth Garcia/Office of Economic and Cultural Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-5708
Fiscal Impact: Yes [x] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [x]
Attachments: Yes [x] No []
Public Notification: Notice Posted at City Hall (10/26/2024) (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (11/07/2024);
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (10/30/2024)
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) approve allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for Fiscal Year 2025/2026; and (2) adopt a resolution authorizing a filing of the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 application for funding from the CDBG program.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The Community Development Block Grant program is a federal program through the United States Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provides financial assistance to communities to address a variety of community development needs such as public facilities, infrastructure, and housing among other things. The City receives an annual formulaic distribution each year to advance eligible projects. The City’s CDBG funding for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 is anticipated to be approximately $177,484.13, however the actual amount will be determined by Los Angeles County in March 2025 after remittance of the City’s CDBG application and can deviate from 2-3%.
In order to receive CDBG funds, participating cities must enter into a Cooperation Agreement with their County every three years to receive a percentage of the County’s allocation of the CDBG funds. The City entered into a three-year Cooperation Agreement with Los Angeles County in 2023.
The CDBG program allows for up to 15% of the total available CDBG funds to be allocated for funding salaries of eligible public service staff positions. The remaining funds must be used for eligible capital improvement projects. Due to the CBDG program requirements and Culver City’s demographics, eligible capital improvement projects are limited to projects serving the elderly and disabled, such a sidewalk and curb ramp repairs to meet compliance requirements of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). Funds therefore may be used for the City’s ADA Transition Plan and similar ADA-compliance projects, but not to construct playgrounds, recreational facilities or to fund after-school programs for youths from income-eligible families.
Staff recommends that the City Council allocate available CDBG funding for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 in the order prioritized below. The City’s Public Works Department and Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department support these recommendations.
Ongoing Social Service Project:
Priority No. 1: Recreation & Community Services Coordinator Salary ($26,622.62)
The Recreation & Community Services Coordinator position in the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department has been partially funded with CDBG funds for the past thirty-three years. This staff member assists residents with disabilities by identifying, implementing, conducting, and facilitating available community resources and services. Funding this staff position to the maximum amount allowed by CDBG rules is supported and recommended by the Culver City Disability Advisory Committee and the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department.
Staff recommends that if the actual CDBG funding amount is more or less than the amount anticipated, the maximum permissible amount (15% of the total annual CBDG funds) shall be allocated to this position. The remaining amount shall be allowed to the capital improvement projects.
Proposed Capital Improvement Projects:
Priority No. 2: ADA Sidewalk/ Curb Projects ($150,861.51)
The City is required to upgrade curb ramps to meet current ADA standards whenever the City overlays or resurfaces an adjacent roadway. This proposed project will upgrade curb ramps that are not compliant with current ADA standards in various locations throughout the City.
The total estimated project cost will be funded via CDBG funds and City General Funds as needed.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The annual CDBG allocation will provide partial funding for the Recreation & Community Services Coordinator position as well sidewalk/curb projects in various locations throughout the City. Additional funding may be necessary to complete the capital improvement projects and may be supplemented by the General Fund, as necessary. If approved, the CDBG funds will be included in the budget for Fiscal Year 2025/2026
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2024-11-11 - ATT 1_Proposed Resolution authorizing the City’s Fiscal Year 2025/2026 CDBG application.
2. 2024-11-11 - ATT 2_2023 Cooperation Agreement
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Approve funding for the proposed Fiscal Year 2025/2026 CDBG projects;
2. Adopt a resolution authorizing the filing of the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 application for funding from the CDBG Program, including all certifications;
3. Designate the City Manager as the authorizing City official to execute and file all documents pertaining to the CDBG program, including making minor adjustments to project funding to address the actual Fiscal Year 2025/2026 CDBG allocation;
4. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare any necessary documents; and
5. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.