Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC)

MEETING MINUTES City of Hot Springs Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) VIRTUAL TELECONFERENCE Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 1:00pm 1. CDAC Chair Terry Kent called the meeting to order at 1:00pm. 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  Alice Marshall, CDAC District 2 Member  Michelle Sestili, City of Hot Springs CDBG Administrator  Anne Quinn, Garland County Habitat for Humanity  Marth Toth, Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association  Cicely Hicks, RA Psychle  Cheryl Batts, P.H.O.E.B.E.  Erica Cross, Spa Area Independent Living Services (SAILS) 2. November 12, 2020 Meeting Minutes Approved (5-0) 3. New Business: a. Fiscal Year 2021 Funding & Applications Michelle Sestili read the following City of Hot Springs announcement from Deputy City Manager Lance Spicer and City Manager Bill Burrough, and the directive from the Hot Springs Board of Directors: “For the upcoming application cycle for CDBG funds, the Hot Springs Board of Directors has authorized 2021 Community Development Block Grant funds be directed towards securing an unsheltered/quarantine persons facility. This is one of their 5 goals directed to the City Manager to accomplish or make substantial progress in 2021. Please feel free to let this direction be known since it will likely have impacts on our CDBG applicants and others. Staff will be making a recommendation to the Board of Directors on either purchasing an existing facility or a property for the construction of a facility. Identifying a property will be difficult and securing the property will be the most difficult task initially. It is expected that a realtor/broker will be needed to research and recommend locations. “ Background information on area homelessness from the homeless count conducted January 23, 2020:  212 homeless persons counted; 90 under the age of 24. HUD definition of homelessness is sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation the night before the count (e.g. car, underpass, encampment, abandoned building, park bench, etc.)  An additional 22 homeless persons were temporarily sheltered the night before  386 children enrolled in school counted separately were either temporarily sheltered, couch surfing, doubled up, staying in a motel or met the HUD definition of homeless  Michelle Sestili opened the floor for questions and comments. Mark Toth emphasized that addressing homelessness was a Hot Springs Board of Directors priority and the quarantine shelter would be operated by a non-profit subrecipient rather than the City. Mark also reiterated that a when no longer needed for quarantine purposes the shelter could be repurposed for another CDBG eligible community use. Cheryl Batts spoke in favor of the quarantine shelter. b. Fiscal Year 2021 Funding & Applications Michelle Sestili presented an overview of the Third CARES Act Amendment to the 2020 Annual Action Plan. A copy of the proposed amendment can be downloaded at https://www.cityhs.net/563/Community-Development or viewed in the lobby at City Hall, 133 Convention Blvd. Considering the unprecedented health and financial crises created by the novel Corona virus (COVID-19), and continued uncertainty in addressing the basic needs of the homeless and at-risk of homelessness, providing quarantine and shelter to prepare for, prevent the spread of and respond to COVID-19 is an identified priority among City leadership and area non- and not-for-profit organizations. Within the City of Hot Springs there are no quarantine facilities for the homeless or those unable to afford accommodations away from their household, and no temporary overnight, emergency or transitional shelter options to support or house intact families, single parents with children, single women, special needs individuals or LGBTQ+ adults. Shelters for victims of domestic violence, unaccompanied youth, single men, and longer term programs for those recovering from substance abuse provide a limited number of beds but they already operate at maximum capacity. The Hot Springs Housing Authority does not have readily available units and their waiting list can be months to well over a year.  The City was awarded $317,926 in the third tranche of CDBG CARES Act (CV-3) funds to prepare for, prevent and respond to the COVID-19 public health crisis  These funds have not been allocated to a project to date  The City of Hot Springs proposes using the $317,926 in CDBG-CV-3 funds as part of an effort to acquire a facility or acquire land and building a facility for unsheltered/quarantine persons and provide access to centralized resources to prevent the spread of and respond to COVID-19  Eligible HUD CDBG acquisition expenses include land, buildings, easements, costs of surveys to identify the property to be acquired, appraisals, preparation of legal documents, recordation fees, and other costs that are necessary to effect the acquisition  Phase I of the acquisition would be the engagement of a realtor, broker or other qualified professional to assist in researching and identifying potential public or private buildings or land for such a facility  When a suitable location has been identified it is anticipated that needed and unallocated prior year CDBG funds and available fiscal year 2021 funds, less necessary grant administrative costs, would be allocated to the purchase and construction/rehabilitation of a quarantine/shelter, as needed  It is expected that such a quarantine/shelter would be managed by a non-profit or several working in concert collaborating with multiple area organizations to provide oversight,  benefits and transitional services such as food, mental health, healthcare, job readiness and placement, etc. in addition to quarantine/shelter  CDBG funding cannot be used for ongoing operational costs such as salaries and utilities, nor can funds be used to purchase moveable equipment or furnishings that are not a permanent structural fixture, e.g. beds, blankets, etc. Other federal, state, local grants and charitable donations would need to be sought Michelle Sestili opened the floor for questions and comments. CDAC publicly discussed and recommended the Third CARES Act Substantial Amendment to the 2020 Annual Action Plan to the Hot Springs Board of Directors, without revisions (5-0). c. CDBG Fiscal Year 2020 HUD Allocation Correction Michelle Sestili presented information regarding the correction needed to the fiscal year 2020 allocation. On November 13, 2020 the City received a Corrected Notice from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development dated October 22, 2020 notifying us of a formula calculation error that reduced the 2020 CDBG allocation from the original $433,063 to $432,973, a difference of $90.00. To account for that change, the City proposed a minor amendment to the 2020 Annual Action Plan to reduce the lowest priority ranked project, Chelsea Street Sidewalks and ADA Accessibility, by an amount of $90.00, from $40,800 to $40,710. The City Engineering Department who estimated and would manage this project agreed to this change since the project is scalable and can be phased. Michelle Sestili opened the floor for questions and comments. CDAC publicly discussed and recommended the proposed fiscal year 2020 $90.00 HUD Allocation Correction to the Chelsea Street Sidewalk & ADA Accessibility Project to the Hot Springs Board of Directors without revisions. (5-0) 4. Old Business: Michelle Sestili provided updates on prior year CDBG projects  HUD approved the first CARES Act amendment to the 2020 Annual Action Plan on November 3, 2020  The Hot Springs Board of Directors adopted the second CARES Act amendment to the 2020 Annual Action Plan on December 1, 2020 to reallocate duplicative healthcare funds to rent and utility emergency subsistence payments.  The second CARES Act amendment was submitted to HUD for review on December 2, 2020. Approval pending.  The City/CDBG/FTA funded Malvern Avenue Gateway Improvement project bid successful. 4 bids were received and the lowest bidder was selected. The Hot Springs Board of Directors will consider the contract award during the December 15, 2020 meeting at 7:00pm in City Hall Board Chambers, 133 Convention Blvd. The public is welcome to attend. Masks and social distancing required.  The CDBG Bell, Garden, Jefferson and Malvern Medians bid was also successful and the lowest bidder has been selected. It is anticipated that the Board will consider awarding that contract during their January 5, 2021 meeting.   Two statements of qualifications were received for the CDBG Administrator position. Following a rate and rank of proposals, Sestili Consulting was selected to continue administering CDBG entitlement grants for the City of Hot Springs through June 30, 2021.  The federal government is currently operating under a continuing resolution that ends at midnight on December 11, 2020. A minibus or omnibus appropriations bill or another continuing resolution could be passed to avoid a shutdown. If not passed, a government shutdown could occur. CDBG Admin and City Finance have taken steps to prepare. CDBG PROJECT STATUSES DECEMBER 2, 2020 -----Funded----- CV-3 $317,926 Proposed quarantine/shelter. Additional CARES Act funding for the prevention of and response to COVID- 19. CV-1 Homeless Assistance $76,824 total allocation; $16,019.38 balance after purchasing the homeless shower/restroom trailer, supplies and cleaning services CV-1 Rent Emergency Subsistence Payments $100,000. HUD approval pending. RFP to be released before end of year for a non/not profit to manage CV-1 Utility Emergency Subsistence Payments $26,825. HUD approval pending. RFP to be released before end of year for a non/not profit to manage CV-1 Food/Meals Services and Supplies $50,824 meals on wheels/grab and go food services. RFPs due no later than 12/14/2020 2018 Home Buyer Education Classes $3,969 balance. 2020 Spot Blight Nuisance Abatement $25,621.02. 8 structures. In progress. 2019 RA Psychle 4C Elderly & Disabled Lawn $8,619.74 balance for youth landscape certifications. Care and Youth Landscape Mentorship Program Program launched 8/14. Refer low- to moderate income elderly and disabled Hot Springs residents in need of lawn care to: HotSprings4C@gmail.com Malvern Avenue Gateway Improvement Project $141,241.56 Contract review by Board 12/15 2018 & 2020 Garden Street Sidewalk & ADA $51,899.64 Survey complete. Contract review by Board 1/5 2019 Dell & Ravine Sidewalk & Drainage $5,359 balance. In progress Improve 2019 Park Avenue Sidewalk & ADA Accessibility $13,297 balance. In progress 2019 Bus Shelter at Ouachita Behavioral Health $2,709.77 balance to be reprogrammed in a 2021 amendment. Concrete pad complete. Shelter to be installed likely after February 2021 Reallocate Bus Shelter to Indiandale Plaza on Concrete pad poured by Engineering Dept. Shelter to be Malvern installed likely after February 2021 2019 Crosswalk on Malvern to Silver Street $11,680 ARDOT consultation in progress. 2019 Habitat for Humanity 115 Watt Street $2,750 balance for 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 $15,000 Environmental review in progress for potential lots. 2020 Bell Street Sidewalk Phase II $10,000 Contract review by Board 1/5. $2,050 in City Complete Streets funds to bridge bid/budget gap. Off Cycle Infrastructure Improvements $35,418.52 Projects to be identified. 2020 Home Buyer Education, Credit Counseling, $25,000 Request for proposals to be prepared and released Refinance and Foreclosure Avoidance Services 2020 John Lee Webb House Brick Masonry & $60,000 Subagreement pending Ancillary Roofs 2020 Cedar Street Sidewalk & ADA Phase III $10,261 Funded. 2020 Jefferson Street Sidewalks & ADA $31,510 Contract review by Board 1/5 2020 Whittington Avenue Drainage $44,850 Environmental Review to be completed Improvements 2020 Chelsea Street Sidewalks & ADA $40,800 Environmental Review to be completed 2020 Creek Street Sidewalks & ADA Accessibility $32,343.75 Environmental Review to be completed 2020 Park Avenue at Tom Ellsworth Sidewalk, $38,875 Environmental Review to be completed ADA & Drainage Improvements -----Completed in 2020----- CV-Homeless Assistance Shower/Restroom Delivered 10/6/2020. First used at free COVID testing day Trailer, ULV Cold Fog Sprayer and disinfectant 11/4/2020 cleaner 2019 Bus Shelter on Hobson near Lacey Installed 9/21/2020 2018 & 2019 Linden Park Bathroom Installed 9/9/2020 Replacement 2019 Arbor Street Sidewalk & ADA Accessibility Completed 8/25/2020 2019 Cedar Street Sidewalk & ADA Phase II Completed 8/12/2020 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 Home dedicated on 1/25/2020 Home Buyer Education February 1, 2020 class with 22 participants October 17, 2020 class with 7 participants November 14, 2020 class with 12 participants Spot Blight Nuisance Abatement 111 Cypress, 130 Gibson, 110 Liberty, 207 Ostego, 324 Ozark, 207 Texas, 621 Crescent, 512 Crescent, 333 Ridgeway, 409 Apex, 213 Meadow, 114 Francis Bus Shelter on Central near Crestwood Installed in February Bus Shelter on Hobson at Charteroak (Ouachita Installed in February Children’s Center) Bus Shelter on Highrise Circle (Housing Installed in February Authority) David F. Watkins Memorial Park CDBG Phase II sidewalks and amphitheater completed. Parks Dept installed trees, benches, lighting, playground with rubberized safety base Michelle Sestili opened the floor for questions and comments. 5. Community Announcements  The Annual HUD Point-In-Time Homeless Count will be held on January 28 and 29, 2021 at the Farmers’ Market / Greenway Trail area. The City CDBG homeless shower trailer will be used.  Garland County Habitat for Humanity will be dedicating their 150th home at 231 Garland Avenue on Saturday, December 12th. People are invited to attend virtually by Facebook live or in-person masked and socially distanced. 6. Having no further business the meeting was adjourned at 1:54pm.