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CITY OF FORT COLLINS
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
Meeting Minutes
December 14, 2000
Phil Majerus, Chair
Alfred Flores, Vice Chair
Bill Bertschy, City Council Liaison
The meeting of the Community Development Block Grant Commission was
called to order by Chairman Phil Majerus, beginning at 6:14 p.m., at Lindens,
214 Linden Street, Fort Collins, Colorado. Board members present included:
Chairman Phil Majerus, Vice Chair Alfred Flores, Linda Coxen, Vi Guthrie, Brett
Hill, Tia Molander, Jennifer Molock, Dennis Vandenheiden, and Cheryl Zimlich.
Staff present: Ken Waido, Jackie Davis, Maurice Head, Julie Smith, and Stacey
Kelly. Bill Bertschy, City Council liaison, was present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Mr. Flores, seconded by Ms. Guthrie: To approve the minutes of
October 5, 2000. Motion approved unanimously.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY — REQUEST FOR EXTENSION
Ms. Davis gave the background for this matter. The project is nearly completed
and may fall within the required time in any event; the extension is requested out
of an abundance of caution.
Moved by Ms. Zimlich, seconded by Mr. Flores: To approve the requested
extension to February 28, 2001. Motion approved unanimously.
CSU HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
The Commission asked for an in-depth analysis by the staff. The lot is
constrained by two easements; one water, one power. The overhead power line
travels over the subject house. The foundation is installed and the first floor
framed. WAPA, the power authority, has stopped construction on the project due
to the overhead line. The configuration of the property does not match the plans
in terms of property lines and easements.
The successful applicant for this house will receive a house in the Waterglen
subdivision. The subject house will be disassembled and moved to Waterglen.
The CSU group originally involved has graduated, moved on, and another group
is inheriting this situation. Speculative discussion was held on whether the
Community DevelopmeAck Grant Commission •
Meeting of December 9, 1999
Page 2
problem could or should have been rectified before this point. The applicant is
requesting transfer of the permit from the present lot to a Waterglen lot.
The Commission reviewed the applicant's request for extension, noting that no
specific time was applied for and the situation is fraught with uncertainty. The
affiliated Habitat chapter that will inherit the project can apply for an extension.
Moved by Ms. Coxen, seconded by Mr. Flores: To transfer the project
funding and contract to Fort Collins Habitat; and to consider the requested
extension at a later time. Motion approved unanimously.
FOOD BANK OF LARIMER COUNTY
Ms. Davis noted that the Food Bank should have had the project reviewed by the
city's project manager. Due to the absence of this, costs were underestimated.
The applicant is looking for contingency funds
Moved by Ms. Coxen, seconded by Mr. Majerus: To deny the request.
This applicant has been through the CDBG process numerous times and is
familiar with program regulations and constraints. The applicant serves an
important community function but needs to take fiscal responsibility for its plans
and actions. The Commission questioned what other help has been requested
and the fiscal responsibility the applicant can assume. Contingency funds do not
exist within the CDBG program in the present funding cycle.
The applicant has a successful record of use of funding. However, it has been a
perennial applicant rather than leveraging CDBG funding for ongoing items.
Discussion was held concerning the items that were chosen for approval in the
last funding cycle.
Motion failed 2-7.
Moved by Ms. Coxen, seconded by Ms. Guthrie: To request the applicant
to seek alternative funding for the balance requested for the two noted
projects; further, to maintain fiscal responsibility in obtaining funds for the
additional project. Motion withdrawn with consent of the second.
The history of the application was reviewed. Commission members were not
comfortable with the applicant's description of the scaling down of the approved
project. The option of withholding funds from the project for reprogramming was
Community DevelopmeAck Grant Commission •
Meeting of December 9, 1999
Page 3
discussed in light of the Commission's discomfiture with the applicant's
procedures.
Moved by Ms. Coxen, seconded by Ms. Zimlich: To withdraw funding to
the Larimer County Food Bank down to $12,660, with those funds to be
used for replacement of the cooler floor.
Discomfort was expressed with withdrawing already -approved funding.
Distinction was made between health and efficiency issues. The Commission
was generally unimpressed with the lack of foresight, taking responsibility, and
absence of alternative funding. Mr. Majerus gave a detailed explanation of the
dock leveler request.
Motion approved 6-2, with one abstention.
The Commission recessed the meeting for dinner.
DEBRIEFING OF FALL COMPETITIVE CYCLE AND DISCUSSION ON
SPRING COMPETITIVE CYCLE (CDBG)
Mr. Waido reviewed the proceedings of the last year and solicited comments
from the Commission about their perceptions of the process.
Comments heard: More opportunity is presented for worthwhile projects that
would normally not be heard mid -cycle on a yearly basis. The procedures
makes the process more user-friendly in order to be able to finalize projects.
Under the semiannual process, the program becomes more available for
applicants. Concern was expressed that funding -hungry projects will apply more
frequently, given the opportunity. The workload is theoretically doubled, but the
meetings themselves are shorter.
Staff has noted that the applicant presentations seem to be constrained under
the 10-minute Q&A session and proposed a 15-minute session. An idea was
presented of having an applicant conclusion following the Q&A session. The
interview sessions for the cycle that includes public service, facilities, and
housing will remain a two -night session.
Mr. Waido reviewed the changes to the application form. The divisions regarding
evaluation of AM[ levels have been made simpler. Public facilities will expressly
require city project manager review. Applicants will be required to enter a
minimum acceptable amount, and Staff would discourage recommending funding
below that level.
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Meeting of December 9, 1999
Page 4
Mr. Waido reported the results at the Affordable Housing Board session. Some
differences in goals, philosophies, and mandates exist between the two entities;
however, the information presented by the Board in the last funding cycle was
instrumental in generating informed questions from the Commission. The
Northern Hotel and land banking represented the two clear differences in final
opinions. Mr. Waido requested Mr. Majerus and Mr. Flores to meet with the Chair
and Vice Chair of the Affordable Housing Board. Discussion was held over a
combative e-mail received by Commission members. Mr. Bertschy noted the
formation of a wattage review team to address concerns that have been raised
about the Northern.
Mr. Waido has observed a certain level of frustration on the part of the Affordable
Housing Board in its recommendations to the Council over the years. Mr.
Bertschy noted the affordable housing policy that was primarily generated by the
Board and was ultimately adopted by Council. The Commission affirmed the
work done, information given, directions suggested, and recommendations
advanced by the Board. That interaction has been an invaluable tool for the
Commission. Mr. Bertschy recommended, with Commission approbation, that he
and Mr. Wanner also attend the future meeting between the chairs and vice
chairs of the two groups.
It was finally noted the differences in the charges to the two boards. CDBG has a
much broader mission that carries it outside of housing alone and applies as well
to economic development and other issues. The Affordable Housing Board in
the past has had narrowly focused advocates within certain affordable housing
issues, and the Board will likely become more generalized with new
appointments. New Board members will begin in January. Past liaison meetings
were reviewed and the helpful interchange of viewpoints and goals.
Mr. Majerus asked for a spreadsheet presentation of application scoring with
room for evolving changes. Other requests were made concerning the score
sheet; Mr. Waido noted that the requests fairly mirrored the actual sheet that was
presented in the last application round. Difficulties were noted with the weighting
of leverage points, particularly with the not -for -profits, and items such as
overhead expenses and factoring in volunteer labor. Dissatisfaction was
expressed with applicants that apply for full funding as opposed to using CDBG
appropriations for seed money.
Mr. Bertschy recommended, for future Council study sessions, to spread
specializations out among various Commission members rather than using the
Chair and Vice Chair as central spokespersons. This would also distribute the
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Meeting of December 9, 1999
Page 5
burden of research. It was emphasized that Commission members who
volunteer to present should then actually attend the scheduled session.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Mr. Waido noted the new Code provisions on conflict of interest. Staff will need
to have a form at every meeting for any questions or statements of conflict of
interest by a Commission member. An Ethics Review Board can review the
matter with the affected Commission member and issue guidance. The form is
for Commission members' protection from potential liability. It is particularly
applicable to boards and commissions that recommend funding. The form will be
mailed to Commission members.
OTHER BUSINESS
City boards and commissions have changed terms to January through
December. Officers will be elected in February and take office in March. Council
has presented more specific guidance on staff roles with boards and
commission.
Staff members extended its sincere gratitude to Commission members for their
hard work and devotion through the past year, particularly in light of the added
workload of a double funding cycle. Commission members complimented and
applauded staff for its excellent work.
Mr. Head noted that the consultant's Land Bank report has been completed. A
draft copy of conclusions can be sent to interested Commission members.
Upon motion, second, and unanimous approval, the meeting adjourned at 9:00
p.m.