HomeMy WebLinkAbout101-Staff report.pdfSARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: March 17, 2010 AGENDA ITEM:
DEPARTMENT: Community Development CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson
PREPARED BY: Cynthia McCormick, AICP DIRECTOR: John Livingstone, AICP
SUBJECT: FY 2010/11 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)
AND COMMUNITY GRANT FUNDING APPLICATIONS
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Conduct the Public Hearing and make a decision regarding allocations.
DISCUSSION:
On March 3, 2010 the Council heard testimony from public supporters and agency representatives
seeking Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Community Grant funds. Per Council’s
direction, staff contacted past recipients of community grant funding to determine their interest in
applying for funds again this year. Staff received two additional applications which have been
summarized below. A copy of all of the applications is provided in Attachment D. Additional
information (e.g., audit, financial statements) is available upon request.
The total amount of funding requested this year for community programs and services is $83,212. The
City expects to receive approximately $26,500 for CDBG public service projects. Council policy is to
match CDBG public service funds 1
for Community Grants. Thus, the total amount available for
community programs and services is approximately $53,000 and the total funding shortfall is $30,212.
Three applications are eligible for CDBG Public Service funding: Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating
Council (SASCC) requested $37,000; West Valley Community Services (WVCS) requested $20,000;
and Catholic Charities requested $5,000. The four applications that are not CDBG eligible include
requests for $4,500 from the Foothill Club, $4,000 from KSAR, $4,212 from the Wildlife Center of
Silicon Valley, $3,500 from the Shady Shakespeare Theater Company, and $5,000 from the Mustard
Faire.
The remaining requests for CDBG funding includes $79,900 from the Public Works Department for
Phase IV of the Accessible Signal Program, $15,000 for City administration of the CDBG program, and
$13,000 for County administration of the SHARP program.
1 NOTE: The final CDBG funding amount has not been confirmed but is expected to be announced prior to the beginning of
FY 10/11 (July 1, 2010). The public service fund cap is formula based and subject to change.
KSAR – Saratoga High School Media Arts Mentoring Program
KSAR15, Saratoga Community Access Cable TV Foundation submitted a proposal for continued
support of the Saratoga High School Media Arts Mentoring Program. The program helps students start a
TV broadcasting career through classes in TV production skills, internship opportunities, and resume
and interview techniques. The program will support 22 Saratoga students which is equal to 100% of the
students in the program. The requested funding is $4,000 which is approximately 40% of the cost to run
the program. In-kind donations include volunteer participation by KSAR board members and the time
and costs associated with planning, review and coordination by Saratoga High School teachers. This
project is being considered under the Community Grant program. It is not eligible for CDBG funding
since it does not primarily serve low-income participants.
Saratoga Foothill Club Historic Landmark Foundation
The Saratoga Foothill Club submitted a proposal for audio-visual equipment for use in their public
lecture programs. Between September 2009 and June 2010, the group will have had seven (7) public
lectures attended by approximately 78 Saratoga residents which represent 95% of the average 75-90
people who attend each lecture. The group also holds four (4) special art lectures attended by
approximately 80 Saratoga residents which represent 80% of the average 100 people who attend each
lecture. The requested funding is $4,500 which is 100% of the total cost of the digital projector, cart,
and remote control. This project is being considered under the Community Grant program. It is not
eligible for CDBG funding since it does not primarily serve low-income participants. The program
receives in-kind donations and volunteer work.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The CDBG funds for FY 2010/11 are federal Housing and Urban Development funds administered by
Santa Clara County and allocated to participating cities. Under the Community Grants program, Council
policy is to match CDBG public service funds, which is estimated to be $26,500 this year.
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The City’s FY 2010/11 CDBG allocation will remain with the County.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
NA
FOLLOW UP ACTION:
Forward Council’s CDBG recommendations to the County of Santa Clara and execute contracts with
agencies receiving funding.
ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT:
The availability of grant funds was publicized on the City Website and in the Saratoga News
in January 2010. Notice of the Public Hearing was properly posted and published in the Saratoga News
on February 16, 2010.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A – Resolutions
Attachment B – Allocation Worksheet
Attachment C – March 3, 2010 Staff Report
Attachment D - Applications