HomeMy WebLinkAbout101-CDBG Staff Report.pdfPage 1 of 3
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: March 4, 2009 AGENDA ITEM:
DEPARTMENT: Community Development CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson
PREPARED BY: Cynthia McCormick, Assistant Planner DIRECTOR: John Livingstone
SUBJECT: FY 2009/10 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT AND
COMMUNITY GRANT FUNDING ALLOCATIONS
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Conduct the Public Hearing and make a decision regarding allocations.
BACKGROUND:
On June 18, 2008, the Council decided to institute a priority ranking process for the allocation of
grants. On December 17, 2008, the Council approved the attached evaluation criteria.
On February 18, 2009 the Council heard testimony from seven (7) applicants requesting funds
under the City of Saratoga Community Grant Program and the Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) Program. The total amount of funding requested for all Community Grant
applications was $126,231. However, three of the requests totaling $55,164 may be partially
funded with CDBG Public Service funds while one of the requests totaling $50,450 may be
partially funded with CDBG rehabilitation funds, as discussed in the February 18, 2009 staff
report. The three applications that are not eligible for CDBG funding totaled $20,617. The City
also received two (2) applications for CDBG ADA Public Improvement funding, totaling
$46,391. Each year an additional $13,000 is requested to fund Santa Clara County’s
administration of the SHARP program and $15,000 to fund City of Saratoga’s administration of
the CDBG Program.
The total amount requested is $200,622. The total amount available is estimated to be $183,1351,
including approximately $54,068 in community grant funding; $27,057 in CDBG public service
funding; $74,010 in CDBG rehabilitation and ADA public improvement funding; $13,000 in
SHARP administration funds; and $15,000 in CDBG administration funds. The total shortfall is
estimated to be $17,487.
1 NOTE: The final CDBG funding amount has not been confirmed but is expected to be announced prior to
the beginning of FY 09/10 (July 1, 2009). On February 26, 2009 staff was informed that the distribution of
CDBG funds may be different than originally estimated. While the expected total amount has not
decreased, the amount that can be spent on public services is expected to be less ($27,057 vs. $32,000),
and the amount that can be spent on ADA Public Improvements and Rehabilitation is expected to be more
($74,010 vs. $69,000). The public service fund cap is formula based and subject to change.
Page 2 of 3
DISCUSSION:
Applications will be evaluated in five categories:
1. Presentation (30 points): Applications and presentations from the February 18th Public
Hearing will be evaluated on content (10 points), clarity (5 points), and brevity (5 points).
2. Target Benefit (20 points): This category rewards programs that serve a large number of
Saratoga residents as a whole (10 points) and as a percentage of their entire clientele (10
points). CDBG applications will be also evaluated on the number of low-income beneficiaries
in their program (see attached evaluation criteria for breakdown).
3. Cost/Benefit (20 points): To be more successful in this category, requested funds should be
proportional to the target beneficiaries served (i.e., Saratoga residents).
4. Leveraging (20 points): Applicants should show that they are currently seeking matching
funding (10 points). Applicants will receive additional points for demonstrated fundraising
success (10 points).
5. Outreach (10 points): Applicants will be evaluated on both their current (5 points) and
proposed (5 points) outreach efforts to attract new Saratoga residents.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
CDBG funds are federal Housing and Urban Development funds administered by Santa Clara
County and allocated to participating cities fiscal year 2009/10. There is no impact from CDBG
recommendations on General City funds. Community Grant funds have been budgeted for fiscal
year 2009/2010.
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The City’s FY 2009/10 CDBG allocation will remain with the County. Saratoga will not meet its
goals related to providing continued housing assistance, rehabilitation and human services to low
income and disabled residents in the City. Furthermore, the City will not meet its goals related to
community needs in Saratoga.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
NA
FOLLOW UP ACTION:
Forward Council’s CDBG recommendations to the County of Santa Clara and execute contracts
with agencies receiving funding.
Page 3 of 3
ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT:
The availability of grant funds was listed on the City Website and publicized in the Saratoga News
on December 9, 2009. The allocation of grant funds was publicized in the Saratoga News on
February 17, 2009
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A - Resolutions
Attachment B – Evaluation Worksheets
Attachment C – February 18, 2009 Staff Report
Attachment D - December 17, 2008 Staff Report and attachment
Cc: Applicant agencies