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Item 6.
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| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 12/20/2021 |
| Title: | Fast-Track Applications for CDBG-CV Public Services Projects |
| Presented by: | Brenda Beckett |
| Department: | Planning & Community Services |
| Presentation: | Yes |
RECOMMENDATION
Staff and the Community Development Board recommends the Cty Council allocate $150,000 in CARES Act Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) and / or CDBG funding to facilitate fast-track public service awards to nonprofit organizations to meet the needs of low-income individuals and families impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Examples of eligible activities include emergency rent, mortgage, and / or utility assistance; mental health; healthcare; food assistance; adult education, job coaching, employment assistance; childcare and / or tutoring; non-congregant shelter; Wi-Fi to access social services; vaccination activities; etc.
Nonprofit organizations would submit an abbreviated application packet for up to $15,000 beginning in January 2022. Staff would review the packet for eligibility and compliance, and an awardee agreement would be forwarded to the City Administrator for approval. Services could begin in January and / or February.
Examples of eligible activities include emergency rent, mortgage, and / or utility assistance; mental health; healthcare; food assistance; adult education, job coaching, employment assistance; childcare and / or tutoring; non-congregant shelter; Wi-Fi to access social services; vaccination activities; etc.
Nonprofit organizations would submit an abbreviated application packet for up to $15,000 beginning in January 2022. Staff would review the packet for eligibility and compliance, and an awardee agreement would be forwarded to the City Administrator for approval. Services could begin in January and / or February.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
Federal Funding Allocation: In September 2020, the City of Billings was awarded $909,126 in CARES Act Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) funding to prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus pandemic and benefit low-income households in the Billings community. The City must expend 80 percent of the CDBG-CV funding allocation within three years of the executed grant agreement following amendment submission to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Funding allocations totaling $354,540 have been committed for a downtown public restroom and hand washing facility, to a nonprofit organization to provide food to those in need, and for administration costs. A second round of funding allocation recommendations have been made for parks improvements (the Council is also considering the parks projects at this December 20 meeting). The Community Development Board has also recommended this fast-track application process for the remaining $150,000 in CDBG-CV funding to meet the needs of low-income households and to get the funding out into the community in a more expedient manner.
Fast-Track versus Routine Allocation Process
Fast Track: If approved, local social service agencies would be able to submit a packet for staff consideration and recommendation in January 2022 and services could begin shortly thereafter. The packet would include an eligibility checklist illustrating they are currently providing the service and have demonstrated need due to the pandemic and capacity to expand. Organizations would also be required to submit a signed awardee agreement, documentation of nonprofit status, financial information, governing body and organizational information, etc. The packets would be reviewed by Community Development staff and forwarded to the City Administrator for approval.
Routine Allocation Process: Organizations would submit an application by the end of January 2022. The Community Development Board would make recommendations in April and the City Council would take action on recommendations on April 25, 2022. Staff would facilitate awardee agreement signatures and services would begin in May or June. The routine process, while viable, slows down the distribution of funds into the community by about 5 months and also might reach fewer low income residents with fewer projects.
Procedural History
· December 2020: AmeriCorps VISTA members released coronavirus surveys citywide and the Coronavirus Response Initiative Report was published and distributed.
· February through March, 2020: Community Development Board prioritized activities based on demonstrated needs identified by the Coronavirus Response Initiative Report.
· May 2020: The CDBG-CV online grant application was developed and released. Applications were received from the Downtown Business Improvement District, Inc. (BID) for the installation of a downtown public handwashing station / restroom ($117,715) and The Salvation Army for a mobile meals program ($55,000).
· June 2021: The Community Development Board recommended the City Council approve grant awards to the Downtown BID and Salvation Army. City Council approved grant awards on June 28 and both projects are moving forward.
· August through November, 2021: The Community Development Board shared concerns relative to public facility conditions in City parks. Board members toured city parks in low-income neighborhoods and prioritized recommendations for public facility improvements including touchless doors, water fountains, sinks, and ADA improvements.
· December 7, 2021: The Community Development Board approved a fast-tracking process to allocate $150,000 in grants up to $15,000 to local social service organizations.
Funding allocations totaling $354,540 have been committed for a downtown public restroom and hand washing facility, to a nonprofit organization to provide food to those in need, and for administration costs. A second round of funding allocation recommendations have been made for parks improvements (the Council is also considering the parks projects at this December 20 meeting). The Community Development Board has also recommended this fast-track application process for the remaining $150,000 in CDBG-CV funding to meet the needs of low-income households and to get the funding out into the community in a more expedient manner.
Fast-Track versus Routine Allocation Process
Fast Track: If approved, local social service agencies would be able to submit a packet for staff consideration and recommendation in January 2022 and services could begin shortly thereafter. The packet would include an eligibility checklist illustrating they are currently providing the service and have demonstrated need due to the pandemic and capacity to expand. Organizations would also be required to submit a signed awardee agreement, documentation of nonprofit status, financial information, governing body and organizational information, etc. The packets would be reviewed by Community Development staff and forwarded to the City Administrator for approval.
Routine Allocation Process: Organizations would submit an application by the end of January 2022. The Community Development Board would make recommendations in April and the City Council would take action on recommendations on April 25, 2022. Staff would facilitate awardee agreement signatures and services would begin in May or June. The routine process, while viable, slows down the distribution of funds into the community by about 5 months and also might reach fewer low income residents with fewer projects.
Procedural History
· December 2020: AmeriCorps VISTA members released coronavirus surveys citywide and the Coronavirus Response Initiative Report was published and distributed.
· February through March, 2020: Community Development Board prioritized activities based on demonstrated needs identified by the Coronavirus Response Initiative Report.
· May 2020: The CDBG-CV online grant application was developed and released. Applications were received from the Downtown Business Improvement District, Inc. (BID) for the installation of a downtown public handwashing station / restroom ($117,715) and The Salvation Army for a mobile meals program ($55,000).
· June 2021: The Community Development Board recommended the City Council approve grant awards to the Downtown BID and Salvation Army. City Council approved grant awards on June 28 and both projects are moving forward.
· August through November, 2021: The Community Development Board shared concerns relative to public facility conditions in City parks. Board members toured city parks in low-income neighborhoods and prioritized recommendations for public facility improvements including touchless doors, water fountains, sinks, and ADA improvements.
· December 7, 2021: The Community Development Board approved a fast-tracking process to allocate $150,000 in grants up to $15,000 to local social service organizations.
STAKEHOLDERS
Stakeholders in this proposed fast-track process include:
- The fast-track process would speed up service access for low-income households that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic.
- Nonprofit organizations serving low-income populations without enough resources to meet demonstrated need.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
1. Approve the fast-track CDBG-CV process to facilitate funding awards and service starting in January and February 2022; or
2. Not approve the fast-track CDBG-CV process. Under the routine process, funding awards and services would begin in May or June 2022.
1. Approve the fast-track CDBG-CV process to facilitate funding awards and service starting in January and February 2022; or
2. Not approve the fast-track CDBG-CV process. Under the routine process, funding awards and services would begin in May or June 2022.
FISCAL EFFECTS
The City received federal funding specifically to allocate to coronavirus activities and staff anticipates a fast-track allocation process would assist the City in meeting CDBG-CV expenditure deadlines. Negative fiscal effects are not anticipated.
SUMMARY
Staff and the Community Development Board recommend allocating $150,000 in CARES Act Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) and / or CDBG funding to facilitate up to $15,000 for each fast-track public service award. Staff would review application packets for eligibility and make recommendations to the City Administrator for approval and award. This process is expected to significantly decrease the time it takes to allocate funding to organizations assisting those in need.