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CONTRACT NO. K-1314-8: A CONTRACT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AND METROPOLITAN FAIR HOUSING COUNCIL, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,000 AS AGREED UPON UNDER THE 39TH YEAR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) AND HOME PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS.
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BACKGROUND: On April 23, 2013, Council approved the CDBG and HOME Program budgets in the amount of $1,080,827. The funding for the Programs is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The budget was developed over a series of meetings of the Community Development Block Grant Policy Committee. This committee consists of thirty-two members that are appointed by the Mayor as designated in the Citizen Participation Plan and ten that are elected as representatives from the five target neighborhoods. The proposed budget was unanimously approved by the Policy Committee on March 3, 2013.
Proposals for funding are presented to the Policy Committee by non-profit agencies to meet the needs of low-to-moderate income citizens of Norman in addition to project proposals generated at a neighborhood meeting held each year with each of the five target neighborhoods. The target neighborhoods are qualified for participation on the basis of the percentage of low and moderate income residents.
The proposed budget included funds for social service and rehabilitation activities for non-profit agencies.
DISCUSSION: The proposed contracts represent a total of $131,416 for rehabilitation and social services for non-profit agencies and $20,000 for fair housing activities that are a required part of the CDBG and HOME Programs.
The Metropolitan Fair Housing Council, located in Oklahoma City, is proposed to be contracted to provide services related to fair housing including but not limited to: investigation of housing discrimination complaints, promotion and education of fair housing laws and requirements and testing to determine compliance. This agency has been contracted to provide these services since the inception of the CDBG Program in Norman.
The proposed resolutions provide for the conveyance of sales tax exemption for work and materials purchased in conjunction with the contracts for the CDBG projects. The contracts and resolutions have been developed in conjunction with all City of Norman and HUD requirements.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff has reviewed the proposed contract and recommends approval. Funds are available in the Community Development Fund in CDBG Year 14, Consultant-Other (account 021-4077-463.40-09) and HOME Year 13, Consultant-Other (account 021-4079-463.40-09).