Lodi Improvement Committee

REGULAR SESSION LODI IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TUESDAY, Teleconference Meeting AUGUST 11, 2020 Streaming Link: https://www.facebook.com/CityofLodi/ @ 6:00 PM SPECIAL TELECONFERENCE NOTICE Pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20: The Brown Act, Government Code Section 54953, contains special requirements that apply when members of a legislative body participate in a public meeting by telephone. Certain of these requirements have been suspended by Paragraph 3 of Executive Order N-29-20, executed by the Governor of California on March 17, 2020 to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus known as COVID-19. In particular, the Executive Order suspends that provision of the Brown Act that requires noticing, posting of agendas, and public access to each location where a member will be participating telephonically, as well as provisions that require physical presence of members of the legislative body or the public for purposes of a quorum or to hold a meeting. Executive Order N-29-20 allows an agency to conduct a teleconference meeting that provides members of the public telephonic or other electronic participation in place of making a physical location for the public to observe the meeting and provide public comment, consistent with other provisions of the Brown Act. The following members of the City of Lodi Lodi Improvement Committee are listed to permit them to appear telephonically at the Lodi Improvement Committee Meeting on August 11, 2020: Committee Members: Fran Forkas, David Diskin, Lynsay Nuss, Kathryn Siddle and Sandra Vargas. Public Comment: As always, members of the public can send written comments to the Lodi Improvement Committee prior to the meeting by emailing LICcomments@lodi.gov. These emails will be provided to the members of the Lodi Improvement Committee and will become part of the official record of the meeting. Members of the public who wish to verbally address the Lodi Improvement Committee during the meeting should email those comments to LICcomments@lodi.gov. Comments must be received before the Chair announces that the time for public comment is closed. Staff will read three minutes of each email into the public record. IMPORTANT: identify the Agenda Item Number or description in the subject line of your email. Example: Public Comment for Agenda Item Number 5.A.a. Committee to review 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan (AAP) process. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Executive Order N-29-20, if you need special assistance to provide public comment in this meeting, please contact the Office of the Community Development Department at (209) 333-6711 or LICcomments@lodi.gov at least 48hours prior to the meeting in order for the City to make reasonable alternative arrangements for you to communicate your comments. If you need special assistance in this meeting for purposes other than providing public comment, please contact the Office of the Community Development Department at (209) 333-6711 or LICcomments@lodi.gov at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting (28 CFR 35.160 (b) (1)). Viewing: Members of the public may view and listen to the meeting at: https://www.facebook.com/CityofLodi/ 1of 2 Lodi Improvement Committee Agenda August 11, 2020 For information regarding this agenda please contact: Kari Chadwick @ (209) 333-6711 Community Development Secretary 1. Roll Call 2. Reorganization A. Lodi Improvement Committee Chair & Vice Chair 3. Approve Minutes None 4. Comments by the Public on Non-Agenda Items (5 minute limit per speaker) If you wish to address the Commission, please refer to the Special Teleconference Notice at the beginning of this agenda. Individuals are limited to one appearance during this section. 5. Annual Goals A. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) a. Committee to review 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan (AAP) process b. Staff update on 2021-2022 AAP schedule c. Staff update on CDBG-CV funding process B. Update on LIC 2019-20 Goals from Members and Staff 1. Support ABCD: Love Your Block program 2. Implement City’s CDBG Consolidated Plan 3. Reduce homelessness and increase homeownership 4. Encourage beautification and community service leaders 5. Support visionary community development projects 6. Promote these goals in the City 7. Promote civic engagement and greater interest in this committee C. Update on Drafting Revised Committee By-Laws 6. Regular Business A. Member vacancy update B. Determine topics for upcoming meetings a. September – TBD b. October - TBD 7. Comments from Board members and Staff on Non-Agenda Items (5 minute limit per speaker) 8. Announcements 9. Adjournment Pursuant to Section 54954.2(a) of the Government Code of the State of California, this agenda was posted at least 72 hours in advance of the regularly scheduled meeting (or 24 hours in advance of a special meeting) at a public place freely accessible to the public 24 hours a day. Patrice Clemons CDBG Program Specialist Page 2 of 2  MEMORANDUM, City of Lodi, Community Development Department To: Lodi Improvement Committee From: Patrice Clemons, CDBG Program Specialist/City Staff Liaison Date: August 11, 2020 Subject: Staff Report on Updates to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Purpose: Lodi Improvement Committee supports Staff in implementation of the City’s five-year Consolidated Plan including conducting outreach, providing feedback on program processes, and making recommendations to the City Council on funding and project priorities. Action: Lodi Improvement Committee will receive report from Staff on status of CDBG program and will provide feedback. Background: Committee to review 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan (AAP) process The City of Lodi (City) receives an annual allocation of funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. In the 2020- 21 program year, the City will receive $647,277 in CDBG funds from HUD. The City adopted its five-year 2019-2023 Consolidated Plan, as required by HUD, which lays out how the City plans to use the funds through strategies and goals that improve quality of life in Lodi and address community needs. During 2020, the City amended its plan, which his awaiting final approval from HUD with more specific goals and priority populations: The proposed priority goals and populations are summarized below: Goals: 1. Promote Safer Neighborhoods 2. Improve Community Parks and Green Space in CDBG target area 3. Infrastructure and Facility Improvements 4. Increase and Maintain Supply of Affordable Housing 5. Build Capacity in CDBG Target Area 6. Support Public Service Programs for Priority Populations 7. Affirmatively Further Fair Housing Page 1 of 4  8. Improve Housing Affordability 9. Support Programs and Projects that Reduce and Prevent Homelessness 10. Create and Promote Housing for Homeless Populations Priority Populations: 1. Very low-income persons, specifically children, youth, single-parent families, individuals, seniors, and persons with disabilities 2. Extremely low-income persons, specifically children, youth, single-parent families, individuals, seniors, and persons with disabilities Each year the City prepares an Annual Action Plan that identifies the services and projects to fund that will meet these Consolidated Plan goals. As part of this planning process, the City gathers public comment on the community needs and recommended activities to meet those needs. Applications for funds are scored by staff and the Lodi Improvement Committee. Activities that further the City’s five-year Consolidated Plan goals and meet priority community needs are given the highest priority for funding. Funding recommendations by Staff and Lodi Improvement Committee are provided to City Council for consideration, revisions, and final approval. The City Council has a policy that 60% of CDBG award funds will be allocated to City-sponsored projects, and that the remaining 40% will go towards community-based organizations. Per HUD regulations, program administration activities are limited to 20% and public service activities are limited to 15% of the total grant award. This year’s estimated cap on public services is $97,091; this is based on the City receiving $647,277 in total award funds. This year’s projects are as follows: 1. Planning and Administration - $113,715 2. Planning and Administration Fair Housing – $15,740 3. Infrastructure and Facility Improvements (Alley) - $314,991 4. Salvation Army HVAC and Refrigerator Repairs (Continued from PY19-20) - $105,740 5. Graffiti Abatement - $30,000 6. Ready to Work - $10,000 7. Community Partnership for Families - $37,091 8. LOEL Senior Center - $10,000 9. Second Harvest - $10,000 Recap of Final Scoring and Funding Recommendations Process: At Lodi Improvement Committee meeting, the Committee will follow the following agenda: o Before providing a final score on an application, a Committee member may ask for additional information from committee members, staff, or applicants that are present. They may adjust their scores accordingly. o Lodi Improvement Committee members and staff will then announce their final score on each application. o Public comment will be invited on proposed final scores. Page 2 of 4 o Committee members will vote to accept final scores. o Once final scores are announced, applications will be ranked according to scoring. o Next, the Committee will discuss the amounts to fund for each application. The committee may use a number of options to determine the amount; for example, fund the top ranked applications at the amounts requested until all funds are used-up; fund all applications at declining amounts based on rank or percentage. o Public comment will be invited on proposed funding allocations. o Committee members will vote to accept recommended funding allocations for selected projects. o Committee recommendation is then provided to City Council for consideration and final approval. o City Council reviews, revises (as applicable), and approves final allocations Staff update on 2021-2022 AAP schedule The 2021-2022 AAP is due to HUD by May 15, 2021. In recent years, HUD has announced deadline extensions due to federal funding delays and, most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic. HUD will likely make its announcement for funding and deadlines in Spring of 2021. For comparison purposes and discussion, the City conducted the following process for its 2020-21 AAP cycle: - Early November – community outreach meeting on community needs - Late November – published notice for upcoming release of funding availability - Early December – published notice of funding availability (NOFA), and application presentation and community outreach meeting at regular LIC meeting - Mid December – attended community outreach event - January – potential applicants provide presentations or answer questions at regular LIC meeting - January/Feb - begin consultations - March – vote on final scores and allocations at regularly scheduled LIC meeting - Mid March – draft AAP released to public for 30 day public review - Mid April – presented draft AAP to City Council - May – presented final AAP to City Council for approval Staff update on CDBG-CV funding process The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has recently allocated additional funds to jurisdictions across the Country in an effort to help better respond to immediate needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the City of Lodi could receive $380,000 in additional Community Development Block Grant – Covid Response (CDBG-CV) funds. Funds can be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to Coronavirus impact. For a current summary of eligible activities, see this online HUD brochure: https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/CPD/documents/DOB-TA-CDBG-summary-table-Notes- 06232020-Attachment.pdf . Page 3 of 4 The City is currently evaluating potential projects, including consideration of a homeless shelter and services. To obtain HUD approval for any project, the City is required to follow CDBG procures for updating its consolidated, annual, and citizen participation plans. HUD requires the City to follow typical processes, except for reduced public engagement requirements in order to expedite the use of funds. For the most up to date information on CDBG-CV requirements, please see HUD’s resource page: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/cdbg/disease/ Fiscal Impact: HUD’s annual allocation for CDBG funds will be announced in Spring 2021; the City estimates receiving $600,000. HUD announced $380,000 in potential CDBG-CV funds for City of Lodi. Attachments: None Page 4 of 4  2019-20 Committee Goals *Updates from Patrice’s 10/08/19 notes are in Red *Please see scanned PDF for full written notes Vision The Lodi Improvement Committee is organized and created for the purposes of maintaining and improving the quality of life and appearance of Lodi by the coordinated efforts of a broad spectrum of the community. Goal Objective Identify a big-picture goal. Identify at least one objective for each goal. This an activity and This described what describes “how” we are going to achieve our goal. change/outcome we want to see to support our vision. 1. Empower and support a. Provide support to the ABCD program through mentoring project residents to become leaders leaders, participating in monthly meetings, supporting workshops, for transforming their promoting events, and providing resources/connections. community, through the City’s partnership program Timeline: Year-long Lead: Kathryn Asset-Based Community Member support: Kathryn Develop (ABCD): Love Your Resources: City funds ABCD program coordinator position and ABCD Block. leaders facilitate and create the program Status: In progress Update: 3 are done, 1 more pending, meeting later in Oct. b. Recognize ABCD Cycle 3 projects through an LIC award. Timeline: Fall/Winter 2019 Lead: David Member support: David Resources: Create award criteria and type of recognition Status: In progress Update: January tentatively 2. Develop viable urban a. Conduct community outreach on priority needs and goals for the communities as directed by annual CDBG application cycle. the Community Development Block Grant Timeline: October 2019 – May 2020 Lead: David (CDBG) program and further Member support: David, Doug implemented in the City’s Resources: Consolidated Plan. Status: In process- On going b. Score applications and recommend projects and funding to the City Lodi Improvement Committee GOALS WORKSHEET Page 1 of 3  Council. Timeline: November 2019 – May 2020 Lead: All Committee members Member support: All members Resources: Staff liaison to provide program requirements and facilitate annual action plan process Status: In process- on going 3. Reduce homelessness a. Support Lodi Committee on Homelessness (LCOH) by attending and increase affordable monthly meetings (1st Thursday), and reporting back to the LIC. homeownership. Timeline: Year-long Lead: Kathryn Member support: Kathryn Resources: Information provided by LCOH Status: In-process b._Research land trust options for creating affordable housing options for people experiencing homelessness. Timeline: Year long Lead: Doug Member support: Doug Resources: Scheduled for January 23rd, 2018. Status: in process c. Research homebuyer programs and sources of funding. Timeline: TBD Lead: Kathryn Member support: Kathryn Resources: Reached out to City Council Status: in process 4. Encourage beautification a. Identify and award properties, buildings, projects, and individuals that and improvements in Lodi have helped improved Lodi. by recognizing properties and community service Timeline: Year-long Lead: David leaders. Member support: David Resources: Neighbhorhood Services/ Parks-Rec, Public Works, Building, Social Media to identify, community organizations Status: Nominations Pending b. Collaborate with other Lodi groups who are already doing this (e.g. Tree Lodi). Timeline: TBD Lead: David Member support: David Resources: Lodi Improvement Committee GOALS WORKSHEET Page 2 of 3  Status: TBD 5. Support visionary a. Research project information; solicit feedback from the community, community development staff, experts, and other stakeholders to determine feasibility; identify projects funding opportunities; present to committees and City Council; and create sub-committees for long-term implementation. Current visionary projects include: a. Greenline project b. Shade tree design standards c. Public garden d. Parking space reductions. Timeline: Year long Lead: Doug Member support: Doug Resources: Coordinate with Public Works, Parks, and other City departments Status: In process 6. Promote LIC’s goals in the a. Present LIC activities to City Council twice a year. City. Timeline: October and April Lead: David Member support: David Resources: Status: In progress- Patrice will schedule a follow up meeting for goals from last year; at minimum, LIC member will meet and give feedback individually in person b._Meet with community leaders and attend a community event/fair where information is provided about the LIC and its goals . Timeline: Year Long Lead: Rehana Member support: Rehana, Kathryn Resources: Status: Pending 7. Promote civic a. Hold at least one LIC meeting in an alternative location. engagement and greater Timeline: Year Long interest in LIC. Lead: Rehana Member support: Rehana, Kathryn Resources: Status: Pending/ CA Human development as part of AAP Lodi Improvement Committee GOALS WORKSHEET Page 3 of 3