Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Block Grant Commission - Minutes - 05/10/2018P 1 /4 CDBG – May 10, 2018 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 215 North Mason - Fort Collins, CO May 10, 2018 – 6:00 PM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Taylor Dunn – Chair Amy Dondale Olga Duvall Sara Maranowicz Serena Thomas – Co-Chair (Attended by phone) Margaret Long Steve Backsen COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Anita Basham Stacia Ryder STAFF PRESENT: Adam Molzer – Staff Liaison, CDBG At 6:03 PM the meeting was called to order by CDBG Chair Taylor Dunn. At the same time, Adam Molzer called Serena Robb and she was telephonically present (via speakerphone) for the meeting. I. PUBLIC COMMENT: There were no members of the public present; thus, the Community Development Block Grant Commission (“CDBG”) received no comments. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Led by Margaret Long (and after group discussion) the CDBG decided to amend the draft of the April 2018 minutes. The conclusion was to add a suggestion that additional resources (videotape and audio recording) of the prior month’s meeting are available for a direct review of the funding deliberations. Taylor Dunn made a motion to approve the April 2018 minutes as amended, seconded by Margaret Long. The motion passed unanimously. III. TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE BOARD/COMMISSION ENGAGEMENT: Steve Backsen apprised the CDBG of the current developments with the “Triple Bottom Line“ initiative in the “Social Sustainability” umbrella. Across the City of Fort Collins (“City”), (Social Sustainability Boards & Commissions; “Futures Committee” City Council, etc) an effort has developed to raise the quality of (inter-agency) communications and elevate City Boards and Commissions’ influence. Next Monday (May 14, 2018), the discussions commence. One theme Steve mentioned is an impression that some Boards and Commissions (City-wide) would welcome increased City direction and a stronger understanding of their advisory and/or guidance relationship with the City. Steve Backsen reported that Ginny Sawyer, Policy & Project Mgr., City of Fort Collins, in addressing these concerns, has proposed that each group answer the general question collectively, and to expect some electronic communications with specific questions re same. The primary inquiry is two-fold: 1. Does the CDBG feel listened to by the City and, 2. Is the purpose of your work clearly defined? A wide-ranging discussion ensued. P 2 /4 CDBG – May 10, 2018 Encompassing remarks made earlier in the year, the CDBG members dialogued concerning the major difference of the CDBG purpose and mission compared to other Boards and Commissions. The CBDG assemble for a particular purpose and for a specified funding task, both of which are intensely deadline driven. Adam Molzer added that these tasks are directly assigned, tangible and effective overall. There ensued a general discussion about the relationship with the CDBG and the City Council. Steve Backsen suggested inviting the City Council liaison to a particularly consequential meeting to refresh personal connections and establish an updated communicative channel. Some CDBG concern and consideration about the interplay politically because of “funding decisions” and potential for influence. Olga Duvall mentioned that (in her experience) discussion appears more productive and satisfactory without distraction or influence of outside explication. Margaret Long agrees with the inhibiting speech dialogue and agrees with Olga that the City Council agenda is crowded. Amy Dondale asked for clarification on the apparent convergence of the “Triple Bottom Line” effort and the “Futures” Committee. Steve Backsen suggested that the effort is in its seminal stages and the direction seems nebulous. It appears there has been a pivot, said Steve, toward a new focus and its not certain the current situation of “Triple Bottom Line” in light of the “Futures Committee” folding the effort into their mission. Adam Molzer iterated that the “Triple Bottom Line” was intended to facilitate effectiveness within and amongst the various Boards and Commissions. Olga Duvall mentioned a “tool” that has been formulated by the City to assist in issue analysis from a “Triple Bottom Line” viewpoint. Sara Maranowicz felt that the CDBG staff support is necessary to stay focused on the mission. Amy Dondale theorized that perhaps the role of City Council liaison could rotate. Steve Backsen, Olga Duvall and Serena Thomas attend the “Super Board” meeting that aggregates Board and Commission members from throughout the City of Fort Collins numerous divisions and departments. Serena Robb attended a “Women’s Commission” meeting where the theme of collaboration between Boards and Commissions emerged. Taylor Dunn condensed the discussion to register that a more formal protocol is probably necessary to assist in determining when (and how) City Council collaboration strengthens a particular discussion item. He continued by indicating that he’s reaching out to staff to facilitate collaboration amongst Boards and Commissions commonly purposed by mission or project overlap. Adam Molzer was tasked with summarizing the CDBG reflections to the initial questions and presenting a document to Ginny Sawyer. Steve Backsen said an informal “bullet point” memo would more than suffice touching on both positive elements and areas of potential improvement. IV. COMPETITIVE PROCESS UPDATES AND DEBRIEF: Adam Molzer conferred with some of the Directors of the organizations that received no funding such as the Salvation Army and Kids at Heart. He has an upcoming discussion scheduled with the Director for Partnership for Age Friendly Communities and NCAP. For City Council, Adam is working on the “Agenda Item Summary”. June 5th at 6:00 PM is a City Council meeting to examine CDBG yearly funding activities. Taylor Dunn said appearance was necessary to discuss and advocate the CDBG funding positions to City Council. Adam Molzer discussed that the Housing Catalyst allocated fund is likely to be augmented (approx. $800K) because leadership was able to achieve a favorable denouement to tap into the “Affordable Housing Capital Fund.” May 15th is the first City Council meeting to discuss specifics regarding (among other things) the nine (9) percent tax credit contingency and a three-year “stage” timeframe. Taylor Dunn inquired about the deliberation process for this allocation and Margaret Long added that this P 3 /4 CDBG – May 10, 2018 “Discretionary Pot” with tax credits is probably useful. She noted the increased urgency to implement homeless population solutions. Adam Molzer said the Final HUD numbers have been received and the (about $200K) additional funds were allocated proportionally among the various Housing projects. A $16K increase was allocated to six (6) federal Human Service projects. All of the revised amounts were included in the handouts for the evening. Taylor Dunn requested (for next year, 2019) that a report, which illustrates 2018 allocated funds before and after HUD final numbers, is included in the application materials. He believes this report will provide helpful analytic data points for next year’s allocation process. CDBG members should look out for an electronic questionnaire that will enable an analysis of potential process improvements. Adam Molzer segued to a high-level debrief, discussion and critique of the current funding and allocation process. Amy Dondale said she thought the initial review meeting (collaboration between CDBG members and the Affordable Housing Board) to formulate additional queries supplementing the applications was helpful, although doing so electronically worked well. It enabled the applicants to prepare thoughtful answers beforehand and present those answers during the presentation process. She thought it refined the progression of the presentations. Taylor Dunn agreed that formulating questions beforehand was a welcome improvement to the process. Addressing a technique issue, Taylor Dunn asked the CDBG members to examine modifications to the process for prioritizing applications. Margaret Long thought that the process should reflect a “balancing” instead of a “prioritizing” struggle. Taylor Dunn interjected the idea of a randomized list and thought that perhaps a focus on new verbiage for the process would suffice. Acknowledgement that this has been an ongoing struggle. Steve Backsen added that “transparency” is an important priority as well. Adam Molzer thought the ‘live’ process was helpful in this regard. Sara Maranowicz stated that the CDBG supports projects that primarily align with our commission’s guidelines and goals. Contributive to that effort, Steve Backsen said, was the “clustering” of applications by service area. Adam Molzer ended this dialogue by reminding the CDBG members that this on-going improvement process will continue electronically as well. V. WORK GROUP FOR GRANT PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS: Adam Molzer is creating an opportunity for a small work group to collaborate on a penetrating analysis of the entire process from updating the initial application to reviewing other procedures and protocol enacted by neighboring communities (Loveland, etc.). The work group’s goal is formulating “Best Practices” and measurement of satisfied and unsatisfied objectives. He believes that 2019 will continue the improvement process. Adam will send an electronic invitation to all. VI. STAFF REPORTS: Adam Molzer led a discussion about an invitation he received asking the CDBG Commission to potentially attending a fundraising luncheon. Taylor Dunn offered that “meeting” a group is distinguishable from attending an affair centered on financial support of the group. Taylor is concerned about the appropriateness of supporting a particular organization. Sara Maranowicz anticipates that any opportunity to learn about the groups is welcome. Adam noted that, for example, an “Open House” would be less disconcerting. Adam reported that Dorothy Farrel, DM, LCSW is a new Executive Director of SAVA (Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy Ctr.). P 4 /4 CDBG – May 10, 2018 There is a budgetary offer submitted for one-time funding for “Strategic Planning for Human Services.” Expert assistance in this high-priority item necessitates a funding to create the strategic plan. Another budgetary issue is maintaining the $100K that was approved for the Human Service Program fund in 2016, while also increasing funding for the Human Services Program fund. The local group of nonprofit leaders, “Directing Change”, has requested a budget offer increase of $400K, above the $100K. Adam is soliciting support from the CDBG members on both of the funding initiatives. Adam explained that $400K more funding will help “fill the funding gap” and the Social Sustainability Department’s budget priority during this process is the Human Services “Strategic Plan”. Jacqueline Kozak Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer – City Of Fort Collins, and Adam Molzer wholly support the Human Service Program funding request. Sara Maranowicz supports the concept if she can reconcile the prioritization. Taylor Dunn requested more clarity on the expenditures and parameters in a “strategic” type presentation. He’s leaning in support of the effort as well. Steve Backsen said Fort Collins should augment the funding overall and that the City has a lower percentage of funding allocated to these program types than other similar, local communities. Taylor Made a Motion that the Community Development Block Grant Commission support the “Directing Change – Budgeting for Outcomes” $400K proposal to increase the Human Services Program budget. Seconded by Margaret Long. The Vote Passed. Six (6) For; and One (1) opposed. VII. OTHER: Olga Duvall commented that throughout the “Budgeting for Outcomes” she appreciated adding her viewpoint to the discussion. She said there are several avenues (such as writing or commenting online) to express support, suggestions or observations. Steve Backsen offered that a person could easily contact a specific person to submit ideas. Olga followed up by saying that there appear to be two windows of opportunity (for presentation) on June 8th and September 28th for Board and Commission feedback contributions. Taylor Dunn cautions that the CDBG does not meet again before those dates. Historically, the CDBG meets again in the autumn. Taylor Dunn explained that there are two issues necessitating a motion. Besides the increased funding vote (supra), the CDBG must formally consider supporting funding for the “Strategic Plan”. Olga Duvall verified that a recommendation letter submitted by Taylor Dunn on behalf of the CDBG Commission could reflect CDBG support of two proposals. Olga Duvall Made a Motion that the Community Development Block Grant Commission support the Social Sustainability Department in funding the Human Services Strategic Plan. Seconded by Taylor Dunn. The Vote Passed Unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:43 PM.