HomeMy WebLinkAbout101-Staff report.pdf SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: December 21, 2011 AGENDA ITEM:
DEPARTMENT: Community Development CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson
PREPARED BY: Cynthia McCormick, AICP DIRECTOR: James Lindsay
SUBJECT: CDBG Program Update
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Review and accept Staff’s application for CDBG ADA Improvement funds.
REPORT SUMMARY:
CDBG Program Changes: Over the past two years, staff has advised the City Council that administration of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program would be changing. These changes have taken effect for fiscal year 2012 and beyond. The County of Santa
Clara has consolidated the Urban County1
CDBG grant process into a single online application
funding and administration process. In the past, the City of Saratoga held public hearings to
recommend which projects should get funded. However, under the new process, both Cities and public services providers must now apply directly to the County for funds.
Funding Priorities: The County Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee
(HCDAC)2
has given preference to projects that provide affordable housing for households
whose income is 30% or less of the County median, groups with special housing needs, and the homeless. This year, the County has gone a step further in conveying this priority by explicitly listing types of ineligible programs including food services, child care, and adult care.
Furthermore, the County is getting more specific on the types of Capital Activities that would be
eligible for CDBG funding. Projects must be eligible under the Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) CDBG program, and may include infrastructure and neighborhood facilities in low- income census tracts, sidewalk improvements in primarily low income census
tracts, street lighting, curb cuts, and ADA improvement projects.
1 The Cities of Saratoga, Campbell, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Morgan Hill, and the Unincorporated Area of Santa Clara
County have entered into a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA) in order to be eligible for CDBG funds. 2 HCDAC consists of one member of the County Board of Supervisors, one City Council member from each
participating jurisdiction, and one citizen representing each participating jurisdiction and each Supervisorial District.
Eligible Project: Staff in the Community Development Department, Finance Department, Public
Works Department, and Facilities Department held meetings to determine the most eligible
capital improvement project given these strict guidelines. On December 5, 2011, the Facilities
Department applied for $74,000 in CDBG capital funds for ADA improvements at City Hall, Civic Center, Senior Center, Library, and Prospect Community Center. These improvements
include installing ADA compliant automatic doors, and ADA compliant ramps and handrails for
accessible paths of travel.
Next Steps: The County will review the application in the spring and then forward their recommendations to HUD for final approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If approved by HUD, the City would receive $74,000 in CDBG funds under the Public Benefit Capital Activities Category, administered by Santa Clara County for FY 2012/13.
ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT:
Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, this item was properly posted as a City Council agenda
item and was included in the packet made available on the City’s website in advance of the meeting. A copy of the agenda packet is also made available at the Saratoga Branch Library each
Monday in advance of the Council meeting.
ATTACHMENT:
1. CDBG Application