Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC)

MEETING MINUTES City of Hot Springs Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) VIRTUAL TELECONFERENCE and IN-PERSON MEETING Wednesday July 8, 2020 at 1:00pm City of Hot Springs Board Chambers, 133 Convention Blvd, Hot Springs, AR 71901 1. CDAC Chair Terry Kent called the meeting to order at 1:04pm. Those in attendance:  Terry Kent, CDAC Chair and Member at Large  Leslie Ramsey, CDAC Co-Chair and Member at Large  Kelly Thomason, CDAC Member at Large  Kelly Cowart (by phone), CDAC District 1 Member  Alice Marshall (by phone), CDAC District 2 Member  Kathy Sellman, City of Hot Springs Planning & Development Director  Michelle Sestili, CDBG Administrator  Mark Toth, Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association 2. New Business: A. Substantial Amendment to Repeal the CARES Act 2019 Annual Action Plan Amendment and Consider a Proposed CARES Act 2020 Annual Action Plan Amendment https://www.cityhs.net/DocumentCenter/View/11982/2020-Annual-Action-Plan-CDBG-CV- Amendment-Proposal-v1- Michelle Sestili presented the proposed amendment. The City of Hot Springs receives CDBG funds annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is required to submit an Annual Action Plan detailing how funds will be spent. Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 91.505 requires the City formally amend prior Annual Action Plans whenever changes in spending are needed. An April 1, 2020 HUD memo indicated that CDBG-CV funds and activities should be detailed in a substantial amendment to the last approved Annual Action Plan. On May 4, 2020 the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) reviewed a proposed substantial amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan to allocate the additional $254,473 in CDBG- CV funds to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) as authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which was adopted in Resolution 9627 by the Hot Springs Board of Directors on May 5, 2020. Congress approved the 2020 Annual Action Plan on June 17, 2020 prior to HUD approval of the 2019 Annual Action Plan CARES Act CDBG-CV amendment making 2020 our last approved Annual Action Plan rather than 2019. To request and account for CARES Act CDBG-CV funding, the 2019 Annual Action Plan amendment must be repealed and replaced with an amendment to the 2020 Annual Action Plan. The 2020 Annual Action Plan Amendment includes the same goals, funding and activities as previously included in the 2019 Annual Action Plan Amendment.  The substantial amendment describes and accounts for proposed CDBG activities and expenditures in the prevention and response to COVID-19 for needs that were not originally considered or planned in the 2020 Annual Action Plan. This substantial amendment proposes funding for 3 citywide activities to prevent and respond to COVID-19:  $126,825.00 Heath Services: Provide funding for health services, needs and supplies resulting from COVID-19 to include, but it not limited to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and testing supplies and equipment for clinics to serve Hot Springs low- to moderate-income residents  $76,824.00 Homeless Assistance: Provide assistance to aid homeless and low-income individuals in the Hot Springs area with isolation/quarantine lodging; provide homeless public services and supplies to prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19  $50,824.00 Meal Programs: Provide meals on wheels / grab and go food services to low – to moderate-income residents CDAC Chair opened the floor for questions and comments. CDAC publicly discussed and by unanimous vote (5-0) recommended the Hot Springs Board of Directors consider repealing the May 5, 2020 2019 Annual Action Plan amendment and adopt a Substantial Amendment to the 2020 Annual Action Plan. B. Change of CDBG Annual Program Year from January-December to July-June Michelle Sestili presented the proposed change in fiscal year for discussion, comment and consideration. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development budget and subsequent CDBG allocation announcement and final authorization are contingent on the passage of a Federal appropriations bill by Congress each year. The timing of an appropriations bill has varied widely between March and June, and in recent years the City of Hot Springs has been receiving CDBG funding authorization between June and September for a fiscal year that began in January. The delay between Annual Plan preparation for on-time submission and funding authorization has created several challenges including difficulty funding urgent needs and reaching timely spend down goals. We are proposing a change from the current January to December fiscal year to a July to June fiscal year. Major Activities Current January – December Proposed July – June Application Period July & August January & February Application Prioritization October April with Annual Action Plan Annual Action Plan November 15 or within 60 days of May 15 allocation announcement Funding Authorization June – September July – September Timely Spend Down Date October 30 April 30 CAPER Report No later than March 31 No later than September 31 Benefits of the July to June fiscal year include better alignment with funding allocation and authorization timelines, more opportunity to reach the timely spend down goal in April rather than October, and the ability to fund projects in the same year that the applications are presented. The CDAC Chair opened the floor for questions and comments. Mark Toth spoke in favor of the change.  CDAC publicly discussed and recommended the Hot Springs Board of Directors consider changing the CDBG fiscal year to July – June. 3. Old Business Michelle Sestili provided updates.  The 2020 Annual Action Plan was approved by Congress on June 17, 2020. HUD funding authorization agreement was received, signed and returned by the City on June 30, 2020.  Fiscal year 2018 Ouachita Children’s Center Roof Replacement project completed.  Bid opened on May 5, 2020 to remove 13 condemned structures. Award decision pending. 8 more condemnations proposed and undergoing environmental review.  Contract awarded to lowest responsive bidder Goslee Construction for 2019 sidewalk, drainage, and ADA accessibility improvement projects: Arbor, Cedar, Hobson & Linwood around Jones School building, Dell and Ravine intersections at Park, Park Avenue, and bus shelter pads at Hobson at Lacy and Ouachita Behavioral Health and Wellness.  Home Buyer Education Classes temporarily on hold  RA Psychle Community Call, Care and Compliance (4C) at-risk youth landscaping mentorship and certification program and elderly and disabled lawn care services to launch in August  CDBG-CV Homeless Assistance: Bids for a mobile shower trailer for the homeless opened June 29th. Lowest bid with delivery fee $55,344 for 3 private stalls with a shower/sink/toilet with one stall being ADA accessible. The mobile trailer will be made available for organizations to use in conjunction with services they may be providing to the homeless, e.g. meal services, annual point- in-time count, COVID testing days, etc. All HUD guidelines will apply to organizations using the trailer; a set-up training and service agreement will be required.  CDBG-CV Meal Services: A Request for Proposals will be prepared after CV funding is authorized seeking an ‘umbrella’ non-profit to purchase food/meals, coordinate with other organizations to distribute to low- to moderate-income households and homeless individuals, collect eligibility paperwork and track results while ensuring non-duplication of benefits. CDAC Chair opened the floor for questions and comments. 4. Having no further business, CDAC Chair Terry Kent adjourned the meeting at 1:39pm