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CR 91-67 Urban Henepiin Cty Community Development Grant . March 11, 1991 Council Report 91-67 PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE 1991 URBAN HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM Proposed Action Staff recommends approval of the following motion: Adopt resolution number 91-132 approving the proposed program for Year XVII Urban Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant Funds and authorizing its submittal. with approval of this action the application will be submitted to Hennepin County for their review and approval. Overview As a participating City in the Urban Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant Program, Hopkins is eligible for $100,957.00 in CDBG funds for Program Year XVII. Staff is recommending that the activities the city propose to undertake with Program Year XVII CDBG funds include . Housing Rehabilitation and assistance to the Greater Minnesota Day Care Association. As a requirement of the CDBG funding process, the City must hold a public hearing on the proposed use of funds. Primary Issues to Consider o What is the intended use of these funds? o What activities has the City previously financed with these funds? o Should the City of Hopkins submit a request for CDBG funding to Hennepin County? o What activities are being recommended to be funded? o What other activities can be undertaken with these funds? Supporting Information o Resolution Number 91-132 o Request for Funding/Year XVII Urban Hennepin county CDBG Program 0.' Memo regarding HOME program . ;.// /' Kersten Elverum, Housing Coordinator . Public Hearing - CDBG Program Rpt. 91-67 Page 2 Primary Issues to Consider o What is the intended use of these funds? The Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) was established by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 as amended to provide decent housing, a suitable living environment and expanded economic opportunities primarily for persons with low to moderate incomes. The funds are primarily intended to be used for "bricks and mortar" items, and not intended to be used to support social service activities. The overall objectives of the program are: o to develop and maintain viable urban communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment and expanded economic opportunities, principally for low and moderate income persons; o to aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight; o to meet other community development needs having a . particular urgency. o What activities has the City previously financed with these funds? The three activities that the city has financed with Urban Hennepin County CDBG funds are: Housing Rehabilitation, Community Center Improvements and the Greater Minnesota Day Care Association. o Should the City of Hopkins submit a request for CDBG funding to Hennepin County? The city of Hopkins has agreed to a three year commitment for participating in the Urban Hennepin County CDBG Program (rather than applying for the funds directly to HUD). The CDBG funds fill a gap in available financing for many worthwhile activities. o What activities are being recommended to be funded? Attached in the statement of Objectives is a description of the activities eligible for financing with CDBG funds. staff has looked at each eligible activity in terms of it's . positive impact on the city and recommends the following budget: Greater Minnesota Day Care Assoc. - $15,000 Housing Rehabilitation - $85,957 .----.--...----- - --. - --------..- . ~ Public Hearing - CDBG Program Rpt.91-67 Page 3 The need for a continued housing rehabilitation program has been identified in the comprehensive plan and the recently completed housing analysis due to the age of the city's housing stock and the percentage of low to moderate income households. Currently, there are three households on the waiting list for the rehabilitation grant/loan program with several more applications expected in the near future. Seven rehabilitation projects are currently in various stages of the process. Although financing for the residential rehabilitation Program is available through the revolving loan fund, if alternative funds are not used to supplement the program, the revolving loan fund would soon be depleted. As part of the 1990 budgeting process, the city Council agreed to provide $15,000 in funds for the Greater Minnesota Day Care Association program. This program provides day care assistance to income eligible households. o What other activities can be undertaken with these funds? . Administration: Currently, the salaries for the staff that administer the housing rehabilitation program are paid out of the housing rehabilitation revolving loan fund and not with general fund or CDBG monies. This is done due to the amount of recordkeeping necessary when using CDBG funds for administration. Because both funds (revolving loan account and CDBG funds) are used for the same purpose, housing rehab, there is no benefit in using CDBG funds for administration. Housing: Staff has discussed with Hennepin County the possibility of using CDBG funds for financing the rehabilitation of rental property. Although it would be an eligible activity, the relatively small amount of funds available would severly limit the number of projects that could be assisted. Therefore the impact of this activity would be minimal and the amount of funds available would not be sufficient to satisfy the demand. Alternative rental rehab financing is continued to be sought. Staff has also discussed the possibility of designating the funds be used for assistance to low income first time home buyers. However, funding for a program such as this is 4Ia currently being developed in conjunction with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. e Public Hearing - CDBG Program Rpt.91-67 Page 4 Neighborhood Revitalization: The amount of funds available do not allow the City to conduct a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization program. Public Facilities: CDBG funds used for this activity must primarily benenfit low to moderate income persons. No eligible projects have been identified. Economic Development: Staff feels that there are sufficient funds available at this time for economic development considering the eligibility guidelines and reporting requirements for this activity. Public Services: The proposed Minneapolis Day Care Association assistance is a public service activity. Because the City is limited to 15-20% of its allocation for public service activities, . there is very little remaining money which is eligible for this activity. staff did look into the possibility of funding the HOME program, administered by Senior Services. However, it is felt that the very limited funds would be better utilized in a more comprehensive housing rehabilitation program such as the one currently administered by the City. Architectural Barriers: The removal of architectural barriers for the handicapped is an eligible expense under the City's housing rehabilitation program. There have been no public buildings in the City of Hopkins which have been identified to require handicap accessibility improvements. Alternatives The council has the following alternatives regarding this issue: o Approve the Year XVII CDBG Program proposed by staff. o Consider the funding of other activities which meet the requirements for CDBG funding. . o continue for further information. The Council should be aware that requests for funding are due to Hennepin County by April 18, 1991. . RESOLUTION NO. 91-132 RESOLUTION APPROVING PROPOSED PROGRAM FOR YEAR XVII URBAN HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS AND AUTHORIZING ITS SUBMITTAL WHEREAS, the city of Hopkins, through execution of a Joint Cooperation Agreement with Hennepin County, is a cooperating unit in the Urban Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant Program; and WHEREAS, the city of Hopkins has developed a proposal for the use of Urban Hennepin County CDBG funds made available to it, following a public hearing on March 19, 1991 to obtain the views of citizens on local and Urban Hennepin County housing and community development needs and the City's following proposed use of $100,957.00 from the Year XVII Urban Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant: proiects Budqet Minneapolis Day Care Association $15,000.00 . Subsidy Housing Rehabilitation $85,957.00 Total $100/957.00 BE IT RESOLVED that the city Council of the City of Hopkins approves the proposed use of Year XVII Urban Hennepin County community Development Block Grant funds and program related income and authorizes submittal of the proposal to Hennepin County for review and inclusion in the Year XVII Urban Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant Program Statement of Objectives and Projected Use of Funds. Adopted this 19th day of March, 1991. By: Mayor Attest: . City Clerk . REQUEST FOR FUNDINGfYEAR xvn URBAN HENNEPIN COUNTY CDBG PROGRAM: ----------------------------------------------------.------------------------- THIS SECTION YILL BE COMPLETED BY HENNEPIN COUNTY National Objectives: Project Eligibility: I Citation Hennepin County Date ER Status: / Status Environmental Review,Specialist Date Project Number: / Number Financial Manager Date ---------- ----.. ---.. -- -- --.... ---......... ------..... ----- ...--- --.... -- --....... -- -..... - --_.... --.......... A. GENERAL INFORMATION . 1. Community: Hopkins 2. Project Name: Greater Minneapolis Day care Assistance PrCXJram 3. Contact Person: B. PROJECT DATA l. Year XVII Grant Request $ 15,000 2. Is this request to fund an existing project? X Yes No - 3. Leveraged Funds: Amount $ 0 Source (To what extent does project leverage additional public or private funds/firm commitment?) 4. Location: Address Citywide ~ (Attach map.) . 5. Description: (Describe the project in as much detail as possible. . Provide a statement of anticipated results; what, if any alternative funding sources have been considered for the project; and for a multi- year project, describe the program accomplishments to date.) CDBG fW1ds will b2 used to provide day care assistance to income eligible individuals and households through the Greater Minneapolis Day Care sliding fee program. The prcgram will be administered by the Greater Mirmeapjlis Day Care Association. 6. Implementation Schedule: (Identify the major project tasks to be performed during implementation and their timing.) . Date Task (Month/Year) P1."'oqrarn Imp1enentation July 1991-Dec 1991 7. Budget: (Specify total project budget by major project component-- Le. , administration, planning, construction, acquisition, direct grants, public service.) BUDGET SOURCE OF FUNDS Component CDBG Other CDBG (yr)/Other (identify) [l."lY C."lei'" Subsidy $ 15,000 $ 0 1991 / $ $ / $ $ / Project Budget $ 15.000 $ 0 . Total $ 15.000 . REQUEST FOR F1JNDINGfYEAR. xvn ORBAN HENNEPIN COUNTY CDBG PROGRAK .... --.... ------ ----- --... --..... ...---.. ------.. ------- ------..... ---- ----.. -.. ...--.. ...-- --... -... --..... THIS SECTION WILL BE COMPLETED BY HENNEPIN COUNTY National Objectives: Project Eligibility: / Citation Hennepin County Date ER Status: / Status Environmental Review'Specialist Date Project Number: / Number Financial Manager Date --....-----.... --.. --....-..- ---- --- --.. --- --........ -- ---... -------....... ...--.. ---- --..... --- --... -...--..-... A. GENERAL INFORMATION . 1. Community: Hopkins 2. Project Name: IIousmq Rehabi li tation 3. Contact Person: J arres Kerriqan B. PROJECT DATA l. Year XVII Grant Request $ 85,957 2. Is this request to fund an existing project? X Yes No - 3. Leveraged Funds: Amount $ 0 Source (To what extent does project leverage additional public or private funds/firm commitment?) 4. Location: Address Citywide E- (Attach map.) . 5. Description: (Describe the project in as much detail as possible. . Provide a statement of anticipated results; what, if any alternative funding sources have been considered for, the project; and for a multi- year project, describe the program accomplishments to date.) COBG funds will be used to provide loans/grants to eligible low to m::x:lerate incoITi2 horreotffiers in Hopkins. The loan/grant funds will be used to make structural and energy related iEproverrents to their property, in compliance with lIennepin County's Rehabilitation Guidelines. It is anticipated that six households will be assisted with the funds. 6. Implementation Schedule: (Identify the major project tasks to be . performed during implementation and their timing.) Date Task (MonthlYear) Provid~ hnusinCJ rehabilitation loans/grants to eli9ible homeD.vners July 1991-July1992 7. Budget: (Specify total project budget by major project component-- i. e. , administration, planning, construction, acquisition, direct grants, public service.) BUDGET SOURCE OF FUNDS Component CDBG Other CDBG (yr)/Other (identify) Housmg......Reb:"'lhi 1 i rut} on $ R'1,QS7 $ 0 19<11 / $ $ / $ $ / Project Budget $ Rc; Qc;7 $ n . . Total $ 85,957 , , . C I T Y o F HOP KIN S MEMORANDUM Date: March 14, 1991 To: Mayor Nelson Berg Hopkins City council Members From: Kersten Elverum, Housing coordinator Subject: HOME Program Update As you may recall, I met with Ron Block of Senior Services in December to discuss with him the HOME Program, administered by his agency. The program provides services to elderly residents such as lawn care, minor home repair, painting, etc. . . and is paid for by the seniors on a donation basis. Several area cities make the program available to their residents through funding it with CDBG dollars. . Because of the nature of the program it is considered a social service activity. Service activities are limited to 15 to 20% of a cities CDBG allocation. When I spoke to Mr. Block he was under the impression that the county would have additional CDBG repayment monies available to fund social service activities, in which case funding the HOME Program would have no effect on the day care subsidy or monies available for housing rehabilitation. However, Hennepin County has indicated that this is not true and that if we wished to fund the HOME Program with CDBG funds it would have to come from our regular allocation. since the City has already indicated that we will request CDBG funding for the Minneapolis Day Care Association for the 1991 program year, it is my suggestion that the HOME program be reviewed as a part of the 1992 budget process and ranked against other social service activities. It should be noted that the Hopkins Community Center operates a senior skills bank which supplies seniors with capable individuals to perform "home choresll at affordable rates. For more information on this program, contact Debra VoId. . ----