Loading...
Minutes 03-29-05 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CI'TY HALL, ON TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2005 AT 6:00 P.M. Opening Octavia Sherrod, Community Development Manager, City of Boynton Beach, moderated the meeting held for the purpose of hearing the community's input pertaining to the Community Development Block Grant funds. The meeting commenced at 6:01 p.m. A list of attendees is as follows: Shannon Appel David Zimet Cynthia Michelet Ann Wright George Kaukoules Peter Jarovitzky John Garvin Jimmy Weatherspoon Peggy Deal Gall Reynolds Edward Funches Eddie Evan Janet Amigone Vince Larkins Sonny Garcia Pastor Singleton Reverend Walton Thomas Jubilee Ministry Center Boynton Beach Faith-Based Community Development Corporation (CDC) R. M. Lee CDC R. M. Lee CDC Ascension Lutheran Church Ascension Lutheran Church Provident Baptist Urban League PBC Palm Beach County Resource Center Palm Beach County Resource Center Jesus House of Worship Jesus House of Worship AVDA FHC 1631 NW 3rd Lane Provident Baptist Church Prayer Center II. Overview of CDBG Program A. History Ms. Sherrod explained that since 1997, City of Boynton Beach has had the privilege of becoming an entitlement community. Based on the population and poverty level, they were selected by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development as one of the communities in need of funding to help them devise innovative approaches to improve the physical, economic and social conditions of the community. Meeting Minutes CDBG Program Boynton Beach, Florida March 29, 2005 B. National Objectives IVls. Sherrod stated the activities which must be undertaken by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), must meet three (3) national objectives which are: Benefit Iow and moderate-income persons Address slum and blight Meet a particular urgent community development need, (like the hurricane situations experienced, there were some urgent needs. People needed to be relocated and that issue qualified to use some of the Community Development Funds). C. Eligible Activities Ms. Sherrod referred to the list included in the agenda pointing out the types of eligible activities they are allowed to spend CBDG funds on. The City of Boynton Beach is considered the recipient of the funds, and some of the allowed uses are as follows: · Capital Improvements · Property Acquisition · Clearance of Land · Tnterim assistance such as hurricane assistance, earthquakes, flooding · Urban Renewal Projects · Relocation Assistance · Code Enforcement · Housing · Captital Improvements such as streets and sidewalks Ms. Sherrod pointed out that with the housing program they help people with sub-standard houses and bring them up to Code. They do not do remodeling; they just fix Code related issues like electrical and plumbing problems, or replacement of roofs. IVls. Sherrod stated that since :~997, the City of Boynton Beach's allocation has gone from $545,000 to this year's allocation of $636,000. Next year, the CDBG is expected to receive $602,222. However, in the new budget for 2006-2007, the President has indicated he would like to shut down the HUD program and transfer everything to the Department of Commerce. Some local legislators are in disagreement with this approach. Right now the outcome is uncertain. Although the City is slated to get $602,222, anything can happen between now 2 Meeting Minutes CDBG Program Boynton Beach, Florida March 29, 2005 and the time the budget will be approved. There is an anticipation that it is going to be cut quite drastically. III. Using Sub-Recipients Each year the federal government allows a City to share 15% of the CDBG funds with the City's service providers, also known as sub-recipients. An example of these public services is Boynton Beach Community Caring Center. IV. Public Audience 3immy Weatherspoon, Urban League of Palm Beach County, said his organization provides services to citizens of Palm Beach County. They also have an office in Delray Beach so that people who live in Boynton Beach, Boca Raton and Delray Beach, can also benefit from their services and won't have to drive to West Palm Beach. They assist first time homebuyers with mortgage assistance and provide mortgage counseling. He has been a part of the program since 1996 and has seen a need for more assistance for citizens, especially in the area of mortgage assistance. They receive funds from the City of Delray Beach to assist with their program, and hope the City of Boynton Beach and Boca Raton would assist them, so they can do an even greater job. George Koukoules, Ascension Lutheran Church, stated their new church was built in 1983 adjacent to the old one built in 1960. The old church facility is now used for some County meetings like the ACS meeting and AAA meetings. This facility has a nice stage and holds a minimum of 300 people. The old church auditorium could be used for community gatherings and is available for public meetings. He also stated there would be a charge for the use of the premises, in order to help maintain them. However, the church needs to be upgraded and the restrooms need to be handicap accessible. Ms. Sherrod said she gets lots of calls from people looking for places to host public meetings. Public meeting facilities are eligible for CDBG funds as long as it is not for Government use. However, she will not mislead them that they can use CDBG funds to maintain the church but they could probably entertain some dialogue if there was funding available to be able to use their building for the public needs. Cynthia Michelet, R. M. Lee CDC, said she would like to develop a youth program for youth services. This will increase the awareness to the youth and give them an opportunity, and within this, set goals and set up a comprehensive plan for youth within the community. 3 Meeting Minutes CDBG Program Boynton Beach, Florida March 29, 2005 Gail Reynolds, Palm Beach CRC, requested clarification on the objectives of the current commission. Ms. Sherrod said none have been stated so far this year. This first process is to get the community's input as to what the needs are. In order to receive funds, they are required to do a five-year comprehensive plan as to what the needs are and their objectives. They are in the middle of one of the five-year plans. Annually they do a plan where they state their progress within the five-year plan and the plans for the year in particular to help reach the goals stated in the comprehensive plan. She reiterated that these dollars do help lots of people in the community and it would be a travesty if they were no longer available. There are programs to assist children to improve on the FCAT, programs helping elderly who can't afford to pay for medication. Programs to help people who are going through difficult economic times and can't afford to pay their rent. She said it would be a good idea if the community members would contact their local politicians and let them know how they feel about the funds going away. David Zimet, Boynton Beach Faith Based CDC, said there is a need for higher quality affordable rental properties. He said the issue of property values and prices for single-family homes and condos escalating needs to be addressed. Ms. Sherrod stated two years ago, the City of Boynton Beach made an application to the Federal Government for Section 108 Loan in an effort to help with revitalization of the Heart of Boynton Beach. Housing is in crisis right now and they are potentially going to lose Boynton Terrace if it is not renovated. She stated there was a developer in her office just last week who indicated two apartment complexes located within City limits of Boynton Beach that are going condo. Poor people cannot afford to buy houses, and if they take all the rental properties, where are those people going to live. Cynthia Michelet, R. M. Lee CDC, said she would like to see a Utility Assistance Program within the City of Boynton Beach. As of now, people who need utility assistance have to go to the Red Cross, which is located in West Palm Beach, or they have to go to Boca Raton. There is also a need for a G.E.D. Literacy Education Program for adults, which will include HIV and AIDS awareness. Ms. Sherrod stated CDBG does not allow for payment of utility bills, rent or mortgages, but they do fund agencies that can obtain funding for those purposes. 4 Meeting Minutes CDBG Program Boynton Beach, Florida March 29, 2005 Ann Wright, R. M. Lee CDC, said there should be a facility where people can get correct information about what is going on. There should also be an agency where people who need assistance during holiday times can go and ask for help. Ms. Sherrod stated the CDBG Applicant Workshop is the meeting where they distribute the applications. The workshop is there for those people who have never participated in the process. Vince Larkins, FHC, reiterated that the CDBG is a competitive process. Some think that once they fill out an application, their cause will be funded but the dollars are very limited. Ms. Sherrod stated the next City Commission Meeting is Tuesday April 5, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. in the Chambers. Ms. Sherrod asked Ms. Deal to speak about the Palm Beach County Resource Center because she gets a lot of questions about their functions. Peggy Deal, Palm Beach CRC, stated the Palm Beach County Resource Center is there to help any small business with starting up, or if they have an idea, if they need discipline - whatever they need; they're like a toolbox for small business companies. V. Adjournment The participants picked up applications at the end of the meeting, which was duly adjourned at 6:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Catherine Wharton Recording Secretary (March 30, 2005) CDBG Public Meeting Tuesday~ March 29~ 2005 PLEASE SZGN TN Name / 0 rg a~n izatio n Phone # ? s'--z o5 o£ CDBG Public Meeting Tuesday, March 29, 2005 RECEIVED APPL]~CAT[ON Name/Organization I Phone # CI'TY OF BOYNTON BEACH Department of Development Community Improvement Division AGENDA Community Development Block Grant Public Participation Meeting March 29, 2005 6:00 p.m. II. III. IV. V. Opening A. Call to order - Octavia S. Sherrod Overview of CDBG Program A. History B. National Objectives C. Eligible Activities Using Sub-recipients A. Application Workshop Thursday, April 14th, 2005 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. (Commission Chambers) Public Audience Adjournment Define Entitle Status Status, as determined by the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, "whereby a Metropolitan City is guaranteed, as determined by formula set forth by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, certain sums of money to assist states, counties, cities, and towns in devising innovative approaches to improve the physical, economic, and social conditions in Iow-income areas". Eligible Programs as an Entitlement City City activities that are taken on by a municipality must meet three (3) national objectives: · Benefit Iow and moderate-income persons · Address slum and blight · Meet a particular urgent community development need The following is a list of types of eligible activities: Acquisition and disposition Clearance and demolition Interim assistance to arrest severe deterioration or alleviate emergency conditions - e.g., hurricane, earthquakes, flooding Completion of urban renewal projects Relocation assistance Loss of rental income (related to relocation) Code Enforcement Construction of Housing Historic Preservation Housing Rehabilitation Public Facilities and Improvements Public Services Relocation Removal of Architectural Barriers Homeownership assistance (e.g., down payment assistance, interest subsidies) Technical assistance to public or nonprofit entities to increase the capacity of such entities to carry out eligible neighborhood revitalization or economic development activities Lead-based paint testing and abatement Public Facilities and Improvements Acquisition, installation, construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure (e.g., water/sewer lines, streets and sidewalks Acquisition, construction or rehab of neighborhood facilities and facilities for persons with special needs (~e.g., homeless shelters, group homes and halfway houses~) Public Services .lob training and employment services Health care and substance abuse services Child care Crime Prevention Fair housing counseling AMENDED 2005 CDBG SCHEDULE March 15 March 17:1.8 March 29 April-1-3 14 May 2 May 3 - 13 May 16 June 7 June 8 - 30 June 20 July 1 July 18 August 2 August 15 *Changes in BOLD Commission adoption of Grant Funding Policy Advertising of Funding Availability Public Meeting on Funding Availability Beginning of 30 day Application Period CDBG Applicant Workshop (Chambers 1:00- 3:00 p.m.) Applications Due Applications Reviewed by Review Committee Agenda memorandum to City Commission Commission Action on Funding Recommendations Staff Preparation of One Year Action Plan Advertisement for Public Comment 30 Day Comment Period Begins Agenda Memorandum to City Commission Commission Approval of One Year Action Plan One Year Action Plan due to HUD S:\Community Zmprovement\CDBG\2005\AMENDED 2005 CDBG SCHEDULE.doc