RPVCCA_CC_SR_2013_12_03_05_Proposed_FY_2014-15_CDBG_ProgramCfTYOF
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
REVIEWED:
Project Manager:
HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
LES M. JONES, II, INTERIM DIRECTOR 0
WORKS
DECEMBER 3, 2013
PROPOSED FY 2014-15 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM
CAROLYN LEHR, CITY MANAGER~
Michael Gibson, Senior Administrative Analyst~ 9::J.-
RECOMMENDATIONS
1) Approve the proposed CDBG project and budget.
2) Authorize the Director of Public Works to execute an agreement for the CDBG project
with the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission (LACDC).
3) Authorize the Director of Public Works to adjust the program budget, as necessary, to
take into account the final CDBG allocation and any amounts unexpended at the close of
the current fiscal year.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A public meeting is conducted each year by the City Council to approve CDBG funded projects
for the upcoming fiscal year. In order to continue its participation in the upcoming CDBG
program year, beginning July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, the City must prepare and
submit a summary of proposed CDBG projects, including descriptions and budgets, to the Los
Angeles County Community Development Commission (LACDC) for review and approval by
January 31, 2014.
BACKGROUND
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has participated in the Los Angeles Urban County's
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program since 1986. The U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) established this program to fund local community
development projects which principally benefit persons of low and moderate income levels
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Proposed FY 2014-15 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
December 3, 2013
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and/or aid in the prevention or elimination of blighted conditions. The goal of these projects is
to meet the HUD program objectives to provide housing, economic, and community
development opportunities.
Currently funded (FY 2013-14) CDBG projects in the City are: (1) The Mira Catalina ADA
Access Project -$91,918; and (2) The Home Improvement Program (HIP) for qualifying
residents -$55,000. FY 2013-14 was the last year of the City's involvement in the HIP
Program as a result of the declining availability of funding for this program.
Pursuant to federal requirements, a notice of this public meeting was posted at the Civic
Center, Hesse Park, and the Ladera Linda Community Center on November 1, 2013. A copy
of the public notice is attached to this staff report. Federal requirements also mandate that, as
part of the public meeting, the City Council and the public be informed of the range of eligible
and ineligible housing and community development activities that may be funded under the
CDBG Program. Lists of these eligible and ineligible activities are attached to this report as
Exhibits A and B, respectively. In addition, interested persons may review a copy of the
federal eligibility guidelines at the City of Rancho Palos Verdes' Public Works Department
Office, at 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275.
DISCUSSION
The City's grant allocation from the County is determined by a HUD formula which takes into
account the extent of poverty, population, housing overcrowding, age of housing stock, and
population growth. Participating cities receive funding based upon the total number of cities
participating in the Countywide program and a city's commitment to provide housing,
economic, and community development opportunities, which principally benefit persons of low
and moderate income levels and/or aid in the prevention or elimination of blighted conditions.
Description of Proposed CDBG Project
For FY 2014-15, staff is proposing to use its annual CDBG allocation to fund one Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) access ramps and sidewalk repair project. This project will consist
of ADA access improvements, including sidewalks, access ramps, and bus stops, at various
locations along Palos Verdes Drive West, between Hawthorne Boulevard and Berry Hill Drive.
The project will provide ADAaccessibility to existing sidewalks through the construction of curb
ramps at various intersections and providing sidewalk access for the disabled. CDBG funds
will provide for the design, plans, specifications, and construction required for the removal of
physical barriers for people with disabilities.
Proposed FY 2014-15 CDBG Budget
The LACDC recently informed the City of Rancho Palos Verdes that its preliminary FY 2014-
15 CDBG funding allocation is $140,471. In addition to the annual allocation, the City has
accumulated unexpended project funds of $54,329, for a total of $194,800, which is available
for FY 2014-15. Of this $194,800, $155,840 (or 80%) is available for direct project costs and
$38,960 (or 20%) is available for direct administrative costs. It is recommended that the City
Council approve the following proposed project for the FY 2014-15 program year:
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Proposed FY 2014-15 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
December 3, 2013
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PROJECT PROJECT DIRECT ADMIN TOTAL PROJECT
COSTS COSTS BUDGET
ADA Access $155,840 $38,960* $194,800
Improvements and
Sidewalk Repairs at
Various Locations
Along Palos Verdes
Drive West
*Not to exceed amount
In the event that actual CDBG funding levels vary from the $194,800 estimate, the proposed
project arid budget may be adjusted accordingly.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of staff's recommendation authorizes the allocation of $194,800 in CDBG funds for
the proposed ADA access improvements and sidewalk repair project. This project consists of
ADA access improvements, including sidewalks, access ramps, and bus stops, at various
locations along Palos Verdes Drive West, between Hawthorne Boulevard and Berry Hill Drive.
Upon approval of this CDBG project by the LACDC, the project budget will be programmed
into the City's FY 2014-15 budget (Revenue Account -310-3097-331-10-00; Expenditure
Account-310-3097-461-73-00). The $194,800 in revenue from the CDBG funds will equal
the amount expended on this project, with a $-0-net impact on the City's General Fund.
Attachments: Public Meeting Notice
Affidavit of Posting
Exhibit "A" -Eligible Activities
Exhibit "B" -Ineligible Activities
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CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULED FOR
DECEMBER 3, 2013
FY 2014-15 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes will
conduct a public meeting to receive citizen input on projects to be submitted to the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for funding through the Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Projects discussed at the meeting, which are
determined to be eligible under the Federal Guidelines, will be considered for inclusion in
the City's'2014-15 CDBG Program. The recommended projects and proposed budget will
be considered at the public meeting. The City's FY 2014-15 CDBG projects and budgets
will be submitted to the County of Los Angeles Community Development Commission
(LACDC) for inclusion in its application to HUD. All interested citizens are encouraged to
attend. Persons attending the meeting shall be furnished with the following information: 1)
The amount of CDBG funds expected to be available to the City for the upcoming program
year; 2) The range of housing and community development activities that may be
undertaken with CDBG funds; and 3) The specific activities that are currently funded under
the CDBG Program.
Said public meeting is scheduled to be held on December 3, 2013 at 7:00 p.m., in the City
Council Chambers of Hesse Park, located at 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. The public is
invited to attend and give testimony at the public meeting.
Interested parties wishing to comment on these proposed projects are invited to submit any
written comments and/or questions by 12:00 Noon, on December 2, 2013, to Mike Gibson,
Senior Administrative Analyst, Public Works Department, City of Rancho Palos Verdes,
30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, or may visit the public counter,
Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Posted on November 1, 2013
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RANCHO PALOS VERDES
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES)
The undersigned, being first duly sworn, deposes and says:
That at all times herein mentioned, she was and now is the appointed City Clerk
of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes;
That on November 1, 2013, she caused to be posted the following document
entitled: City of Rancho Palos Verdes, Public Notice, December 3, 2013,
FY 2014-15 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, a
copy of which is attached hereto, in the following locations:
Civic Center
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes
Hesse Park
29301 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes
Ladera Linda Community Center
32201 Forrestal Drive
Rancho Palos Verdes
I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is a true and correct affidavit
of posting.
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Exhibit "A"
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds may only be used for projects and
activities that meet one of the following national objectives of the program:
• Benefiting low and moderate income persons; or
• Preventing or eliminating slums or blights; or
• Meeting a particularly urgent community development need.
IF ANY OF THE ABOVE CONDITIONS ARE MET, under current guidelines, the City of Rancho
Palos Verdes may use CDBG funds for a variety of activities including:
1. Acquisition of Real Property
Example: Acquisition of land, air rights, easements, water rights, rights-of-ways,
building and other real property improvements.
2. Disposition of Real Property
Example: Disposition of real property acquired with CDBG funds through sale,
lease or donation including fees and costs associated with the transfer of
ownership of real property.
3. Public Facilities and Improvements .
Example: Parking, streets, curbs, gutters and sidewalks, parks and playgrounds,
shelters for the homeless, water and sewer facilities, flood and drainage
improvements, community, senior and health centers.
4. Acquisition, Reconstruction, Rehabilitation or Installation of Privately-Owned Utilities
Example: Pay the costs of placing underground new or existing power lines owned
by private utilities.
5. Clearance, Demolition, Removal or Building and Improvements, or Movement of
Structure to Other Sites
Example: Demolition of vacant structure and removal of the debris to make a
neighborhood park and playground available to residents in a low/moderate income
neighborhood.
6. Public Services
Example: Child care, health care, job training, recreation programs, education programs,
public safety services, fair housing activities, services for senior citizens, services
for homeless persons, drug abuse counseling and treatment, and energy conservation
counseling and testing.
7. Interim Assistance
Example: Improvements to a deteriorating area as a prelude to permanent improvements
or alleviation of harmful conditions where immediate public action is necessary.
8. Relocation Payments and Assistance
Example: Relocation and payments to displaced individuals, families, businesses,
or nonprofit organizations that result from the acquisition of property for CDBG-assisted
purposes.
9. Loss of Rental Income
Example: Loss of rental income incurred in holding housing units used for the
relocation of individuals and families displaced by CDBG-assisted activities.
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10. Removal of Architectural Barriers
Example: Installation of ramps, curb cuts, wider doors, elevators, and physical
modification to buildings, facilities and improvements to make them accessible.
11. Housing Rehabilitation
Example: Financial assistance such as grants and deferred loans for the rehabilitation
of any publicly or privately-owned residential property.
12. New Housing Construction
Example: Funding for housing construction project that has received funding
through a Housing Development Grant (HODAG), or housing to be constructed
by a local development corporation, small business investment company, or
neighborhood-based nonprofit organization.
13. Code Enforcement
Example: Inspections in a low/moderate income neighborhood targeted for
rehabilitation assistance, a neighborhood facility and street reconstruction.
14. Historic Preservation
Example: Rehabilitation, preservation and restoration of historic properties.
15. Commercial or Industrial Rehabilitation
Example: Improvements to the exterior of the building and the correction of
code violations.
16. Special Economic Development
Example: Loans to pay for the expansion of a commercial business which will
create jobs for low/moderate income persons, or technical assistance to a
business facing bankruptcy.
17. Special Activities by Neighborhood-Based Nonprofit Organizations, Small
Business Investment Companies, or Local Development Corporations
Example: Provide grants or loans to carry out a neighborhood revitalization,
community economic development or energy conservation program.
18. Planning and Capacity Building
Example: Comprehensive plans, individual project plans, community development
plans, studies, analysis and data gathering.
19. Program Administration Costs
Example: Payment of costs for overall program management.
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Exhibit "B"
INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
Activities and projects that are ineligible for CDBG funding include:
1. Buildings or portions thereof, used for the general conduct of government.
2. General government expenses.
3. Political activities.
4. Purchase of equipment, unless otherwise required for program.
5. Operating and maintenance expenses.
6.. New housing construction, except housing of last resort for persons displaced
due to a CDBG project, housing to be funded through a Housing Development
Grant (HODAG), or housing to be constructed by a local development corporation,
small business investment company, or neighborhood-based nonprofit organization.
7. Income payments to an individual or family for items such as food, clothing, housing
or utilities.
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