Legislation Details

File #: HIST-1171    Version: 1 Subject:
Type: Historical Status: Action Item
In control: City Council Meeting Agenda
On agenda: 10/10/2005 Final action: 10/10/2005
Title: Allocation and appropriation of unallocated Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to extend the Washington Streetlight Improvement Project.
Attachments: 1. Admin-Unallocated CDBG Fund Balance A-10.doc, 2. A-10 CDBG.pdf
City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council (the “Council”) direct staff to allocate and appropriate unallocated Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, totaling $26,105.78, to extend the Washington Streetlight Improvement Project west from Redwood to Glencoe Avenue (two additional street blocks) for CDBG program year 2005/2006. This is a budget amendment item that requires a 4/5ths vote for approval. BACKGROUND: CDBG funds available for City projects for program year 2005/2006 totaled $370,805. Of the total available funds, $18,858 was carried over from program year 2003/2004. On January 28, 2005, the City submitted five (5) City Council approved CDBG projects to Los Angeles Community Development Commission (LACDC) for its consideration for 2005-2006 CDBG funding, as described in Attachment 1. On August 22, 2005, the City received official notification from LACDC that the Fire Department’s “Medical Supply Trailer / Supplies and Thermal Imager” project was ineligible for funding. LACDC determined the project service area, Fire District No. 1 and District No. 2, did not qualify under Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) National Objective of Low/Moderate Income Area Benefit (LMA). To qualify under the LMA guideline, fifty-one percent (51%) of the residents served by the project must meet the minimum of low/moderate incomes of the HUD median income for Culver City’s Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). In submitting the “Medical Supply Trailer / Supplies and Thermal Imager” project Meeting Date: 10/10/05 Item Number: A-10 AGENDA ITEM: Allocate and Appropriate Unallocated CDBG Funds, totaling $26,105.78, to Extend the Washington Streetlight Improvement Project west from Redwood to Glencoe Avenue for Program Year 2005/2006. Contact Person/Dept.: Akil Manley/Admin. Phone Number: 310-253-6015 Fiscal Impact: Yes [x] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [x] Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [x] Attachments: [x] Public Notification: 2005/2006 CDBG Advisory Committee; Master Notification List 10/5/05 Department Approval: Jerry Fulwood 10/3/05 CAO Approval: Scott Bixby for Jerry Fulwood 10/4/05 City Controller Approval: Mary Noller for Marlee Chang 10/4/05City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report proposal, the City received indication from LACDC that the project would qualify under the LMA guideline. From late July 2005, City staff worked with LACDC to explore alternatives to qualify the project, but none were available. Because of the project’s ineligibility, funds were not allocated, leaving the City with an unallocated CDBG balance of $20,703. On September 29, 2005, the City received notification from LACDC that an additional $5,402.78 have been carried over from program year 2004/2005, increasing the City’s unallocated balance of $26,105.78. DISCUSSION: Below are options the City can employ to allocate the remaining CDBG balance for program year 2005/2006. Option 1. Carry Over the Remaining Balance to CDBG Program Year 06/07 With this option, like previous years, unallocated funds will be added to the City’s next year funding allocation, increasing the total available for CDBG projects by $26,105.78. The 2006/2007 Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee (CDBGAC) would take into account the additional money into consideration for planning. Option 2. Request New Projects for the Current CDBG Program Year This option would require reconvening the CDBGAC, public hearing process, Council approval, and incurring additional costs, such as staff time. After Council approval, the newly proposed project would be submitted to LACDC for consideration and allocation of the funds, this entire process could range from 2 to 3 months to complete. In considering this option, it is important to note that any new CDBG project approved would have to be completed by June 2006. Option 3. Request an Amendment to the Contract to Allocate the Unallocated Fund Balance to Expand the Washington Streetlight Improvement Project for Current Program Year The Washington Streetlight Improvement Project is the only 2005/2006 CDBG approved project that would qualify under this option. To move forward with this option, staff would have to file a request with LACDC to amend the current contract to extend the project’s performance goals. Due to the loss of CDBG funds over the past five years, it is important for the City to reflect a need for federal entitlement funds. With 2006/2007 CDBG program cuts expected to be up to eight percent (8%), it is important for the City to expend CDBG funds within the current program year. Of the three options, staff recommends Council to direct staff to request an amendment to the contract to allocate the unallocated balance to the Washington Streetlight Improvement Project for program year 2005/2006.City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report Washington Streetlight Improvement Project The current Washington Streetlight project consists of upgrading the luminaries of the streetlights and associated circuitry on the northside of the street from Lyceum Avenue to Redwood Avenue. The existing streetlights are on a series, high voltage circuitry, and will be replaced with a new parallel, low voltage circuitry, which makes the streetlights more reliable and efficient that the old lights. With the allocation of the remaining balance, the project limits would be extended west from Redwood to Glencoe Avenue (two additional street blocks west) to eliminate the gap of high voltage system. The 2005/2006 CDBG Advisory Committee members have been notified of the unallocated funds and of the staff report’s recommendation. FISCAL ANALYSIS: The unallocated CDBG funds, totaling $26,105.78, would be allocated to cover the additional $18,260 needed to complete the proposed project, and approximately $7,845.78 of the remaining fund balance will be used to replace Gas Tax Funds, which will be saved and reallocated to other CIP projects. With this option, the City meets the goal of using the most restricted funds for eligible projects before using other funding. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Memo from Akil Manley, Management Analyst / CDBG Administrator, Regarding 2005-2006 CDBG Allocation. 2. LACDC’s Letter, Regarding the Ineligibility of Fire Rescue Equipment Project for Program Year 2005-2006. 3. LACDC’s CDBG Bulletin 05-0039, Regarding Current Participating Cities Unallocated Balances following Fiscal Year (FY) 2004-2005. MOTION: That the City Council: 1. Approve a budget amendment to transfer grant revenue in the amount of $26,105.78 and approve the recommendation to appropriate the grant funds of $26,105.78 in Fiscal Year 2005/2006 to the Washington Streetlight Improvement Project - CIP Project No. 00856. MEETING DATE October 10, 2005 AGENDA ITEM Allocate and Appropriate Unallocated CDBG Funds totaling $26,105 78 to Extend the Washington Streetlight Improvement Project west from Redwood to Glencoe Avenue for Program Year 2005/2006 ATTACHMENTS 1 Memo from Akil Manley, Management Analyst / CDBG Administrator, Regarding from 2005-2006 CDBG Allocation 2 LACDC s Letter, Regarding the Ineligibility of Fire Rescue Equipment Project for Program Year 2005-2006 3 LACDC s CDBG Bulletin 05-0039, Regarding Current Participating Cities Unallocated Balances following Fiscal Year (FY) 2004-2005 • Pages 1-2|1010|4-5 •Attachment 1 • (dwatilieh CITY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM DATE 09/26/2005 TO Honorable Mayor Vera and Members of the City Council THROUGH Jerry Fulwood, CAO FROM Akil Manley Management Analyst 041'.-"-- SUBJECT Allocation of CDBG Funds for Program Year 2005-2006 CC Executive Management Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds available for City projects or program year el II. o a e ii I . ... . • —Is $18,858 were unexpended funds carried over from the previous fiscal year On January 28, 2005, the City submitted five (5) City Council approved CDBG projects to Los Angeles Community Development Commission (LACDC) for its consideration as described below AMOUNT CDBG PROJECT REQUESTS FOR FY 2005 2006 PRIORITY 1 Senior Center 108 Loan Repayment Department Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Purpose To repay $2 02 million loan that was utilized to assist in the construction of the City s Senior Center PRIORITY 2 CDBG General Administration Department Office of the Chief Administrative Officer Purpose To assist with the associated cost of administering and managing the City s annual CDBG funding allocation PRIORITY 3 Disability Services Specialist Department Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Purpose To fund a portion of the position which assists in the identification of available community services and implement conduct and facilitate services and programs for residents with disabilities PRIORITY 4 Medical Supply Trailer! Supplies and Thermal Imager Department Fire Purpose To provide necessary equipment and supplies to handle multi-casualty incidents man made disasters (i e bioterronsm etc ) and natural disasters and to utilize heat-seeking technology to locate trapped victims and firefighters PRIORITY 5 Washington Boulevard Streetlight Replacement Department Public Works Purpose To upgrade the luminaries of eleven (11) streetlights and associated circuitry on the north side of the street between Redwood and Lyceum Avenues $212 136 $35 197 $52 797 $20 703 $49 972 TOTAL $370,805 9770 CULVER BOULEVARD CULVER CITY CA 90232 0507 1• On August 22, 2005 the City received official notification from LACDC that the Fire Department s Medical Supply Trailer / Supplies and Thermal Imager" project was ineligible for CDBG funding LACDC determined the project service area, Fire District No 1 and District No 2 did not qualify under Housing and Urban Development s (HUD) National Objective of Low/Moderate Income Area Benefit (LMA) To qualify under the LMA guideline, fifty-one percent (51%) of the residents served by the project must meet the minimum of low/moderate incomes of the HUD median income for Culver City s Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) LACDC explored alternatives to qualify the project, but none were available Because of the project s ineligibility, funds were not allocated, leaving the City with a remaining CDBG fund balance of $20 703 Staff has researched available options of allocating remaining funds and will present a report to City Council with findings and recommendations at the October 10 th City Council meeting If you have any additionantuesfions or concerns, I can be reached at (311J) 2b3- 6015 •Attachment 2 COM _ of the County of Los Angeles 2 Coral Circle Monterey Park CA 91755 323 890 7001 TTY 323 838 7449 www lacdc org Gloria Molina Yvonne Brathwaite Burke Zev Yaroslavsky Don Knabe Michael D Antonovich Commissioners • Carlos Jackson Executive Director August 17, 2005 Shelly Chagnon, Intergovernmental Relations Officer City of Culver City 9770 Culver Blvd Culver City, CA 90232-0507 Dear Ms Chagnon INELIGIBILITY OF FIRE RESCUE EQUIPMENT PROJECT FOR PROGRAM YEAR 2005-2006 This letter is in response to your request for a written explanation regarding the ineligibility of Culver City's proposed Fire Rescue Trailer and Thermal Imager Project that was submitted for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding in Fiscal Year 2005-2006 The City's Planning Summary identified this project to qualify under the National Objective of Low- and Moderate-Income Area Benefit (LMA), 24 CFR 570 208(a)(1)(i), which requires a service area of at least fifty-one percent (51%) low- and moderate-income persons The Planning Summary selected a few census tracts from one (1) of the fire station service area to meet the fifty-one percent (51%) low- and moderate-income requirement However, all of the census tracts within the intended service area must be identified and contain at least fifty-one percent (51%) low- and moderate-income persons Since the fire rescue equipment was to be used in both Fire District No 1, which contains only 26 2 percent low- and moderate-income persons and Fire District No 2, 29 9 percent low- and moderate-income persons, both are well under the required fifty-one percent (51%) requirement Based on this information, the project was found to be ineligible under LMA We further explored other options to qualify this project, unfortunately, there were no alternatives available We appreciate your concern in obtaining a clear explanation as to why this project was not funded, and we hope that we have responded to your inquiry If you have any questions, please contact your Program Manager, Josie Sithentes, at (323) 890-7184 ANG ICA CONTRERAS, Manager Community Development Block Grant Division AC JS mp CDBGCommon/TeamC/Cu1verCityfireEquipmentProjectfor05 06 Strengthening Neighborhoods Supporting Local Economies Empowering Families Promoting Individual Achievement• DATE SEPTEMBER 28, 2005 EFFECTIVE DATE IMMEDIATELY PAGE OF|109| 1 NEW CENTURY Strengthening Neighborhoods Supporting Local Economies Empowering Families Promoting Individual Achievement • Attachment 3 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CMG BULLETIN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION • 2 Coral Circle • Monterey Park, California 91755 NUMBER 05-0039 SUBJECT CURRENT PARTICIPATING CITIES UNALLOCATED BALANCES FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2004-05 CLOSEOUT • TO PARTICIPATING CITIES Attached are the current unallocated balances as of September 21, 2005, following the closing of FY 2004 05 projects The amounts in the attached table are available for programming into current or new projects As you know, unallocated funding pool balances are a component in the calculation of unexpended balances to determine if a city is meeting its drawdown requirement The first drawdown report will be issued next month If you wish to exchange any of these funds, please review CDBG Bulletin No 05-0021, Policies on Exchanges of Funds If you have any questions, contact your program manager or Raymond White, Budget Analyst, at Raymond whitealacdc org Sincerely ( /737 ERRY GONZALEZ, Director Community Development Block Grant Division TG RW ab K \ CDBG Common \ GPA \ I A F Bulletins \ Final Balances doc Attachment• a CURRENT PARTICIPATING CITY UNALLOCATED BALANCES As of September 21, 2005 Agoura Hills $135 329 30 Arcadia $56 182 90 Artesia $88 970 20 Avalon $11 832 00 Azusa $30 630 02 Bell $193 407 74 Bell Gardens $78 865 13 Beverly Hills $333 103 00 Bradbury $000 Calabasas $90 050 00 Ciaremont $157 026 36 Commerce $26 446 55 Covina $162 700 50 Cudahy $604 901 48 Culver City $26 105 78 Diamond Bar $172 793 09 Duarte $117 116 20 El Segundo $167 042 50 Hawaiian Gardens $63 277 92 Hermosa Beach $52600 Irwindale $20,157 00 La Canada Fhntridge $203 899 28 La Habra Heights $000 La Mirada $110 922 99 La Puente $694 124 57 La Verne $21 101 00 Lawndale $51 050 14 Lomita $88 777 00 Malibu $155 925 00 Manhattan Beach $000 Maywood $206 393 54 Monrovia $34 982 82 Rancho Palos Verdes $81 419 43 Rolling Hills $7 644 00 Rolling Hills Estates $000 San Dimas $158 607 08 San Fernando $1 132 661 81 San Gabriel $64 734 28 San Marino $49 802 00 Santa Fe Springs $000 Sierra Madre $3 709 00 Signal Hill $299 33 South El Monte $76 357 18 South Pasadena $57 052 13 Temple City $416 897 98 Walnut $156 835 42 West Hollywood $149 112 14 Westlake Village $8 428 00|1013|