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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Block Grant Commission - Minutes - 05/04/2020 CDBG COMMISION SPECIAL MEETING Monday May 4, 2020, 4:00pm Remote / Online via Zoom due to COVID-19 5 /4/2020 – MINUTES Page 1 1. CALL TO ORDER • 4:13PM called to order by Josh Johnson. 2. ROLL CALL • Board Members Present o Michael Kulisheck o Nick Verni- Lau o Serena Thomas o Olga Duvall o Josh Johnson o Steve Backsen o Sara Maranowicz o Pat Hastings • Staff Members Present o Adam Molzer, Staff Liaison, CDBG Commission – City of Fort Collins o Beth Rosen, Social Sustainability – City of Fort Collins o Dianne Tjalkens, Social Sustainability – City of Fort Collins o Sue Beck-Ferkiss, Social Sustainability – City of Fort Collins o Janet Freeman, Social Sustainability – City of Fort Collins o Hannah Tinklenberg, Social Sustainability – City of Fort Collins (Minutes) 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, audio recording resources are available by contacting the CDBG Commission staff liaison. 3. AGENDA REVIEW Josh Johnson read remote session instructions for the Community Development Block Grant Commission (“CDBG”) and public attendees. The Commission accepted the agenda without modification. DocuSign Envelope ID: D79ED8A1-DA09-4A50-A5FC-309702E649FA CDBG COMMISION REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING 5/4/2020 – MINUTES Page 2 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION • Heather Thurston – UC Health • Joan LaBelle • Lauren Leary • Annalise Mecham • Annette Zacharias – Family Housing Network • Doug Snyder No public comments. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Josh Johnson motioned to approve the March 11th, 2020 regular meeting minutes as presented, Olga Duvall seconds the motion – unanimously approved. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS • None. 7. NEW BUSINESS Adam Molzer began by reiterating that the goals of the evening will be a “high-level,” collaborative discussion to review 51 funding applications for affordable housing and human service programs, formulate a list of questions extracted from the applications, and refrain from providing funding recommendations. Finalization of funding recommendations has to be complete by end of next week to meet HUD requirements. The Affordable Housing Board (“AHB”) is meeting on Thursday to conduct their rankings. The CDBG Committee will receive the AHB rankings on Friday along with applicant responses to the follow-up questions identified from this evening. a. Preliminary Review and Discussion of Affordable Housing Proposals for Funding through the Competitive Grant Process HO-1: CARE Housing Sara Maranowicz is a CARE Housing board member. While no true conflict of interest, she will abstain from the conversation. Michael Kulisheck sought clarification on the acquisition of the property between Housing Catalyst and CARE Housing. Beth Rosen shared that currently the 80- unit property has dual ownership by both CARE Housing (1/2) and Housing Catalyst (1/2). This request is to cover the cost of the acquisition of the Housing Catalyst stock. DocuSign Envelope ID: D79ED8A1-DA09-4A50-A5FC-309702E649FA CDBG COMMISION REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING 5/4/2020 – MINUTES Page 3 HO-2: Habitat for Humanity No questions for this applicant. HO-3: Loveland Housing Corp Josh Johnson asked how LHIP audits that these funds are used within City limits. Beth Rosen said reimbursements are submitted on a per address basis and City staff verifies the property is eligible within City limits. Sara Maranowicz requested clarification how this home improvement fund differs from other loan funds provided by the City (particularly for mobile home communities) and if applicant has applied before. From Beth Rosen’s knowledge, no current loan funds in the City, maybe some grants in Neighborhood Services targeted towards mobile home parks. This request includes emergency assistance for residents who own a mobile home. The goal of this proposal is to allow people to age in place and maintain their homeownership. They applied in 2016 and are currently drawing down the final funds from their last grant. Olga Duvall asked how Fort Collins residents know that this program is available to them. Beth Rosen shares program flyer annually with residents who have received down payment assistance through the City. LHIP also some outreach but can’t speak specifically to their efforts. • Grant maximum is $1,000 – is that one-grant per year or over a lifetime period? HO-4: Mercy Housing Serena Thomas asked if this is in a metro district. Yes. HO-5: Neighbor to Neighbor Michael Kulisheck asked for clarification on the various levels of repairs / rehab provided in the application and are their requirements to do a specific level when relevant. Beth explained that her interpretation of the application is that the levels of repairs the applicant can do is determined by the amount of funding they receive. • There is not an existing fire sprinkler system in the units. Is this a mandatory requirement? DocuSign Envelope ID: D79ED8A1-DA09-4A50-A5FC-309702E649FA CDBG COMMISION REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING 5/4/2020 – MINUTES Page 4 HO-6: Volunteers of America Josh shared that this project was approved for funding last year. The project has been delayed and as a result has incurred an increase in costs. He asked what would happen if the project doesn’t receive CHFA funds again – what happens to the funds from last year and if they are awarded additional funds. Beth Rosen will know by June whether the project has received tax credit funds. If the project doesn’t move forward these excess funds will go into next year’s competitive process. Applicant could reapply next year. Available funds for affordable housing proposals is roughly $2.5 million dollars. Sara Maranowicz asked if given the current economic realities, does Beth anticipate any changes in the competitiveness of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC ) applications. Beth has noticed locally greater competition for the City’s private activity bond allocation. These are already very competitive and it’s difficult to forecast if this could be any more competitive. Beth Rosen sent a poll out to the six applicants to see if COVID-19 has disrupted their planning and timelines. All applicants responded that they are trying to keep their projects on schedule as housing development will be a critical component of recovery. Sue Beck-Ferkiss was asked to share details about the process for AHB ranking and the values that board brings to the discussion. The AHB ranks the applications in order of preference, number one is the most impactful. They are guided by the AH strategic plan and provides criteria for their analysis. The CDBG commission will receive these rankings along with discussion items that influenced their decisions and are helpful for CDBG to know. On Thursday, the AHB will also look at requests for private activity bonds. Housing proposal discussion concluded at 4:50PM. b. Preliminary Review and Discussion of Human Services Proposals for Funding through the Competitive Grant Process Steven Backsen requested clarification regarding the additional funding received through the CARES Act for emergency response funding and if there would be any overlap that these funds have with the current competitive process. Adam explained that emergency response funding recommendations will be made internally given the need to prioritize based on community needs. Beth Rosen shared that these funds will be utilized within the current fiscal through September 30, 2020. The division of this emergency response funding will be divided in three buckets 1). City expenses related to COVID-19 not DocuSign Envelope ID: D79ED8A1-DA09-4A50-A5FC-309702E649FA CDBG COMMISION REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING 5/4/2020 – MINUTES Page 5 covered by FEMA 2). Reassigning FY19 competitive process grants and 3). Nonprofit emergency response funding as a result of COVID-19. Funding allocation for each bucket has not been determined yet. HS-1: A Little Help • In the first 2 years, you have served 85 adults, 783 services. How did you calculate that you will be serving 150 adults the next year? • Please confirm that $180k budget and 150 clients served are only for Fort Collins and are not reflective of entire Northern Colorado programming. • Please provide total # of clients served in Fort Collins in each of the past three years: 2018, 2019 and projected 2020. (If other than 150.) HS-2: Alliance for Suicide Prevention • Clarify: are you asking for 100% funding for this program? HS-4: Boys and Girls Clubs No questions for this applicant. HS-5: CASA of Larimer County – Court Appointed Advocates No questions for this applicant. HS-6: CASA of Larimer County – Harmony House • How many families (number, as well as percentage) took advantage and completed NPP last year during pilot? • Clarify budget details – asked for $49,031; mentioned $12, 375 carry over and $2, 366 anticipated funds…but that = 34, 290 vs 34, 163 in the budget spreadsheet. HS-7: Catholic Charities – Senior Services No questions for this applicant. HS-8: Catholic Charities – Mission Shelter Serena Thomas sought feedback regarding the $400K deficit for the regional shelter that is covered by the Denver office. Nick Verni- Lau shared his perspective that the demand for shelter, respite beds, and need for additional services has exceeded the funding available. It’s not typical for a shelter to run at a deficit like that but is a result DocuSign Envelope ID: D79ED8A1-DA09-4A50-A5FC-309702E649FA CDBG COMMISION REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING 5/4/2020 – MINUTES Page 6 given the extreme environment and capacity needs offered at the shelter, and limited resources for staffing. Sara Maranowicz shared that based on her observation from their financials that there is large amount of administrative overhead and an expectation from the Denver office for more local fundraising. Nick Verni- Lau requested clarification on the City’s guidelines on funding faith- based organizations. Dianne Tjalkens stated that funding to faith-based organizations is allowed as long as they not practice any discriminatory or proselytizing practices in how they do business. Catholic Charities is in compliance as they will serve anyone that needs their services, regardless of their religious affiliation. HS-9: Center for Family Outreach A couple committee members asked for clarification that the request is to fund a temporary position until the mental health center opens. HS-10: Children's Speech & Reading Center Josh Johnson requested clarification to applicant’s response to the application question to receive federal funding. Adam Molzer clarified question helps City staff determine which applications are eligible under the HUD guidelines. HS-11: ChildSafe Colorado No questions for this applicant. HS-12: HS-12: Colorado Health Network – NCAP\ Serena Thomas asked for clarification on the budget and if the $1.1 million budget was specific to the food program or the overall budget. Sara Maranowicz recommends reviewing the funding uses and expenses on the budget narrative for specific details. Olga Duvall commented that this request seemed out of alignment with City priorities as there are multiple other sources of funding available for food pantries. Sara Maranowicz highlighted that increased access to healthy food seems like a clear, strong articulation to the City’s strategic plan to address food insecurities (but agrees that there are other funding resources related to food support). Serena Thomas also commented that the need to have the food available where individuals are receiving other services is important. Committee took a break from 5:30 – 5:40PM. DocuSign Envelope ID: D79ED8A1-DA09-4A50-A5FC-309702E649FA CDBG COMMISION REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING 5/4/2020 – MINUTES Page 7 HS-13: Crossroads Safehouse Committee members requested clarification on potential changes from the original application for salaries and recent updates from the applicant mentioned they plan to use funding to finish a mitigation that would open up additional shelter rooms. City staff will seek clarification on whether changes from original request is permissible and if so, members would like to see occupancy info both before and after the water damage. • In answer to “Does the current pandemic change your original proposal? • Are they asking to change their January proposal to now fund mitigation project? • If so, why didn’t choose to originally submit proposal for the mitigation project? HS-14: Disabled Resource Services Committee member shared concerns that there is duplication of services with Easterseals and Foothills Gateway, and if employment support for disabled adults is an increased need in the community. • Does the employment specialist possibly duplicate with program by EasterSeals? HS-15: Early Childhood Council of Larimer County Committee members requested clarification on the minimum grant and noted that people served vs. funding felt high. Discussion also included direct clients vs. indirect clients served. Adam Molzer clarified that applicants are instructed to provide direct number of program clients served in the application; in this case it is the teachers. • Firm number for minimum grant? HS-16: Easterseals Colorado • Is there overlapping services with Foothill Gateway or Disabled Resources Services? • Was there a need to expand to Ft. Collins? A waitlist? HS-17: Elderhaus Adult Day Program • Does Foothills Gateway also have a day program? DocuSign Envelope ID: D79ED8A1-DA09-4A50-A5FC-309702E649FA CDBG COMMISION REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING 5/4/2020 – MINUTES Page 8 HS-18: Ensight Skills Center • Important program significantly changing quality of life for clients. • Clarification on if $15,000 covers 100% of Fort Collins work. HS-19: Family Housing Network • Why need $1 million capital campaign? HS-20: Feeding Our Community Ourselves Committee members discussed clarification on the postponement / elimination of the project due to COVID-19. Although project implementation will likely be delayed for six months, applicant confirmed that this will not impact their ability to receive funding on the original schedule. Members also discussed applicant’s ability to measure impact given their program model. • Staff question - No budget details (funding sources) were provided. Is applicant expected to provide this information? • Please describe how the 300 clients served are evaluated as low income Fort Collins residents. HS-21: Food Bank for Larimer County No questions for this applicant. HS-22 & HS-23: Homeward Alliance No questions for this applicant. HS-24: Larimer County Partners • Break down the compensation of officers on 2018 990; the dollar amount totaling @$110k. Who does that apply to? HS-25: Light of the Rockies Christian Counseling Center Josh Johnson sought clarification that given this request is from a faith-based organization, how do they document that treatment isn’t being discriminated based on religion. Adam Molzer shared that the organization signs a contract with the City that specifically calls out that discrimination and proselytizing is not part of their services. Steve Backsen asked for clarification regarding whether services will continue due to COVID-19. Olga Duvall’s understanding is that services will continue virtually. DocuSign Envelope ID: D79ED8A1-DA09-4A50-A5FC-309702E649FA CDBG COMMISION REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING 5/4/2020 – MINUTES Page 9 • They are asking for 100% of budget. Why are other faith orgs not pitching in for the training, or the QPR sessions? • Please provide more details on what the funding request will cover. • Are services offered to clients who fall outside faith-based communities? Or per Nick: Is the training offered to anyone interested or do you need to be a member of a congregation? HS-26: Meals on Wheels for Fort Collins No questions for this applicant. HS-27: Neighbor to Neighbor – Homelessness Prevention Services • Provide breakdown of compensation of officers from 2017 990 for the amount listed of @$174k. HS-28: Neighbor to Neighbor – HomeShare • It is unclear how many participants in year one, or year 2. And how many completed till the end of lease. It appears very few responded to survey results. Maybe only 2? They claim 100% of those who responded were happy. But how many responded? • Only other funder is Nifty 50. We are the remaining 75%. Why no other funders? • How many NEW pairs will be matched during the grant term, for the $73,709 budget? • How many EXISTING pairs will be supported during the grant term? HS-29: Plan de Salud del Valle Josh Johnson requested clarification on the need for funding from this organization. Sara Maranowicz shared some background knowledge community health centers have been financially impacted due to recent changes in federal funding/medicare enrollment. COVID-19 has caused additional increased expenses related to shifting to telecare visits and these are not covered by state / federal funding. Funding is a need seen at community health center across other communities. • Is $50k minimum a firm number? • Please explain current compensation listed on 990 – provide a breakdown. • Are you applying for funds in the other communities you serve? DocuSign Envelope ID: D79ED8A1-DA09-4A50-A5FC-309702E649FA CDBG COMMISION REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING 5/4/2020 – MINUTES Page 10 HS-30: Project Self-Sufficiency • Are looking to expand to Weld. Want to hire advisers to be on site at new partners - this may not be needed now in light of online classes. Also, they asked for 35k and said that was the least they would take. So if we can only award 80% of that, should we give them 0? • Please clarify unduplicated Fort Collins residents served during the request • Clarify how many single parents you typically serve each year from Fort Collins • Clarify the number of Fort Collins graduates each year • Clarify the # or % of graduates who were not employed and their wages • Is the $35k minimum a firm number? HS-31: Respite Care • On your 2018 990, you list $429,584 in investment income. Where did that come from? HS-32: Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center No questions for this applicant. HS-33: Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center Prevention Education Pat Hastings requested information on how applicant determines the low-income breakdown. Serena Thomas mentioned that they go by school FRL numbers. • What is the difference between their programs in PSD and what Voices Carry does in the schools? • How are these AMI numbers reached? It seems most of the programming is intended for all youth in Fort Collins schools. HS-34: SummitStone Health Partners - Community Behavioral Health Treatment Program (CBHT) • Breakdown of $774,329 for current officers listed on 2017 990. Is funding from the city really needed? • On your 2017 990, compensation of current officers for @$700,000 – please provide breakdown. HS-35: SummitStone Health Partners – Services at Murphy Center No questions for this applicant. DocuSign Envelope ID: D79ED8A1-DA09-4A50-A5FC-309702E649FA CDBG COMMISION REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING 5/4/2020 – MINUTES Page 11 HS-36: Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center • Please provide the total # of scholarships provided to FoCo residents, not just scholarships funded via City grant support. HS-37: The Family Center / La Familia No questions for this applicant. HS-38: The Matthews House • Please provide an updated list of partners. HS-39: The Salvation Army • Are asking for 20k of the 50k budget. Only other sources are Red Kettle and individual contributions (25K). No other agency support? No grants, events? HS-40: Turning Point • Is what’s listed the true composition of your Board of Directors? HS-41: UCHealth Northern Colorado Foundation Olga Duvall expressed concern that applicant is not tapping into other sources of funding for grants and believes the City of Fort Collins is not the appropriate source of funding. Nick Verni-Lau agreed that there are other sources of funding available to applicant. Sara Maranowicz commented that despite best efforts of many organizations to support food insecurity, there are still real barriers for people to access to food so having a food pantry that is geographically located and in a trusted place (like a doctors office) is important to consider when thinking about funding. Serena commented that there is potential for applicant to use volunteer manpower to lower costs instead of utilizing staff to deliver food. Adam believes that applicant does use volunteers, but not sure to what extent. • $18000 minimum grant - Question 5 indicates $15,000 minimum for Fed requirements. Expenses - What is 581,080 for system overhead allocation? • Other food pantry grants available. Many other food pantry resources available in community. Minimum grant amount willing to accept $18000 • Why is $18,000 the minimum? This is to buy food. • Please explain $581,030 for system overhead allocation. What does that mean? DocuSign Envelope ID: D79ED8A1-DA09-4A50-A5FC-309702E649FA CDBG COMMISION REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING 5/4/2020 – MINUTES Page 12 • Please clarify your volunteer program – in terms of balance of volunteering to staffing. HS-42: United Way of Larimer County Committee members requested clarification on the need of program staffing related to call volume. Adam Molzer shared details about how the program operates statewide and locally. • On your 2018 990, please provide a breakdown of compensation of officers. • How do you judge yourself as a thermometer or voice of needs within the region? • What percentage of total call volume is from Larimer County? • Is the liaison dedicated solely to Larimer County? • Are the staff fielding the calls dedicated solely to Larimer County? HS-43: United Way of Weld County • Please provide a breakdown of $208,584 compensation of current officers listed on 2018 990 HS-44: Voices Carry CAC • One of their Board objectives is to expand in geographic reach and content scope. To where, and why? HS-45: Volunteers of America – Handyman Program No questions for this applicant. HS-46: Volunteers of America – Meals Delivery No questions for this applicant. Human Service proposal discussion concluded at 7:03PM. 8. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS • None. 9. OTHER BUSINESS • Adam Molzer reviewed the timeline of next steps for deliberation. • Adam shared there is uncertainty with City revenue projections and how that may impact the competitive process. Internal agreements are to move forward with the current approved budget. Commission members will be asked to vote DocuSign Envelope ID: D79ED8A1-DA09-4A50-A5FC-309702E649FA CDBG COMMISION REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING 5/4/2020 – MINUTES Page 13 for utilizing a scaling method based on future revenues that are actualized and potential for staff to revise contracts, should the revenue not be available. More specifics to come. 10. NEXT MEETING • Funding Deliberation Special Meeting – Affordable Housing O Wednesday, May 13, 2020 | 4:00pm | Remote / Online via Zoom 11. ADJOURNMENT 7:10pm meeting adjourned by Josh Johnson. EXPLAINATION OF WHY NEW BUSINESS ITEMS ARE REQUIRED TO BE CONSIDERED AT THIS SPECIAL MEETING CONVENED ON ZOOM: The grant evaluation process conducted by the CDBG Commission occurs each spring and includes funding recommendations for the City's use of federal HUD dollars to support affordable housing projects and human services programs. HUD has a firm deadline in mid-August that must be met. Working back from the mid-August HUD deadline, we arrive at dates in mid-May for the latest possible meeting options for the CDBG Commission to conduct their business. This timeline is dictated by public review period and publishing requirements, City Council summer meeting dates, Agenda Item Summary submission deadlines, and the necessary time required for staff to assemble and disseminate the funding recommendation information. Minutes were finalized and approved by the CDBG Commission on ____________________ City of Fort Collins Staff Liaison: ____________________________________________ Adam Molzer DocuSign Envelope ID: D79ED8A1-DA09-4A50-A5FC-309702E649FA May 13, 2020