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PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING AMENDMENT NO. ONE TO THE FIFTH YEAR ACTION PLAN FOR THE 40TH YEAR NORMAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
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BACKGROUND: The 2010-2014 Consolidated Plan approved in 2010 is a comprehensive planning approach to identify and address the needs of low-to-moderate income residents of Norman. Incorporated in the plan was a community profile of needs, goals and objectives related to housing, homeless persons, community development (including facilities, infrastructure, public services, and economic development), public and assisted housing needs, and other issues including fair housing and lead-based paint; and a strategic plan to address those needs.
The 2014 Action Plan for the 40th Year Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the 2014 HOME Partnership Program (City of Norman FY 2014-2015) were approved by the Norman City Council on May 13, 2014 and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on June 18, 2014. All activities included in the proposed use of funds referenced the Five-Year Consolidated Plan Objectives and expected performance outcomes, and totaled $1,040,054.
DISCUSSION: The Action Plan for 2014 was based upon research which utilized existing documents, and the recommendations of the CDBG Policy Committee as a result of the formal citizen participation process. The process included one set of neighborhood meetings for five target neighborhoods; ad-hoc and/or sub-committee meetings on public services, housing, homelessness, economic development/anti-poverty, and citizen participation; a Community Dialogue on housing and community development needs; and two Policy Committee meetings. The Policy Committee unanimously recommended approval of the 2014 Action Plan and budget that was submitted.
All approved activities began July 1, 2014. Since the implementation of the approved activities, two modifications that require a formal amendment to the Action Plan have presented themselves. Amendment No. One to the Fifth Year Action Plan proposes one modification to an approved activity, and the addition of a new activity.
The proposed modification is to increase the budgeted amount in the approved activity for Acquisition of Property from $50,000 to $75,000. The Fifth Year Action Plan included a proposed acquisition to allow for the potential relocation of Food and Shelter, Inc. to an undetermined location. Purchase negotiations between the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Food and Shelter, Inc. have now been completed. It is the intent of Food and Shelter, Inc. to relocate their facility to this location. The purchase will be approximately 3 ½ acres generally located south of the intersection of East Main Street and Reed Avenue. The new facility will include general administration activities, kitchen and dining, day shelter, as well as housing units. The $25,000 increase in funding will be reallocated from the Exterior Improvements Program.
The proposed new activity is to add an infrastructure project targeting the accessibility issues of existing sidewalks within two of the five targeted CDBG neighborhoods. This pilot project will be undertaken jointly with the Department of Public Works to address ADA trip hazards in an area generally bounded by Main Street on the north, James Garner Avenue on the east, Boyd Street on the south, and Chautauqua Avenue on the west. The exact boundaries of the subject area will be modified as funds allow. The estimated cost of this project is $70,000. Funds will be reprogrammed from the Exterior Improvements Program.
The Exterior Improvements Program has not expended funds at the anticipated rate and the reprogramming of these funds will not be detrimental to the program. The CDBG program must comply with a HUD mandated timeliness requirement for appropriate expenditure of budgeted funds. Reallocation of these funds will allow for timely disbursement.
On January 14, 2015, the CDBG Policy Committee unanimously approved these changes to the Fifth Year Action Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of Amendment No. One to the Fifth Year Action Plan for the 40th Year Community Development Block Grant Program is recommended as proposed.