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Minutes 04-19-11 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH CITY HALL TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2011 AT 5:00 P.M. Present: Octavia S. Sherrod, Chair Debbie Reamsnyder Community Improvement Division Sherry Johnson Community Caring Center I. Opening A. Call to Order – Octavia S. Sherrod Octavia Sherrod, Manager of the Community Improvement Division, began the meeting at 5:12 p.m. II. Overview of CDBG Program Ms. Sherrod advised she did not have to explain the CDBG Program this year due to the only guest, Ms. Johnson, has been to prior meetings and is aware of what the program is about. A. History Ms. Sherrod explained this is a public meeting required by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. It is an annual meeting held for the benefit of people who may be interested in utilizing Community Development Block Grant funds. This meeting was advertised in the Palm Beach Post, in the local section. There were no inquiries by telephone and there were no requests for any special accommodations for this meeting. B. National Objectives C. Eligible Activities . III. Using Sub-recipients A. Application Workshop Thursday, April 21, 2011, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. (location tbd – call 742-6066) IV. Public Audience Ms. Sherrod requested the attendee introduce herself. Ms. Sherrod explained she will skip over all the formalities until others are present; but wanted to explain to Ms. Meeting Minutes Community Development Block Grant Public Participation Meeting Boynton Beach, FL April 12, 2010 Johnson the funding for fiscal year 2011/2012. She explained there have been no formal announcements as to what next year’s grant funding amount will be. She further advised she heard, off the record, that we can anticipate a 30% reduction in the annual allocation. Allocation for this year, fiscal year 2010/2011 was $572,725, so 30% of that would be $400,907. Only 15% can be used for public service activities, which covers the Community Caring Center. As a result, 15% that is allowable for public service, amounting to $60,136. Sherry Johnson of the Community Caring Center, inquired as to how much would be allowed for Economic Development. Ms. Sherrod advised there is no allocation for that. Economic Development has always been what the Commission or the Technical Review Committee recommends. Ultimately, the Commission either agrees to the amount or changes it. Public Service and administrative costs have a ceiling; there is no mandated requirement for Economic Development. Ms. Johnson added that she would like to possibly divert some salaries for public service to economic development, so she anticipates receiving less under public services. Ms. Johnson asked if would there be any leeway to increase the economic development side of what was received last year, so funding might stay close to the amount we received in total last year. Ms. Sherrod asked for clarification of her request. Ms. Johnson stated last year the Center received $50,000 for public services and $25,000 for economic development for a total of $75,000. She indicated the hope is to keep that $75,000 amount. If they were to reduce the amount to $35,000 on the public service side, is there a possibility of increasing the economic development side to $40,000? Ms. Sherrod advised she hesitates to make commitments at this time due to the fact it is uncertain what the bottom line is going to be. She suggested waiting until there is a public announcement or information as to what the allocation is going to be. It was clear they would have to be creative this year and there was no guarantee that any of the grantees would receive the same level of funding as they did last year, especially with the 30% decrease. Ms. Johnson further inquired whether the City has to go to the full ceiling amount that is used for City salaries and programs or could consideration be made to reduce the ceiling to 15%. Ms. Sherrod advised she is not the person to make that determination. The ceiling administrative cap is 20% of the grant, which is $80,000 currently. She inquired if Ms. Johnson was requesting that the City consider lowering that? Ms. Johnson inquired what other projects were in the pipeline for consideration for the use of CDBG funds. Ms. Sherrod indicated they have to keep their housing rehab program going. Ms. Johnson inquired as to the possibility of partnering and explained what is happening to their senior program and how they are uncovering some housing deficiencies and they are looking at a partnership for some rehabilitation efforts in some senior homes. Perhaps some funding could help their clients relocate to better housing if their landlords refuse to fix up the home. She inquired whether they could apply for more dollars for this program for relocation and rehabilitation. Ms. Sherrod explained 2 Meeting Minutes Community Development Block Grant Public Participation Meeting Boynton Beach, FL April 12, 2010 the rules for the relocation allocation. Ms. Sherrod recommended she apply for CDC grants as far as housing for the seniors. They have purchased units in the past and CDC is also involved in the rehabilitation process. Ms. Johnson asked if they could apply for acquisition dollars to purchase homes for the seniors. Ms. Sherrod further explained the NSP1 Program. The CDC purchased the houses, and they are the owners of the houses. Ms. Johnson questioned the allocation process. Ms. Sherrod explained the allocation is determined by formula by the Federal government. The formula consists of the population, income level, level of poverty in the community, among other things. This has been a major part of budget cuts. She suggested reviewing the website, for an explanation of all the federal programs that were cut. This is just the first round. We do not know for sure that it will be cut to this extent or more. Ms. Johnson indicated that the Mayor has placed great emphasis on brick and mortar. She inquired if there was any funding that she could apply for in that category. Ms. Sherrod responded that they do not have a plan determined yet. There was more discussion on the allocation for programs and how much Ms. Johnson could apply for, how much she could receive and what programs she could put the funding under. She discussed the green market and that the market is 500,000 square feet, shy of really being a market. She advised they are in the vicinity of the MLK corridor. Possibly, they could be a partner with the development of MLK. If they continue their growth to the grocery store level, one of the things they want to do is look at the Kreski Foundation as a partner. City support is important to bring in something that significant and there will be need for financing, the 201 financing, which involves CDBG funding. She further inquired if there was a possibility they could get funding for that expansion? Ms. Johnson indicated they would need $200,000-$300,000, the whole amount of the CDBG funding. Ms. Sherrod closed by indicating she would not make any kind of recommendation without having more information on all the programs. She reiterated she knows there is a lot of need and the funding is intended to help the community. She added they have no control over what the allocation is going to be. The budget has not been finalized. She suggested Ms. Johnson contact the representatives in Washington who will be voting on the budget that will dictate what the allocations are going to be. v. Adjournment There were no further questions or comments received and Ms. Sherrod closed the public hearing at 5:37p.m. /'l/I a CC{jf" ( {1_-{.(~4-r- Ellie Caruso Recording Secretary 3