HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Block Grant Commission - Minutes - 04/29/2021
CDBG COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
Thursday, April 29, 2021, 4:00pm
Remote / Online via Zoom due to COVID-19
4 /29/202 1 – MINUTES Page 1
1. CALL TO ORDER
• At 4:03 PM the meeting was called to order by Josh Johnson.
2. ROLL CALL
• Board Members Present
o Olga Duvall
o Steve Backsen
o Ethnie Treick
o Sara Maranowicz
o Mike Kulisheck
o Pat Hastings
o Nick Verni-Lau
o Sam Stoltz
o Josh Johnson, Chair
• Staff Members Present
o Adam Molzer, Staff Liaison, CDBG Commission – City of Fort Collins
o Beth Rosen, Social Sustainability – City of Fort Collins
o Sue Beck-Ferkiss, Social Sustainability – City of Fort Collins
o Kleena Brown, Social Sustainability – City of Fort Collins
o Victoria Shaw, Sustainability Services - City of Fort Collins
o Beth Sowder, Social Sustainability – City of Fort Collins
Due to the duration and extent of the housing and human services preliminary grant
review, the summary of the meeting reflected in the minutes below may not include all
details of the CDBG Commission’s discussion. For further information, details and insight,
video recording resources are available by contacting the CDBG Commission staff liaison.
3. AGENDA REVIEW
Mr. Johnson read remote session instructions for the Community Development Block
Grant Commission (“CDBG”) and public attendees. The Commission accepted the
agenda without modification.
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4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
• Buffy Trent Wolf
• Carly Johnson
• Carrie Olenick
• Denise Stetz
• Tim McLemore
• Jason Morgan
• John Singleton
• Lorye Mcleod
• Morgan Vanek
• Tatiana Zentner
• Tracy Mead
• Jenny Maeda
• Alex Koenigsberg
• Annette Zacharias
• Dave Swinehart
No public comments.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Josh Johnson motioned to approve the April 7th, 2021 meeting minutes as presented,
Sam Stoltz seconds the motion – unanimously approved.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
• None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Deliberations to Formulate Funding Recommendations – Affordable Housing
HO-1: Mercy Housing – Northfield Affordable
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $450,000. Seconded by Steve Backsen. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HO-2: Neighbor to Neighbor – Coachlight Plaza Rehabilitation
Motion by Steve Backsen to fund at $500,000. Seconded by Olga Duvall. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HO-3: Neighbor to Neighbor – Phase 1 Rehab of 44 Affordable Apartments
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Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $800,000. Seconded by Ethnie Treick. The motion passed
unanimously 9-0.
HO-4: Villages Ltd. / Housing Catalyst – Village on Bryan Renovation
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $950,000. Seconded by Sara Maranowicz. Motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
• Motion by Josh Johnson to approve the FY2021 Affordable Housing funding
recommendations. Seconded by Sara Maranowicz. Motion passed unanimously 9-0.
b. Deliberations to Formulate Funding Recommendations – Human Services
Adam Molzer provided a review of total funding requested ($1.94 million) and funding
available ($1.1 million). Adam reviewed the characteristics and the scorecard criteria and
ranking spreadsheet. He noted that funding recommendations will go before council in
June and grants will begin October 2021.
Victoria Shaw was introduced to provide an overview of score rankings. She noted that
score standard deviations were evaluated and that adjustment to scores was not
necessary. Five natural breaks were determined. Order is to begin at the top of the list
with each proposal open to further discussion. Funding recommendations will be made
with a first motion, second motion, and friendly amendments are permitted.
GREEN SCORE BAND: HS-23, 19, 18, 35, 6, 10
HS-23: Neighbor to Neighbor – Homelessness Prevention Services
Motion by Sam Stoltz to fund at $105,000. Seconded by Nick Verni-Lau. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-19: Homeward Alliance – Murphy Center Programs
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $30,000. Seconded by Steve Backsen. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-18: Homeward Alliance – Family Services Programs
Motion by Steve Backsen to fund at $30,000. Seconded by Nick Verni-Lau. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-35: The Family Center / La Familia
Motion by Mike Kulisheck to fund at $60,000. Seconded by Olga Duvall. Motion
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passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-6: Catholic Charities – Mission Shelter
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $60,000. Seconded by Ethnie Treick. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-10: Crossroads Safehouse – Advocacy Project
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $40,000. Seconded by Nick Verni-Lau. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
BLUE SCORE BAND: HS-16, 4, 14
HS-16: Food Bank for Larimer County
Motion by Pat Hastings to fund at $21,000. Seconded by Sam Stoltz. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-4: CASA of Larimer County – Harmony House
Motion by Steve Backsen to fund at $40,000. Seconded by Ethnie Trieck. The Motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-14: Family Housing Network
Motion by Sam Stoltz to fund at $28,000. Seconded by Nick Verni-Lau. Friendly
amendment by Olga Duval to fund at $30,000. Accepted by Sam Stoltz and Nick
Verni-Lau. Motion passed unanimously 9-0.
YELLOW SCORE BAND: HS-31, 3, 8, 33, 11, 5, 36, 27, 45, 42, 2, 28, 38, 25, 44,
32, 1, 22, 20, 30, 41, 12
HS-31: SummitStone Health Partners – Murphy Center
Motion by Ethnie Treick to fund at $20,000. Seconded by Sara Maranowicz. The
motion passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-3: CASA of Larimer County
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $40,000. Seconded by Ethnie Treick. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
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HS-8: ChildSafe Colorado – Child Abuse Treatment Program
Motion by Steve Backsen to fund at $35,000. Seconded by Olga Duvall. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-33: Teaching Tree – Childcare Scholarships
Motion by Mike Kulisheck to fund at $65,000. Seconded by Olga Duvall. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-11: Disabled Resource Services – Access to Independence
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $20,000. Seconded by Sam Stoltz. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-5: Catholic Charities – Senior Services
Motion by Steve Backsen to fund at $27,000. Seconded by Ethnie Treick. Friendly
amendment made by Sam Stoltz to fund at $26,000. Steve Backsen declined. The
motion passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-36: The Mathews House – Youth and Family Center
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $25,000. Seconded by Olga Duvall. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-27: Project Self-Sufficiency
Motion by Mike Kulisheck to fund at $25,000. Seconded by Sam Stoltz. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-45: Volunteers of America – Home Delivered Meal Service
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $25,000. Seconded by Nick Verni-Lau. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-42: United Way of Weld County
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $15,000. Seconded by Sara Maranowicz. Friendly
amendment made by Sam Stoltz to fund at $17,000. Olga Duvall and Sara
Maranowicz accepted. The motion passed unanimously 9-0.
Josh Johnson called for a twelve minute break. Called back to order by Josh Johnson
at 5:48 PM.
HS-2: Boys & Girls Club
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $40,000. Seconded by Mike Kulisheck. Friendly
amendment made by Steve Backsen to fund at $35,000. Josh Johnson and Mike
Kulisheck accepted. The motion passed 8-1. Opposed by Sam Stoltz.
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HS-28: Respite Care – Childcare Scholarships
Motion by Ethnie Treick to fund at $23,000. Seconded by Josh Johnson. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-38: The Salvation Army – Rent & Utility Assistance
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $10,000. Seconded by Ethnie Treick. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-25: Plan de Salud del Valle – Integrated Primary Care Services
Motion by Mike Kulisheck to fund at $50,000. Seconded by Sara Maranowicz. Friendly
amendment by Sam Stoltz to fund at $60,000. Mike Kulisheck and Sara Maranowicz
accepted. The motion passed 8-1. Opposed by Josh Johnson.
HS-44: Volunteers of America – Handyman Program
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $10,000. Seconded by Steve Backsen. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-32: SummitStone Health Partners – Community Behavioral Treatment
Motion by Ethnie Treick to fund at $15,000. Seconded by Sara Maranowicz. The
motion passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-1: A Little Help
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $20,000. Seconded by Steve Backsen. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-22: Meals on Wheels for Fort Collins
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $25,000. Seconded by Olga Duvall. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
Discussion: Adam Molzer clarified Meals on Wheels offers a fee for service option and
a subsidized option for income qualified clients.
HS-20: La Cocina – Groupito FAVITAS
Motion by Sam Stoltz to fund at $30,000. Seconded by Ethnie Treick. The motion
passed 7-2. Opposed by Olga Duvall and Steve Backsen.
HS-30: Sexual Assault Victim Advocate – Victim Services
Motion by Nick Verni-Lau to fund at $25,000. Seconded by Sam Stoltz. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
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HS-41: United Way of Larimer County – Childcare Scholarship Fund
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $22,000. Seconded by Sara Maranowicz. Friendly
amendment by Sam Stoltz to fund at $20,000. Josh Johnson and Sara Maranowicz
accepted. The motion passed 8-1. Opposed by Steve Backsen.
Discussion: The Commission expressed concern regarding an audit for United Way of
Larimer County where it was found that only 75% of expenses were on programing
and services; below the personal minimum threshold of 80% for a nonprofit of Sam
Stoltz.
Adam Molzer clarified that historically, money has not been declined by applicants if
minimum amount requested was not met. Additionally, CARES funding for this
program in 2020 was from Larimer County, not the City of Fort Collins.
HS-12: Elderhaus Adult Day Proram
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $30,000. Seconded by Steve Backsen. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
Adam Molzer provided an update of funds: remaining balance is $83,656.
ORANGE SCORE BAND: HS-43, 21,26, 40, 7,9
HS-43: Voices Carry CAC – Child Abuse Response Services
Motion by Ethnie Treick to fund at $10,000. Seconded by Nick Verni-Lau. Friendly
amendment by Sam Stoltz to fund at $18,000. Declined by Ethnie Treick. The motion
passed 6-2-1. Opposed by Mike Kulisheck and Sam Stoltz. Abstained by Pat Hastings.
HS-21: Larimer County Partners – Youth Mentoring
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $5,000. Seconded by Nick Verni-Lau. The motion
passed 8-1. Opposed by Steve Backsen.
Discussion: Program requesting a minimum grant of $7,500. Questions regarding
recipients who decline grant and what would happen to those funds.
Adam Molzer clarified discussions would probably begin with City Attorney.
Historically, recipients have not rejected grants.
Beth Rosen stated that there is an expectation that all funds are recommended by this
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board/commission. So unallocated funds would have to come back to the Commission
for reconsideration before being brought to the Council in June. Worst case: rejected
funds may be absorbed back and go towards the competitive process for next year.
Adam Molzer shared that organizations have declined to apply due to low grant
amounts. Beth Rosen noted that the Commission should use the same approach for
all applications on whether to honor minimum amount requested or not.
The Commission agreed to reconvene if necessary to redistribute rejected funds.
HS-26: Poudre School District – After 3 Programs for Title I Schools
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $25,000. Seconded by Mike Kulisheck. Friendly
amendment by Sam Stoltz to fund at $32,000. Accepted by Olga Duvall and Mike
Kulisheck. The motion passed 7-2. Opposed by Josh Johnson and Steve Backsen.
Adam Molzer provided an update of funds: remaining balance is approximately
$68,000 available, not including Olga’s current $25k recommendation. Concerns by
some Commission members on if City is right group to fund this program.
The Commission also noted that this is an important program to continue reducing cost
of childcare and allowing parents to continue to work.
HS-40: Turning Point – Crisis Intervention Services
Motion by Sam Stoltz to fund at $14,000. Seconded by Ethnie Treick. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-7: Children’s Speech & Reading Center – Speech-Language, Reading & Pre-
Literacy
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $5,000. Seconded by Sam Stoltz. The motion
passed unanimously 9-0.
HS-9: Colorado Health Network – Emergency Financial Assistance
Motion by Ethnie Treick to fund at $5,000. Seconded by Sam Stoltz. The motion failed
3-6. Opposed by Josh Johnson, Mike Kulisheck, Olga Duvall, Sara Maranowicz, Pat
Hastings, and Steve Backsen.
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $0. Seconded by Sara Maranowicz. Motion passed
6-3. Opposed by Nick Verni-Lau, Sam Stoltz, and Ethnie Treick.
Discussion: this program should distribute funds more broadly; however, it was noted
that it is good the program distributes to narrow underserving, unique, and hard to
engage population.
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The Commission noted that for the past several years, the organization was not able to
provide consistent reporting.
Adam Molzer clarified that the organization underspent grant awards in previous years
and currently not funded; more confident after change in leadership and discussions
with grant management team.
RED SCORE BAND: HS-15, 13, 37, 39, 34, 29, 17, 24
HS-15: Feeding Our Communities Ourselves – Community Meals
Motion by Sam Stoltz to fund at $5,000. Seconded by Nick Verni-Lau. The motion
failed 4-5. Opposed by Mike Kulisheck, Olga Duvall, Sara Maranowicz, Steve
Backsen, and Ethnie Treick.
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $0. Seconded by Olga Duvall. Motion passes 6-3.
Opposed by Nick Verni-Lau, Sam Stoltz, and Pat Hastings.
Discussion:
Unclear budget, unclear answers. Instituted during COVID pandemic: questioned if this
is necessary to invest in now that things are moving toward normal.
Commission recognized that they are entering the last grouping; take into
consideration that this is the group that scored the lowest.
Adam Molzer provided an update of funds: remaining balance is $17,656.
HS-13: Ensight Skills Center – Low Vision Rehabilitation Program
Motion by Steve Backsen to fund at $5,000. Seconded by Olga Duvall. The motion
passed 8-1. Opposed by Sara Maranowicz.
Program is significant for quality of life.
Adam Molzer provided an update of funds: remaining balance is $12,656.
HS-24: Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities – Social Isolation
Identification Program
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $0. Seconded by Ethnie Treick. The motion passed
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unanimously 9-0.
Discussion:
Great for possible preventive care. Should the City be source of funding if no metrics.
HS-17: Genesis Project Fort Collins
Motion by Sam Stoltz to fund at $0. Seconded by Steve Backsen. The motion passed
unanimously 9-0.
Discussion:
Duplication of services; no metrics provided to track efficiency.
HS-29: Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center – Prevention Programming
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $5,000. Seconded by Ethnie Treick. Friendly
amendment by Sam Stoltz to fund at $7,000. Declined by Josh Johnson. The motion
passed 7-2. Opposed by Sara Maranowicz and Sam Stoltz.
Great preventive model; no mention about equity. Surprised by low score
Adam Molzer provided an update of funds: remaining balance is $7,656
The Commission discussed how to proceed with remaining funds, focusing on scoring
model, and not taking away support from higher ranking projects to fund lower
projects.
HS-37: The Quarter Project – GEMS/GSAS/STEM Femmes Programs
Motion by Ethnie Treick to fund at $5,000. Seconded by Sam Stoltz. The motion
passed 5-4. Opposed by Josh Johnson, Mike Kulisheck, Sara Maranowicz, and Steve
Backsen.
HS-23: Neighbor to Neighbor – Homelessness Prevention Services
Motion by Josh Johnson to increase fund to $107,656. Seconded by Sara Maranowicz.
The motion passed 6-3. Opposed by Olga Duvall, Sam Stoltz, and Pat Hastings.
Discussion:
Some Commission members shared their belief that the remaining funds should be
allocated to one remaining critical project, and to potentially decrease amount from
other larger funded projects.
Other Commission members shared that funds should not be reduced from higher
ranking proposals to lower ranking proposals. Ranking reflects criteria that have been
set and assessed by The Commission.
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HS-39: The Vegetable Connection – Feeding the Families Prgoram
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $0. Seconded by Sara Maranowicz. The motion
passed 6-3. Opposed by Olga Duvall, Sam Stoltz, and Pat Hastings.
HS-34: The Center for Family Outreach – Family Intervention Program/Parenting
Navigating
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $0. Seconded by Mike Kulisheck. The motion failed
3-6. Opposed by Nick Verni-Lau, Olga Duvall, Sam Stoltz, Pat Hastings, Steve
Backsen, and Ethnie Treick.
Discussion:
Surprised at the low scoring for this program. This program has several preventative
services that help lower strain and costs of other projects.
The Commission discussed finding $5,000 from other programs to fund HS-34.
Sam Stoltz withdrew motion to decrease HS-5 from $27,000 to $26,000 in lieu of
discussion.
Commission members discussed possibly decrease funding from HS-5, HS-23, HS-12,
HS-25 or a combination of to allocate to HS-34.
Commission members reiterated overall aggregate scoring holds more weight.
HS-25: Plan de Salud del Valle – Integrated Primary Care Services
Motion by Sam Stoltz to decrease funding to $57,600. Seconded by Olga Duvall. The
motion failed 3-6. Opposed by Josh Johnson, Mike Kulisheck, Nick Verni-Lau, Sara
Maranowicz, Steve Backsen, and Ethnie Treick.
Adam Molzer clarified that there are 6 programs in the orange band.
Commission discussed evenly redistributing funds from the orange band to fund HS-
34. However, programs in the orange band were either at the $5,000 minimum or held
a considerably higher ranking.
HS-34: The Center for Family Outreach – Family Intervention Program/Parenting
Navigating
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $0. Seconded by Nick Verni-Lau. Motion passed 6-
1-2. Opposed by Sam Stoltz. Olga Duvall and Pat Hastings abstained.
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• Motion by Ethnie Treick to approve the FY2021 Human Service funding
recommendations. Seconded by Steve Backsen. Motion passed unanimously 9-0.
• Adam Molzer applauded the commission for work achieved in Housing and Human
Services in just over four hours. He further commended the Commission in honoring
the methodology set in place.
• Additionally, Adam Molzer thanked City staff and citizens for their participation.
• Josh Johnson echoed appreciation to the Commission for all the thought and effort
put into the process. Moreover, Josh Johnson lauded Adam Molzer’s leadership.
• Steve Backsen noted Fort Collins ranked low in comparison to other cities in terms of
funding per capita for Human Services. He asked Adam Molzer how the Commission
could support Adam in achieving more funding.
• Adam Molzer mentioned there will be opportunities for engagement with boards and
commissions as well as the public throughout the budgeting process.
• Additionally, Beth Rosen mentioned there will be additional funding opportunities
from federal programs through the next year.
8. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS
• None.
9. OTHER BUSINESS
• Mr. Molzer shared that a 360 review on the grant recommendation process will
be requested at the next regular meeting on May 12, 2021.
• As chair of the CDBG Committee, John Johnson will attend the City council
meeting for recommendations on June 1, 2021 at 6:00.
• Applicants will receive notification of recommendations to Council
10. NEXT MEETING
• Regular Meeting
• Wednesday, May 12, 2021
11. ADJOURNMENT
• Meeting adjourned by Mr. Johnson at 8:15 PM.
Minutes were finalized and approved by the CDBG Commission on ____________________
City of Fort Collins Staff Liaison: ____________________________________________
Adam Molzer
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May 12, 2021