School Committee Human Resources & Labor Relations Subcommittee

Howard L. Brown Public Safety Building – 1100 SW Smith St. – Journagan Community Room AMENDED (to include information on participation via conference call) CDBG ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA Thursday, August 6, 2020 - 6:00 p.m. Please Note: Face coverings are required to be worn by all committee members, staff, and attendees pursuant to Order of the Jackson County Health Director dated July 1, 2020, and Phase 2.5 of the Eastern Jackson County Recovery Plan. Anyone unable to wear a face covering pursuant to the County’s requirement can participate in the public hearing via conference call at 816-743-4875; Conference ID 450 730 63# as provided in Section 610.020(4) RSMo. and under the City’s CDBG Citizen Participation Plan. 1 CALL TO ORDER • Minutes – July 14, 2020 2 PUBLIC HEARING / 2020-2021 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN / PROJECTS & ACTIVITIES • Affidavit of Publication in The Examiner on June 27, 2020 • Review funding proposal and make recommendation to the City Council to be heard at a final public hearing on Monday, October 5, 2020. • Recommend the draft plan proceed to a 30-day public review and comment period beginning Saturday, August 15, 2020. 3 OTHER BUSINESS • The next anticipated meeting will be held in mid-late November 2020 to review the 2019-2020 CAPER (Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report). 4 ADJOURN If special accommodations are required for citizen participation in this meeting, PLEASE CALL 228-0207 (VOICE) OR 228-0250 (TDD) Agenda posted at the following locations: City Hall, 903 W. Main Street City’s website http://www.bluespringsgov.com/AgendaCenter July 31, 2020 Amended August 4, 2020 A quorum of the City Council may be in attendance however no City Council votes will be taken. Community Development 08-06-2020 CDBG Page 1 of 1 mw  City of Blue Springs 903 W. Main Blue Springs, Missouri 64015 CDBG ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Tuesday, July 14, 2020 A State of Emergency for Jackson County, Missouri was declared on March 12, 2020 and subsequent amendments by Jackson County Executive Order requiring residents to stay at home and limiting public gatherings to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. A meeting of the CDBG Advisory Committee of the City of Blue Springs was held in the Journagan Family Community Training Room located at 1100 SW Smith Street at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 with the following members, guests and staff in attendance: VOTING MEMBERS Susan Stokenbury, PC Rep. Chris Lievsay, Council Dist. 2 PRESENT Jason Ellis, Downtown Resident Jerry Kaylor, Councilmember, Dist. 1 Keith Hannaman, Vice Chair Susan Culpepper, Councilmember Cindy Miller, Chairperson Dist. 3 STAFF / OTHERS Mike Mallon, Com. Dev. Matt Wright, Com. Dev. Chris Sandie, Public Works Pam Buck, Downtown Alive MaryAnne Metheny, Hope House CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Cindy Miller called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Matt Wright, Liaison called the roll. Committee Member Cindy Miller called in at 6:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Miller requested action on the May 14, 2020, meeting minutes. Committee Member, Keith Hannaman made a motion to approve the minutes, a second from Committee Member Jason Ellis, and a unanimous vote, the minutes for May 14, 2020, were approved as submitted. OPEN PUBLIC HEARING Chairperson Miller opened the public hearing for the Annual Action Plan at 6:01 p.m. CDBG Minutes – 07.14.2020 Page 1 of 4 kf AGENDA ITEM 2 Matt Wright, Acting Assistant Director, stated that this meeting is the first PUBLIC HEARING / 2020- hearing for the 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan. Typically, the meeting would 2021 ANNUAL ACTION take place a couple of months prior, but due to COVID-19 HUD provided PLAN / PROJECTS & extensions. The goal is to get the information to HUD in October 2020. Mr. ACTIVITIES Wright explained the process and goals for the Consolidated Plan. Anything that is approved must meet the five (5) goals that is within the Consolidated Plan. The City of Blue Springs has been allocated $268,985 for the 2020-21 program year. In addition to the 2020 allocation, there is also $92,970.12 from pre-2019 allocations that will need to be reallocated. Therefore, staff estimates that there will be approximately $361, 955.12 to the programs for 2020-21. Mr. Wright explained how the City has expended funds in the past. There has been almost $2.9 million spent in CDBG funds since 2006. Most dollars have gone towards infrastructure projects and Minor Home Repair. Mr. Wright stated that the low-moderate census blocks have remained the same. Staff recommended continuing the Minor Home Repair Program based on the need. QUESTIONS Councilmember Susan Culpepper questioned what Minor Home Repair items staff is seeing a lot of. Mr. Wright stated that a lot of the applications that come in are generated from code violations. Mr. Wright stated the repairs vary, but that siding and painting are most frequently requested. HVAC and Water Heaters were added a couple of years ago and have been a successful addition. Mr. Wright stated that staff is looking at splitting the funding allocation, one for code violations and the other for general requests, that way there is year-round funding for code violations. There are a lot of repeat applicants, Mr. Wright is looking at ways to lessen this by giving first time applicants an advantage and putting repeat applicants on a waiting list. First Time Home Buyers numbers have declined. However, staff believes this is still a popular program and receives a lot of questions and interest in it. The Fieldhouse Scholarships are utilizing approximately $1,500 a year to provide reduced rates for low-income residents to use the Fieldhouse facility. Community Administration & Planning is typically between $5,000 - $10,000 annually, which covers public notices, recording liens, and any kind of paperwork that must be completed to satisfy the HUD requirements. Other programs that funds could go to is the Downtown Façade Grant, Blue Springs Park basketball court replacement, and the replacement of sidewalks to meet ADA requirements. Committee Member Susan Stokenbury asked about senior services. Mr. Wright stated that if there was an organization that specifically focuses on low-income seniors there could be an opportunity to use CDBG funds as a public service. There were three (3) applications submitted for funding assistance. • Hope House - $12,240 • Community Services League - $25,000 • Downtown Alive - $25,000 CDBG Minutes – 07.14.2020 Page 2 of 4 kf  Chairperson Miller stated that there are dumpsters all along Oak Street and questioned whether the CDBG funds could be used to build an enclosure to help make the area look nicer. Mr. Wright stated that he would look into that. Committee Member Ellis questioned the clean up of the area around the railroad track behind the Police Department. Staff will look into this as well. Councilmember Kaylor asked about the Parks Maintenance Sales Tax. Mr. Wright stated that staff looked at the CIP and found that three parks were located in the designated low-income areas that were unfunded. Since it wasn’t funded by the sales tax and there was a need there that was unfilled, staff looked at it for CDBG funds. Councilmember Kaylor would like to see the Sales Tax overages go to the three parks and the CDBG funds go to sidewalks. Mr. Wright stated that the prior two or three program years there were substantial funds provided for sidewalks and the past year there were not. Staff tries to alternate funding between Parks and Public Works. Councilmember Kaylor stated that he would like to see more funds towards Parks beautification of the city. Mr. Wright stated that CDBG does not allow funds to be used for maintenance, such as mowing. It has to be a structural enhancement. Committee Member Keith Hannaman stated that there is a timeline of items to be improved through the Parks Maintenance Sales Tax, and hopefully in the future items such as beautification and maintenance can be addressed. Committee Member Susan Stokenbury stated that she would like to see more of the funds being invested in people, especially seniors. Mr. Wright stated that senior services falls under a public service and the City is limited on how much money they can give provide to a public service. The current program of approximately $260,000 limited the public services allocation to only 15%, which amounts to about $39,000. Mr. Wright added that the majority of the Minor Home Repair Program has been utilized by seniors. Committee Member Ellis asked about helping to fund OATS. Mr. Wright stated that the OATS falls under public service and the representative is included on CDBG announcements from the City but has never approached the City for funding. Ms. MaryAnne Metheny, Hope House, thanked the Committee for the grants that they had received in the past and informed the Committee that due to the grant funds Hope House was able to provide one on one counseling to folks that need it. The specific request was based on the units per hour the counselor is needed. Ms. Pam Buck, Downtown Alive, stated that she is the staff for the Downtown Alive group, it is a part time retirement job for Ms. Buck. Ms. Buck stated that Downtown Alive is looking at an entrainment downtown dining district that would provide jobs. Mr. Wright stated that CSL has been receiving about $25,000 annually through CDBG Funds which helps 200 + people a year, roughly about 70-80 households. The main intent of the funds is to help people from becoming homeless by eviction or by having their utilities turned off. Councilmember Culpepper stated CDBG Minutes – 07.14.2020 Page 3 of 4 kf  that CSL is now receiving meats, veggies and dairy products which they couldn’t provide before because of expiration dates and liabilities. HEARING CLOSED Chairperson Miller closed the public hearing at 6:37 p.m. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Wright stated that staff will take all the feedback and put together different funding proposals with more detail for each. The next meeting will be Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 6:00 pm in the Journagan Community Room located at 1100 SW Smith Street. Mr. Wright provided an update on the COVID-19 funds. He stated that staff is waiting on more guidance from HUD on the Small Business Loans and will hopefully have more information soon. Mr. Wright stated that if a business doesn’t quality, then staff will help them find another resource. MEETING ADJOURN With no further discussion, a motion was made by Committee Member Hannaman to adjourn at 7:41 p.m. Seconded by Committee Member Jason Ellis. _________________________ Respectfully Submitted by, Karen Findora, Recording Secretary ____________________________________ __________________________ Cindy Miller, Chairperson Date CDBG Minutes – 07.14.2020 Page 4 of 4 kf  Public Notice City of Blue Springs, Missouri Community Development Block Grant 2020-2021 CDBG Annual Action Plan The City of Blue Springs is beginning the process of developing the 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan. The Annual Action Plan will cover the period beginning October 1, 2020 and ending on September 30, 2021 and describes the specific activities that the City will undertake during the upcoming program year. Approved activities in the past include low- moderate income housing improvements, infrastructure improvements in low-moderate income areas, slum and blight removal, public services that benefit low-moderate income clientele or areas, and general administration costs. The purpose of this public notice is to notice the availability of Funding Assistance Request applications for public services and non-profits and to notice two public hearings that will be held by the CDBG Advisory Committee as part of the citizen participation process for the development of the 2020- 2021 CDBG Annual Action Plan. Applications for Funding Assistance Requests for public services and non-profits are now available on the City’s CDBG webpage at: www.bluespringsgov.com/CDBG. Applications are due by 5 PM, Thursday, July 9, 2020 to be included for consideration by the CDBG Advisory Committee. The CDBG Advisory Committee will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the Journagan Community Room in the Howard L. Brown Public Safety Building at 1100 SW Smith Street. The purpose of the public hearing is to review and prioritize potential activities for the Annual Action Plan. The CDBG Advisory Committee will hold a public hearing on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the Journagan Community Room in the Howard L. Brown Public Safety Building at 1100 SW Smith Street. The purpose of the public hearing is to finalize priorities and funding proposals for the Annual Action Plan. At the end of the second public hearing, the CDBG Advisory Committee will make a recommendation on the draft plan to the City Council and request the noticing of a 30-day public comment period to review and comment on the draft plan. A public notice will be published for the 30-day public comment period and the final public hearing to be held by the City Council. ALTERNATE HEARING LOCATION: If, on the date of the public hearing, the City is under continued public gathering and personal distancing restrictions, the public hearing will be held via teleconference. MEETING LOCATION AND PARTICIPATION INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED ONLINE AT www.bluespringsgov.com/AgendaCenter AND ON THE MEETING AGENDA. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION & COMMENT PROCEDURES: The public is encouraged to attend the public hearings or provide public comment in advance of the meeting, including organizations that provide assistance to low-moderate income residents and individuals who may be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, public housing agencies, residents of public and assisted housing developments, and low-moderate income residents. Written comments can be mailed to the City of Blue Springs (903 W. Main St., Blue Springs, MO 64015, Attn: CDBG) or emailed to mwright@bluespringsgov.com in advance of the meeting. All written comments must be received by Noon on the day of the hearing. Mailed and emailed comments should include “PUBLIC COMMENT: CDBG” in the subject line. The City shall consider the views of citizens, public agencies, and other interested parties in preparing drafts and final submissions and attach a summary of such comments as they relate to the Annual Action Plan. The Annual Action Plan will be submitted to HUD for their review and approval after final approval by the City Council. For more information, contact Matt Wright, Senior Planner at 816-220-4504 or mwright@bluespringsgov.com. Published in The Examiner: Saturday, June 27, 2020 Posted in the City Hall lobby (currently closed to the public): Friday, June 26, 2020 Posted on the City’s website: Friday, June 26, 2020 Notices were not posted at the following locations due to closure or limited access due to COVID- 19 restrictions: Vesper Hall, Mid-Continent Public Library – Blue Springs North branch, & Mid- Continent Public Library – Blue Springs South branch DATE: July 31, 2020 TO: CDBG Advisory Committee FROM: Matt Wright, Senior Planner SUBJECT: 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan The purpose of the August 6, 2020 CDBG Advisory Committee is to review the draft funding proposal and make a recommendation to the City Council on the draft funding proposal and projects/activities with the 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan. The Committee will also make a recommendation to proceed with the publication of the draft plan and a 30-day public review and comment period leading up to the final City Council public hearing. The meeting will build upon the discussion of potential activities discussed at the first public hearing, held on July 14, 2020. As a reminder, all projects and activities must meet one or more of the following approved goals from the 2017-2021 Consolidated Plan (there are also 4 additional local goals and 15 regional goals related to the 2016 Assessment of Fair Housing, which may also be met through a project or activity): 1. Reinvest in Downtown and Existing Neighborhoods 2. Provide Assistance for First Time Home Buyers 3. Support Public Services for Low-Moderate Income Persons and Areas 4. Support Affordable and Accessible Housing 5. Support Administration & Planning The City of Blue Springs has been allocated $268,985 for the 2020-21 program year. In addition to the 2020 allocation, there is also $92,970.12 from pre-2019 allocations that will need to be reallocated. Therefore, staff estimates that there will be approximately $361,955.12 to program for 2020-21. A map of the current Low-Moderate Income Census Block Groups has also been provided (changes became effective on April 1, 2019). These are areas where “Low/Moderate Area Benefit” activities may be approved. A map of the current Slum/Blight Area (MCRC Area) has also been provided. This area is where “Slum/Blight Area Benefit” activities may be approved. The following are activities for consideration for 2020-2021: Project National HUD Code Con Plan Minimum Funding Objective Goals Requested Minor Home Repair LMH 14A / 14F / #1, #4, #6, & $100,000 Program 14I #7 (20 grants) First Time Home Buyer LMH 13B #1, #2, #4, $36,000 Program #7, & #9 (12 grants) Fieldhouse Recreation LMC 05Z #3 $3,000 Scholarships Downtown Alive Support SBA 19C #1 $25,000 Commercial Façade Grant SBA 14E #1 $30,000 Program (3+ grants) Hope House Support LMC 05G #3 $12,240 Community Services LMC 05Q #3 $25,000 League Support Park Improvements LMA 03F #1 $120,000 Program Program Administration & 20 / 21A / #5 $10,715.12 Planning 21C / 21D / 21E 2019 Allocation: $268,985 Pre-2018 Re-Program: $92,970.12 Total Program: $361,955.12 CAPS: Category Maximum/Minimum Required Proposed Difference Administration $53,797.00 max. $10,715.12 -$43,081.88 Public Services $40,347.75 max. $40,240.00 -$107.75 LMI Benefit $245,868.00 min. $296,240.00 +$50,372 Slum/Blight Benefit $77,480.96 max. $55,000.00 -$22,480.96 Administration: 20% max. of allocation ($268,985) = $53,797.00 Public Services: 15% max. of allocation ($268,985) = $40,347.75 LMI Benefit: Min. 70% of total program ($361,955.12) minus administration = $245,868.00 Slum/Blight Benefit: Max. 30% of allocation minus administration ($252,001.49) = $77,480.96 National Objectives LMH = Low/Mod Housing Benefit Activities undertaken to provide or improve permanent residential structures that will be occupied by low/mod income households. LMA = Low/Mod Area Benefit Activities providing benefits that are available to all the residents of a particular area, at least 51% of whom are low/mod income. The service area of an LMA activity is identified by the grantee and need not coincide with Census tracts or other officially recognized boundaries (City has chosen to use 2019 ACS Census Block Groups to identify LMA service areas). Page 2 LMC = Low/Mod Limited Clientele Benefit Activities that benefit a limited clientele, at least 51% of whom are low/mod income. LMC activities provide benefits to a specific group or persons rather than to all the residents of a particular area. SBA = Slum/Blight Area Benefit Activities undertaken to prevent or eliminate slums or blight in a designated area (limited to MCRC area only). HUD Codes 03F: Parks & Recreation Facilities 05G: Services for Victims of Domestic Violence 05Q: Subsistence Payments 05Z: Other Public Services 13B: Homeownership Assistance, excluding counseling 14A: Rehabilitation: Single-Unit Residential 14E: Rehabilitation: Publicly or Privately-Owned Commercial/Industrial 14F: Energy Efficiency Improvements 14I: Lead-Based Paint Abatement 19C: Nonprofit Capacity Building 20: Planning 21A: General Program Administration 21C: Public Information 21D: Fair Housing Activities 21E: Submission of Application for Federal Programs Project Descriptions Minor Home Repair Program: The program is an eligible activity under the “Rehabilitation” category. The program has been funded annually since the 2008- 09 program year, with 136 projects being completed assisting 75+ low/mod income households with home repairs. The 2017-18 program year expanded the program to include ADA improvements (including ramps, guardrails, grab-bars, and safe ingress/egress features) and weatherization assistance (HVAC, furnace, and water heater replacements). The weatherization assistance has been especially popular. Staff reached the maximum number of applications in May 2019 near the end of the cut-off period and reached the maximum number of applications in March 2020, in advance of the cut-off period. Due to the continued popularity of the program coupled with the interest and need expressed in the months following the cut-off date, staff is recommending increasing the program with an additional 5 grants for the 2020-21 program year. As mentioned on the July 14th meeting, staff is also recommending reserving a percentage of the applications for active code violations, as well as to place repeat applicants on a waiting list to allow first-time applicants the opportunity to receive grants. Exceptions may be made Funding for 20 $5,000 grants ($100,000) is recommended for the 2020-21 program year. First Time Home Buyers Program: The program is an eligible activity under the “Homeownership Assistance” category. The program has been funded annually since 2009, assisting 113 low/mod households in purchasing their first Page 3  home in Blue Springs. The program was especially popular during the 2017-18 program year, but applications have slowed during subsequent program years. However, there has been an increase in interest in the program and staff recommends holding the number of applications steady. Funding for 12 $3,000 grants ($36,000) is recommended for the 2020-21 program year. Fieldhouse Recreation Scholarships: The activity is eligible under the “Public Services” category. This activity will allow low/mod income households to have recreational access to the Blue Springs Fieldhouse at a reduced rate based on income level. Proof of residency and income verification will be required. Funding of $3,000 is recommended for the 2020-21 program year. Downtown Alive: The activity is eligible under “CDBG Non-Profit Organization Capacity Building” as the mission of Downtown Alive is to carry out neighborhood revitalization and economic development activities. The activity has been funded annually since the 2012-13 program year. Downtown Alive brings together downtown merchants, property owners, residents, and partners (including the City, EDC, Chamber, and Historical Society) to strengthen the economic base of the downtown area and adjacent neighborhoods in central Blue Springs. Downtown Alive has requested $25,000 for administration costs. Funding of $25,000 is recommended for the 2020-21 program year. Commercial Façade Grant Program: The program is an eligible activity under the “Rehabilitation” category. This program has been funded in some capacity since 2011. The program may be applied to the rehabilitation of a building in the designated slum & blight area. The intent of the program is to encourage rehabilitation of vacant or underutilized structures to support economic development and job creation. Funding of $50,000 was approved for the 2018-19 program year but was unutilized. Funding of $30,000 was approved the 2019-20 program year, in which staff is currently reviewing one application. Funding of $30,000 is recommended for the 2020-21 program. Up to a $10,000 matching grant is proposed per building or storefront. Hope House Support: The activity is eligible under the “Public Service for Victims of Domestic Violence” category. The activity assists in covering the costs of three (3) weekly sessions of individual therapy, for an estimated 144 therapy sessions. Therapy sessions will be held in Blue Springs. Funding of $12,240 is recommended for the 2020- 21 program year. Community Services League: The activity is eligible under the “Subsistence Payments” category. The activity assists in covering the costs of rent and utilities to prevent homelessness, with a focus towards assisting families in locating long-term housing after temporary residency at extended stay hotels in Blue Springs. The Community Services League is responsible for maintaining records verifying how funds were Page 4  expended and ensuring that only qualifying low-moderate income households in Blue Springs are receiving assistance through the funds provided. Funding of $25,000 was approved for both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 program years, averaging to approximately $6,250 quarterly. During the first three quarters of the 2019-20 program year, funding has assisted 57 households (149 individuals) in subsistence payments for utilities and rent. CSL Has also received $23,258 in CDBG-CV funds to assist households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding of $25,000 is recommended for the 2020-21 program year. Park Improvements Program: The program is an eligible activity under the “Parks & Recreation Facilities” category. This program has been funded in the past and in the 2019-20 program year replaced the basketball court at Rotary Park. There is also need for the basketball court replacement at Blue Springs Park (SW 19th Street & SW South Avenue), which is in the Capital Improvement Program but unfunded (not funded by the current Parks Sales Tax). Blue Springs Park is located in a designated low-moderate income census block group. Funding of $120,000 is recommended for the 2020-21 program year to complete proposed park improvements at Blue Springs Park. Program Administration: The activity is eligible under the “Program Administration Costs” category. The program has been funded since 2010 (except for 2015-2016 program year). The activity assists in covering the costs of advertising, monitoring, reporting, and evaluating the CDBG program, and is capped at 20% of program funding. This activity can also be utilized to updated studies and surveys relevant to CDBG activities. Funding of $10,715.12 is recommended for the 2020-21 program year. Page 5 2020-2021 Low-Moderate Income Area - Census Block Groups IW 2020-2021 Slum & Blight Area 350 ft