Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC)

MEETING MINUTES City of Hot Springs Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) VIRTUAL TELECONFERENCE Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 1:00pm 1. Michelle Sestili called the meeting to order at 1:02pm. 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, CDAC District 1 Member  Michelle Sestili, City of Hot Springs CDBG Administrator  Jean Lacefield, Gateway Community Association  Anne Quinn, Garland County Habitat for Humanity 2. July 3, 2020 Meeting Minutes Approved (4-0) 3. Old Business: A. Change of CDBG Annual Program Year from January-December to July-June Michelle Sestili reviewed the proposed change in fiscal year for discussion. The Community Development Advisory Committee recommended the Hot Springs Board of Directors consider adopting the proposed program year change during the July 8, 2020 meeting. 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.  Michelle Sestili read the letter of support from Garland County Habitat for Humanity. Anne Quinn added that the fiscal year change and subsequent January/February open application period better aligned with Habitat’s annual home building planning cycle. As moderator, Michelle Sestili opened the floor for CDAC member then resident participants for questions and comments. Terry Kent comment that the fiscal year change would be beneficial when meeting annual spend down timeliness requirements. Kelly Coward and Jean Lacefield expressed support for the change and the shorter timeline between application submission and funding authorization. B. Project Updates Michelle Sestili provided updates on prior year CDBG projects. CDBG PROJECT STATUSES JULY 31, 2020 Funded CV-Homeless Assistance $76,824 total allocation; $16,827.99 balance. Purchases: - 3 Stall Shower/Restroom Trailer $59,016.36 with tax - ULV Cold Fog Sprayer with 7 gal disinfectant $979.65 CV-Health Services and Supplies $128,893 Purchasing of personal protective equipment, medical supplies and testing agents. Ongoing CV-Food/Meals Services and Supplies $50,824 meals on wheels/grab and go food services for low- to moderate-income and limited clientele. Pending CDBG- CV authorization then a Request for Proposals 2018 Home Buyer Education Classes $5,969 balance. Classes currently on hold. 2019 Spot Blight Nuisance Abatement $26,768.51 balance. 2 structures completed in July; 9 in progress; 8 additional structures in environmental review 2018 & 2019 Linden Park Bathroom $97,581.48 Purchased. Delivery expected in August of Replacement 2020. Parks Dept removed old bathroom and is prepping the site. 2019 RA Psychle 4C Elderly & Disabled Lawn $42,303.63 Purchasing in progress. Youth mentees engaged Care in training. Elderly and disabled lawn services launch in August Malvern Avenue Gateway Improvement Project $141,241.56 pending easement for Entergy power line burial 2018 Garden Street Sidewalk & ADA Survey complete. To be included in greater Malvern project. 2019 Dell & Ravine Sidewalk & Drainage $42,121 Contract awarded. Improve 2019 Park Avenue Sidewalk & ADA Accessibility $42,132 Contract awarded. 2019 Arbor Street Sidewalk & ADA Accessibility $13,389 Contract awarded. 2019 Cedar Street Sidewalk & ADA Phase II $10,261 Contract awarded. 2019 Bus Shelter on Hobson near Lacey $11,000 Concrete pad complete and shelter ordered. 2019 Bus Shelter at Ouachita Behavioral Health $11,000. Concrete pad in progress and shelter ordered Reallocate Bus Shelter to Indiandale Plaza on Concrete pad pour scheduled under Engineering Dept Malvern annual supply contract (no charge to CDBG). Shelter in  storage. 2019 Crosswalk on Malvern to Silver Street $11,680 ARDOT consultation in progress. 2019 Habitat for Humanity 115 Watt Street $5,350 water line relocation. In progress. 2019 Habitat for Humanity Garland Avenue $9,000 retaining wall removal and grading for ADA access. Habitat for Humanity Lot Acquisition $6,800 Lots to be identified. Off Cycle Infrastructure Improvements $35,418.52 Projects to be identified. Completed in 2020 2019 Hobson & Linwood Sidewalk & ADA Completed 7/16/2020 2018 OCC Roof Replacement (1:1+ matching) Completed 6/29/2020 2017 OCC Fire Escape Door (1:1+ matching) Completed 1/27/2020 2017 OCC Staircase (1:1 matching) Completed 1/27/2020 Habitat for Humanity 206 Boaz $2,882.54 CDBG lien waived on donated property. Home dedicated on 1/25/2020 Home Buyer Education February 1, 2020 class with 22 participants Spot Blight Nuisance Abatement 111 Cypress, 130 Gibson, 110 Liberty Bus Shelter on Central near Crestwood Installed Bus Shelter on Hobson at Charteroak (Ouachita Installed Children’s Center) Bus Shelter Highrise Circle (Housing Authority) Installed David F. Watkins Memorial Park CDBG Phase II sidewalks and amphitheater complete. Parks, state and other funds being used to complete park construction. As moderator, Michelle Sestili opened the floor to CDAC member then resident participants for questions and comments. Kelly Thomason commented that the Hot Springs Civitans were heavily involved in fundraising for playground equipment at David F. Watkins Memorial Park, and asked what would happen to the homeless shower/restroom trailer after COVID-19 is over. Michelle Sestili responded that the need for the trailer will continue after COVID-19 and as long as there are homeless individuals in need of shower/restroom facilities. It was had been an unmet need before the public health crisis began. 4. Community Announcements  The Gateway Community Association is hosting The Color of Law event presented by the FBI on Wednesday 9/16 from 2:00-4:00pm in the Roy Rowe Auditorium (Jones School/HSSD Administrative building), 414 Linwood Avenue. Masks and social distancing required. Contact Robin Wise at 701-0338 to reserve a seat.  Garland County Habitat for Humanity is in need of lot donations or low cost sales for future home building sites. They anticipate their 147th home dedication in Hot Springs in late September. 5. Having no further business Terry Kent adjourned the meeting at 1:35pm