CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Memo Date: September 9, 2020
Agenda Date: September 23, 2020
Prepared By: Ibis S. Berardi, Housing Program Manager
Through: Nancy A. Bunt, Community Services Director
Requested Action:
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Conduct final Public Hearing to approve the City of Cocoa’s FY 2020/2021 CDBG & HOME Action Plan; authorize submission of the Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and authorize the Mayor to sign all subsequent certifications and agreements.
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Cocoa anticipates receiving $175,690 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and $85,105 in HOME grant funds for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City receives HOME funds from HUD as part of the Brevard County HOME Consortium, which is composed of the cities of Cocoa, Melbourne, Palm Bay, Titusville, and Brevard County.
The overall purpose of the CDBG Program is the development of viable urban communities by providing quality housing, a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities principally for persons of low- and moderate income. Eligible activities include public services, public facilities and improvements, housing, code enforcement, clearance and demolition, economic development, acquisition, and disposition. At least 70% of all CDBG funds must be expended on program activities benefiting low- and moderate income persons. HOME Program funds can only be used for housing activities benefiting low- and moderate income persons.
Based on priorities and goals identified in the FY 2016/2020 Five-Year Consolidated Plan, the City of Cocoa developed a one year Action Plan, which identifies community development projects that shall be undertaken between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021.
As required by HUD and the City’s Citizen Participation Plan, an ad was placed in the Florida Today newspaper summarizing the proposed projects and a 30 day public comment period. The 30 day public comment period began August 20, 2020 and ended on September 19, 2020. No comments have been received.
Projects were advertised with the approximate funding amounts of $177,490 for CDBG and $65,872.88 for HOME in accordance to Council’s approved recommendations on February 26, 2020. However, the City has since received the actual grant allocations of $175,690 for CDBG and $85,105 for HOME. The CDBG allocation decreased by $1,800 and the HOME allocation increased by $19,232.12. The below project amounts have been adjusted accordingly.
PROPOSED FINAL STATEMENT OF CDBG PROJECTS FOR FY 2020/2021
PUBLIC SERVICES:
Community Services Council (meals on wheels & seniors at lunch) $ 8,200
Central Brevard Sharing Center (community kitchen) $12,900
Salvation Army (meals in domestic violence shelter) $ 5,253
CDBG OTHER AND PUBLIC FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS:
Repayment of Section 108 Loan $114,199
ADMINISTRATION:
CDBG Administration and Operational funds $34,138
Fair Housing Education & Outreach $ 1,000
TOTAL CDBG FUNDS: $175,690
PROPOSED FINAL STATEMENT OF HOME PROJECTS FOR FY 2020/2021
Housing: CHDO/Housing Activity $76,594
HOME Administration and Operational funds $ 6,323
HOME Administration County $ 2,188
TOTAL HOME FUNDS: $85,105
Staff is requesting Council hold the second and final public hearing on the proposed FY2020/2021 Action Plan; approve the plan for submission to HUD; and authorize the Mayor to sign all subsequent certifications and agreements.
STRATEGIC PLAN CONNECTION:
Community Development (Redevelopment of the City’s Core) - Supporting these projects in the City will raise the quality of life for its residents, especially those underserved and disadvantaged.
BUDGETARY IMPACT:
None, these funds will be budgeted in the FY2020/2021 budget.
PREVIOUS ACTION:
Held Public Hearing on February 26, 2020 to obtain the views of citizens on housing and community development needs; Council approved recommendations on FY 2020/2021 CDBG and HOME Program funding; and approved notice to solicit public comment and notice of final Public Hearing.
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Recommendation
Conduct final Public Hearing to approve the City of Cocoa FY 2020/2021 CDBG & HOME Action Plan; authorize submission of the Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and authorize the Mayor to sign all subsequent certifications and agreements.