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CR 97-196 Capacity Building Grant Program\ t Y O G F October 27, 1997 r K ` ~ Council Rpt #97-196 CAPACITY BUII.DING GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION Proposed Action Staff recommends approval of the following motion : Authorize staffto submit application to the Minnesota Housing_Finance Aggncv for the Ca„~acity Building Grant Program. With this motion, the Capacity Building Grant Program application will be prepared and submitted to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for their review. Overview The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency has issued a request for proposals for the Capacity Building Grant program. The program makes auaitable $50,000 in the Twin City Area for eligible applicants to retain consultants to assist cities develop or revise the housing element of their comprehensive plan. The intent is to assure that the comprehensive plan is consistent with the Metropolitan Council's Regional Blueprint and Regional Growth Strategy and meets the requirements of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act. As an eligible applicant, the City is eligible to receive up to $2,500 to be paid directly to the consultant hired to update the existing comprehensive plan. The City must commit to prepaze a plan that is consistent with the above mentioned plans and provides for public involvement. Primary Issues to Consider o What is the impact of this action? The City has received estimates of approximately $20,000 to prepaze the comprehensive plan. The funds through the Capacity Building Grant program would be combined with the $7,670 in grant funds already committed by the Metropolitan Council's Local Planning Assistance program to reduce the cost to the City. It is staffs belief that the Ciry can fully commit to the requirements of this funding source while independently preparing the best plan for the City. SunportinE Documents zilding Grant Program Minnesota Housing Finance Agency CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT PROGRAM SEPTEMBER 1997 1. Eligible applicants are cities located in Anoka, Carver, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Washington, and Dakota counties who participate in the Livable Communities Act Local Housing Incentives Account Program. Please note: Unsewered areas are ineligible. 2. Applications for grants from the Capacity Building Grant Program will be evaluated based upon the information contained in this application form. Applicants should answer the questions clearly and concisely and limit answers to the space provided for each question. Incomplete forms will not be accepted and will be returned to the applicant. Computer generated forms in identical format to this application form are acceptable. 3. All attachments to the application form must be clearly labeled. 4. The original and one copy of the completed application should be sent to the following address: Minnesota Housing Finance Agency 400 Sibley Street, Suite 300 St. Paui, MN 55101 Attn: Wendy Rejsa 5. Applications must be received at the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency by 4 p.m. on Friday, November 21, 1997. Questions concerning the Capacity Building Grant Program or the application process should be directed to Wendy Rejsa (612) 296-9839 or Chris Engel (612) 296-9805. NOTE: For the purpose of this application, "Project" refers to the proposed use(s) of grant funds. State Grants HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant Program The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) has extended the timeline for application to the Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant Program until 4:00 p.m., Friday, November 21, 1997. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA: Eligible applicants are cities located in Anoka, Carver, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Washington, Dakota counties who participate in the Livable Communities Act Local Housing Incentives Account Program. Please note: Unsewered areas are ineligible. ELIGIBLE USES OF GRANT FUNDS FOR APPLICANTS IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA: Up to $50,000 will be available in the Twin City Area for eligible applicants to retain consultants who will assist cities develop or revise the housing element of their local comprehensive plans so the plans are consistent with the Metropolitan Council's Regional Blueprint and Regional Growth Strategy and meet the housing planning requirements of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act. Eligible cities and the consultants they propose to work with will apply directly to MHFA. Grant funds will be paid directly to consultants by MHFA. his anticipated that up to 20 cities will be assisted. Maximum amounts of grant funds vary depending on the type of application received, and are: a single community applying: $ 2,500 an entity applying on behalf of two communities: $ 5,000 an entity applying on behalf of three or more communities: $ 6,000 SELECTION CRITERIA The selection criteria, in general, is as follows: • The city or cities must be a participant in LCA Local Housing Incentives Account Program. • Unsewered areas are ineligible. • The community's commitment to prepare a housing plan that is consistent with the Regional Blueprint and Growth Strategy, and the requirements of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act. • The degree to which the community's affordable and life-cycle housing goals are consistent with the Metropolitan Council's planning sector benchmarks for such housing. • The level to which the plan encourages citizen input and involvement. APPLICATION PROCESS: Applicants should request an application for the Capacity Building Grant from: Minnesota Housing Finance Agency 400 Sibley Street, Suite 300 St. Paul, MN 55101 Phone: (612) 297-3294 Applications must be received at the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency by 4 p.m. on Friday, November 21, 1997. Any questions regarding the Capacity Building Grant Program or the application process should be directed to Wendy Rejsa at (612) 296-9839. The Request for Proposals (RFP) is subject to all applicable federal, state, and municipal laws, rules, and regulations and appropriations by the 1997 session of the Minnesota Legislature. MHFA reserves the right to modify or withdraw this RFP at any time and will not reimburse the applicant for costs incurred in the preparation or submittal of applications. h is the policy of the MHFA to further fair housing opportunity in all Agency programs and to administer its housing programs affirmatively, so that all Minnesotans of similar income levels have equal access to Agency programs regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to receipt of public assistance, disability, or familial status. Welfare Hiring by Contractors. During the biennium ending June 30, 1999, for any executive agency contract that is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 363.073, the commissioner shall ensure to the extent practical and to the extent consistent with the business needs of the state, before the agency enters into contract, that the company to receive the contract attempts to recruit Minnesota welfare recipients to fill vacancies in entry level positions, if the company has entry level employees in Minnesota. In accordance with Minnesota Rules ,Part 1230.1910, certified Targeted Group Businesses and individuals submitting proposals as prime contractors shall receive the equivalent of a 6% preference in the evaluation of their proposal, and certified Economically Disadvantaged Businesses and individuals submitting proposals as prime contractors shall receive the equivalent of 4% preference in the evaluation of their proposal. For information regarding certification, contact the Materials Management Helpline (612) 296-2600 TTD (612) 282-5799.