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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Block Grant Commission - Minutes - 06/13/2013COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT COMMISSION FUNDING DELIBERATIONS 215 N. MASON ST., FORT COLLINS JUNE 13, 2013, 5:30 P.M. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Kay Rios, Chair Anita Basham Robert Browning Gordon Coombes Catherine Costlow Jamaal Curry Margaret Long Kristin Stephens COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Heidi Phelps; Sharon Thomas; Sue Beck-Ferkiss; Beth Rosen; Kellen Wittkop OTHERS PRESENT: A dozen citizens; Kate Jeracki, Note Taker The meeting was called to order by Chair Kay Rios at 6 p.m. The purpose of the meeting was to allocate funds requested during the 2013 Spring Cycle of the Competitive Process. The Commission deliberated one Economic Development request; six Housing requests; three Public Facility requests and 35 Public Service requests. The Commission received requests for $2,346,925 for ED/Housing/Public Facility funding; $744,358 was available to allocate. Public Service requests totaled $1,264,860, while $812,107 was available. Sharon Thomas opened the meeting with thanks to the Commission for its efforts during the unusually long process in this funding cycle. She asked any citizens with questions or concerns about the process or the decisions reached tonight to contact her before the Commission’s recommendations go before City Council on July 16. Chair Kay Rios recapped the process for deliberations and reminded the public that the Commission would not take comments tonight. 2 ED-1 CoFC: FOCO Cafe -- $80,000 requested Kristin Stephens moved zero funding for ED-1. Gordon Coombes seconded. Stephens said while a pay-what-you-wish café is a nice, novel idea, it doesn’t support housing opportunities. She hopes the Commission can look at it again in the future. Motion passed unanimously. No funding approved. HO-1 Asbury House: Housing Purchase -- $375,000 requested Anita Basham moved zero funding for HO-1. Kay Rios seconded. Basham said it was too early in the process to fund this program, since the applicant is not ready to purchase the property. Rios agreed. Motion passed unanimously. No funding approved. HO-2 CARE Housing: Provincetowne II -- $250,000 requested Bob Browning moved to fully fund HO-2; Gordon Coombes seconded. Browning said that this was longest ongoing project before the Commission and it was time to get it off the table. Coombes agreed. Motion passed unanimously. Full funding approved. HO-3 Habitat for Humanity: Cottages at Avondale -- $45,000 requested Anita Basham moved to fully fund HO-3. Gordon Coombes seconded. Basham said that this project offers nice units that meet the goals of the No. 2 priority of the city’s strategic plan. Coombes added that Habitat is a proven a successful program. Motion passed unanimously. Full funding approved. HO-4 Housing Catalyst (FCHA): Cunningham Corner Rehab -- $500,000 requested 3 Kay Rios moved zero funding for HO-4. Margaret Long seconded. Rios pointed out that this project can come back for funding in the fall cycle, while some others before the Commission tonight cannot. Long agreed. Kristin Stephens said the project is necessary and worth doing because the many units need to be fixed up so people can live there. Jamaal Curry suggested that at least partial funding would show a commitment to the project which could help with the project’s application for tax credits. Bob Browning said he could not support zero funding. Rios asked staff if zero funding would affect tax credit applications. Beth Rosen said that while she hasn’t asked about the specifics, this project has received $1 million over the last three funding cycles, and the cumulative impact is what is important. Motion failed on a 4-4 tie, with Gordon Coombes, Jamaal Curry, Margaret Long and Kay Rios in favor. Anita Basham, Bob Browning, Catherine Costlow, and Kristin Stephens were opposed. Bob Browning moved to partially fund HO-4 at $349,350. Kristin Stephens seconded. Browning said the large number of housing units that would be improved makes this a higher priority than some other projects, and the Commission has to fund housing first. Stephens agreed. Motion failed on a 3-5 vote, with Browning, Stephens and Gordon Coombes in favor. Anita Basham, Catherine Costlow, Jamaal Curry, Margaret Long and Kay Rios were opposed. Catherine Costlow moved to partially fund HO-4 at $49,358. Kay Rios seconded. Costlow said it was important to show some kind of commitment to this project. Bob Browning said he was not comfortable with the lower amount. Jamaal Curry said the Commission has already invested in the project in the past and this shows continued commitment. Motion passed 6-2, with Bob Browning and Kristen Stephens opposed. Partial funding of $49,358 approved. HO-5 JAG Properties: Property Purchase -- $100,000 requested Bob Browning moved to fully fund HO-5. Margaret Long seconded. Browning said the project was ready to go, and people need this sort of facility, which also provides skills training. Long agreed. Motion passed unanimously. Full funding approved. 4 HO-6 Neighbor to Neighbor: Energy Efficiency Projects -- $221,925 requested Anita Basham moved zero funding for HO-6. Bob Browning seconded. Basham said while Neighbor to Neighbor is really focused on housing, this money is for energy upgrades, and the Affordable Housing Board placed it at the bottom of its list of priorities. Browning agreed, pointing out that the payback on the investment would not happen for about 10 years and the Commission has higher priorities to fund. Motion passed unanimously. No funding approved. PF-1 Asbury House: Facility Purchase -- $375,000 requested Kay Rios moved zero funding for PF-1. Gordon Coombes seconded. Rios said this is not a statement about the program, but that the project is still in the conceptual stage with a long way to go. With limited money, she would not want to fund such a new program at the expense of other programs. Coombes and Anita Basham both agreed. Motion passed unanimously. No funding approved. PF-2 Elderhaus: Property Purchase -- $300,000 requested Margaret Long moved to fully fund PF-2. Kay Rios seconded. Long said this project addresses the needs of a demographic at risk, seniors facing cognitive difficulties. Such facilities are hard to find a site for, but can help maintain seniors in their homes by assisting families with care. Rios agreed. Bob Browning said the property will not be used for housing, so he cannot support the request. He would prefer to use the money to support HO-4. Motion passed 4-3, with Jamaal Curry abstaining and Anita Basham, Catherine Costlow, Margaret Long and Kay Rios in favor. Bob Browning, Gordon Coombs and Kristin Stephens were opposed. Full funding approved. PF-3 SAVA Capital Campaign -- $100,000 requested Bob Browning moved zero funding for PF-3. Kay Rios seconded. Browning said this was not a housing project, and he does not want to take funding away from housing for it. He noted that SAVA received $175,000 in the last funding cycle. Rios agreed. 5 Motion passed 4-3, with Jamaal Curry abstaining, Browning, Rios, Anita Basham and Gordon Coombes in support. Catherine Costlow, Margaret Long and Kristin Stephens were opposed No funding approved. Staff updated the draft Funding Matrix to reflect the CDBG Commission’s decisions. Jamaal Curry moved that the Commission approve the final Funding Matrix for Economic Development, Housing and Public Facility funds as presented. Anita Basham seconded. Motion passed 6-2, with Bob Browning and Kristin Stephens opposed. Commission took a 10-minute break at 7 p.m., and then continued consideration of requests for Public Service Program funding. After the first round of deliberations, and some initial additional cuts, the Commission needed to cut an additional $32,441 from its preliminary allocations. PS-1 Alliance for Suicide Prevention: Education and Awareness Program -- $4,200 requested Bob Browning moved to fully fund PS-1. Jamaal Curry seconded. Browning said this program has a lot of reach for a small amount of money, and addresses a growing problem. Curry agreed. Motion passed unanimously. Full funding approved. PS-2 B.A.S.E. Camp: Childcare Scholarships -- $60,000 requested Jamaal Curry moved to fully fund PS-2. Kay Rios seconded. Curry said this is a long- term program with a successful track record that provides year-round child care that helps sustain families when the kids are not in school and the parents have to work. Rios agreed. Motion passed unanimously. On the second round of deliberations, Gordon Coombes moved to reduce funding to PS-2 to $55,000. Kay Rios seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Partial funding of $55,000 approved. 6 PS-3 Boys & Girls Club: After-School-Break Child Care/Youth Program -- $24,907 requested Jamaal Curry moved to fully fund PS-3. Anita Basham seconded. Curry said this is a program that serves families who need to work, providing quality child care for just $5 per year, while providing benefits to the kids. He shared that it is not just babysitting--the program helps kids learn so much and develop positive skills. Basham agreed. Kristin Stephens added that B&G Clubs serve an age group not eligible for traditional daycare. Motion passed 7-1, with Bob Browning opposed. Full funding approved. PS-4 CASA Program: Court Appointed Special Advocate -- $26,250 requested Gordon Coombes moved zero funding for PS-4. Anita Basham seconded. Coombes said these are services that other entities within the system can provide. Basham agreed. Bob Browning said he could not support zero funding, because this is a good program, although he can’t justify full funding because there is some duplication of services. He suggested funding at $15,309, enough to cover the applicant’s first priority of a case administrator, but did not offer a friendly amendment. Motion failed 4-3, with Browning, Catherine Costlow, Kristen Stephens and Kay Rios opposed, and Jamaal Curry abstaining. On the second round of deliberation, Bob Browning moved to increase funding to PS-4 to $15,309. Catherine Costlow seconded. Browning said he was not comfortable with zero funding, and this amount would fund the applicant’s first priority. Motion failed 4-3, with Browning, Costlow and Kay Rios in favor, and Jamaal Curry abstaining. No funding approved. PS-5 CASA Program: Harmony House Supervised Visit Center -- $24,500 requested Gordon Coombes moved zero funding for PS-5. Kay Rios seconded. Coombes said there are other ways of providing this service, some of which are privately funded. Rios agreed. Bob Browning said he couldn’t support zero funding, because the alternative is supervision by the police department. 7 Bob Browning offered a friendly amendment to partially fund PS-5 in the amount of $8,950, which would cover the applicant’s first priority. Coombes and Rios accepted the amendment. Amended motion passed unanimously. Partial funding of $8,950 approved. PS-6 Catholic Charities: Senior Services -- $15,000 requested Margaret Long moved to fully fund PS-6. Kay Rios seconded. Long said this is a program that addresses the needs of the senior demographic at no cost to them, helping to keep them in their homes. Rios agreed, adding that despite the name, this is not a religiously-based program. Motion passed 7-1, with Bob Browning opposed. Full funding approved. PS-7 Catholic Charities: Shelter and Rapid Rehousing -- $60,000 requested Bob Browning moved to partially fund PS-7 in the amount of $40,000. Jamaal Curry seconded. Browning pointed out that this amount would fund the applicant’s first priority--shelter staff. Curry agreed. Motion passed unanimously. Partial funding of $40,000 approved. PS-8 Center for Family Outreach: Assessments Low-Income Youth -- $8,000 requested Bob Browning moved to fully fund PS-8. Gordon Coombes seconded. Browning said this program provides important early help for kids. Coombes agreed. Motion passed unanimously. Full funding approved. PS-9 ChildSafe Colorado: Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program -- $23,000 requested Gordon Coombes moved to fully fund PS-9. Bob Browning seconded. Coombes pointed out that without treatment children experience far-reaching effects of sexual abuse, and getting them help early can help reduce other problems later in life. Browning agreed. 8 Motion passed unanimously. Full funding approved. PS-10 Colorado Health Network – NCAP: Client Services/Homelessness Prevention -- $28,480 requested Kay Rios moved to fully fund PS-10. Kristin Stephens seconded. Rios pointed out that clients can’t get services elsewhere. Stephens agreed. Anita Basham offered a friendly amendment to partially fund PS-10 in the amount of $14,240, which would fund the applicant’s first priority. Rios and Stephens accepted the amendment. Amended motion passed unanimously. Partial funding of $14,240 approved. PS-11 Crossroads Safehouse: Advocacy Program -- $98,623 requested Kay Rios moved to partially fund PS-11 in the amount of $43,515. Gordon Coombes seconded. Rios said that the application priority list breaks out several different salaries, and since the Commission can’t fund them all, she would like to provide an amount that would fund the directors and managers who are key to keeping the facility open. Coombes said Crossroads is a good program, but given this year’s budget, the full request is a lot of money. Bob Browning said he would rather not change the applicant’s priorities, which listed the administrators as second to the youth advocates. Bob Browning offered a friendly amendment to fund PS-11 in the amount of $31,885 to partially fund the Youth Director and 1.5 FTE Youth Advocates. Both Kay Rios and Gordon Coombes accepted the amendment. Amended motion passed unanimously. On the second round of deliberation, Bob Browning moved to reduce funding to PS- 11 to $14,711. The motion received no second. Partial funding of $31,885 approved. PS-12 Disabled Resource Services: Access to Independence (ATI) -- $30,193 requested Anita Basham moved to fully fund PS-12. Kay Rios seconded. Basham said that now that DRS has moved into its new facility, it needs funds for case managers to handle the increased load. Bob Browning said he was more in favor of funding the applicant’s first priority than in full funding. 9 Bob Browning offered a friendly amendment to partially fund PS-12 in the amount of $26,186. The amendment was accepted by Basham and Rios. Amended motion passed unanimously. Partial funding of $26,186 approved. PS-13 Education and Life Training Center (ELTC): JobReady and Circles Employment -- $59,125 requested Kay Rios moved to partially fund PS-13 in the amount of $29,310. Bob Browning seconded. Rios said this level of funding provides for 50 percent of the JobReady staff. Circles is a new program, with not enough support for how successful it is. Browning agreed, saying this amount will fund the applicant’s first priority. Motion passed unanimously. Partial funding of 29,310 approved. PS-14 Elderhaus: Mindset Therapy Center Program -- $34,925 requested Bob Browning moved to partially fund PS-14 in the amount of $20,000. Jamaal Curry seconded. Browning said this is a good program that should be funded. Curry agreed, and asked for a clarification from staff that this amount would fund the applicant’s first priority. Motion passed unanimously. Partial funding of $20,000 approved. PS-15 Family Center: Childcare Scholarships -- $45,000 requested Kristin Stephens moved to fully fund PS-15. Kay Rios seconded. Stephens pointed out that there are not a lot of options for child care for lower income parents. Rios agreed. Motion passed unanimously. On the second round of deliberations, Catherine Costlow moved to reduce funding to PS-15 to $40,000. Bob Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Partial funding of $40,000 approved. 10 PS-16 Food Bank for Larimer County: Kids Café Program -- $27,000 requested Kristin Stephens moved to fully fund PS-16. Jamaal Curry seconded. Stephens said feeding kids in the summer should be a priority, and this is a program with low expenses. Curry agreed, saying that the important part for him is that it operates in the summer when school is not in session, and this might be their only meal of the day. Motion passed 7-1, with Bob Browning opposed. On the second round of deliberations, Bob Browning moved to reduce funding to PS- 16 to $16,000. The motion received no second. Full funding approved. PS-17 Front Range Exceptional Equestrians: F.R.E.E. -- $10,200 requested Anita Basham moved zero funding for PS-17. Gordon Coombes seconded. Basham said this is the first time this program has come to the Commission and it is too new to judge results. Coombes agreed, adding that the Commission has other funding commitments. Bob Browning agreed with zero funding until the program has a proven track record. Kay Rios said the Commission should support what works, and if funds are limited, should go with tested programs. Motion passed unanimously. No funding approved. PS-18 GLBT Community Center: SAGE of the Rockies Elder Services -- $7,500 requested Bob Browning moved zero funding for PS-18. Kay Rios seconded. Browning said that while this population is underserved, this application duplicated other services. Rios agreed. Motion passed 7-1, with Margaret Long opposed. No funding approved. PS-19 Health District of Larimer County: Dental Connections -- $58,250 requested Margaret Long moved to fully fund PS-19. Kristin Stephens seconded. Long said this program makes use of pro bono work by local dentists to meet the dental needs of low-income adults, and adults who have healthy teeth are healthier overall. 11 Stephens agreed, adding that physical health and appearance are vital for getting a job. Motion failed on a 4-4 tie, with Jamaal Curry, Catherine Costlow, Bob Browning and Gordon Coombes opposed. Catherine Costlow moved to partially fund PS-19 in the amount of $30,000. Kristin Stephens seconded. Costlow said this amount would fund the applicant’s top two priorities. Kay Rios offered a friendly amendment to make the amount $29,340 the exact amount of the top two priorities. Both Costlow and Stephens accepted the amendment. Amended motion passed unanimously. On the second round of deliberations, Bob Browning moved to reduce funding of PS- 19 to $18,170. Kay Rios seconded. Browning said this would fund the applicant’s first priority. Motion passed 7-1, with Margaret Long opposed. Partial funding of $18,170 approved. PS-20 Homelessness Prevention Initiative: Emergency Rental Assistance -- $60,000 requested Kay Rios moved to fully fund PS-20. No second was received. Jamaal Curry moved to partially fund PS-20 at $45,000. Gordon Coombes seconded. Curry said this is the amount the program received last year, and although the Commission can’t fund it fully, ending homelessness is a priority for the city. Coombes agreed, saying it was a good program but full funding just isn’t feasible. Motion passed unanimously. Partial funding of $45,000 approved. PS-21 Laramie River Valley Rendezvous: At-Risk Youth Camp -- $10,600 requested Gordon Coombes moved zero funding for PS-21. Bob Browning seconded. Coombes said this is a successful program that has used other sources of funding in the past, and suggested it return to those sources first. Browning agreed. Motion passed 7-1, with Anita Basham opposed. No funding approved. 12 PS-22 Larimer County Child Advocate Center: Victim Services -- $35,000 requested Gordon Coombes moved to partially fund PS-22 in the amount of $24,472. Bob Browning seconded. Coombes said this program has a long history of successful outreach, and although it has gone through rough times recently, it will need resources after this storm. Browning agreed, saying this amount will fund the applicant’s first priority. Motion passed unanimously. Partial funding of $24,472 approved. PS-23 The Lift of Northern Colorado: Senior and Disabled Transport -- $18,500 requested Margaret Long moved to partially fund PS-23 at $15,000. The motion received no second. Bob Browning moved zero funding for PS-23. Gordon Coombes seconded. Browning said he felt these services were duplicative, with the applicant being the third or fourth party into the market. Margaret Long disagreed, said these are services not offered by any other providers in areas no longer served by Dial-a-Ride or SAINT. Anita Basham agreed, pointing out that Dial-a-Ride has a limited area, and this application would serve the “donut hole” of transportation for the disabled and the elderly. Motion passed 5-3, with Margaret Long, Anita Basham and Kay Rios opposed. No funding approved. PS-24 Matthews House: Empowering Youth Program -- $33,500 requested Gordon Coombes moved to fully fund PS-24. Anita Basham seconded. Coombes said this is a good program that serves “gap” children who are aging out of foster care to help them adjust to adulthood and be successful. Basham added that it serves young adults up to age 21. Motion passed 6-2, with Catherine Costlow and Bob Browning opposed. Partial funding of $32,229 approved. PS-25 Neighbor to Neighbor: Housing Counseling -- $60,188 requested 13 Kay Rios moved to partially fund PS-25 in the amount of $33,174. Jamaal Curry seconded. Rios said it was important to help people understand the responsibilities of homeownership, and this amount would fund one full-time counselor. Curry agreed. Motion passed unanimously. Partial funding of $33,174 approved. PS-26 Neighbor to Neighbor: Rent Assistance -- $30,000 requested Gordon Coombes moved to fully fund PS-26. Kay Rios seconded. Coombes said this is a good program that the Commission has supported in the past and it gets more people into homes. Rios agreed, adding that it keeps people in their homes, too. Motion passed unanimously. Full funding approved. PS-27 Project Self-Sufficiency: Service Single Parent Families -- $33,000 requested Kay Rios moved to fully fund PS-27. Gordon Coombes seconded. Rios said this program has been successful while operating at little cost with good turnout. Coombes agreed. Motion passed 7-1, with Catherine Costlow opposed. Full funding approved. PS-28 Rehabilitation and Visiting Nurse Association: Home Health Care Scholarships -- $40,000 requested Anita Basham moved full funding for PS-28. Gordon Coombes seconded. Basham said this is the only place where both young and old can get the care they need to keep them in their homes, on a sliding fee scale. Coombes agreed. Kay Rios added that home health care also prolongs the life of the people being served. Motion passed unanimously. On the second round of deliberation, Catherine Costlow moved to reduce funding to PS-28 to $35,000. Kristin Stephens seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Partial funding of $35,000 approved. 14 PS-29 Respite Care: Childcare Scholarships -- $35,000 requested Kristin Stephens moved to fully fund PS-29. Gordon Coombes seconded. Stephens said this is the only group providing care for special needs children so their parents can keep a job and keep the family healthy. Coombes added that it helps keep people in a challenging situation employed. Motion passed unanimously. Full funding approved. PS-30 SAVA Center: Sexual Assault Victim Services -- $41,338 requested Bob Browning moved to partially fund PS-30 in the amount of $18,273. Gordon Coombes seconded. Browning said this amount would fund the applicant’s first two priorities. Motion passed unanimously. Partial funding of $18,273 granted. PS-31 Touchstone Health Partners: CDDT Program -- $57,847 requested Bob Browning moved to partially fund PS-31 in the amount of $29,011. Kristin Stephens seconded. Browning said this would fund the first priority of this high priority program. Stephens agreed, saying clients would otherwise be homeless. Motion passed unanimously. Partial funding $29,011 granted. PS-32 Touchstone Health Partners: Mental Health – Murphy Center -- $22,500 requested Kristin Stephens moved to fully fund PS-32. Jamaal Curry seconded. Stephens said that last year this program served 278 people making 0-30 percent of AMI, and it provides a big bang for the buck and there have been cuts to mental health services by other funders this year. Curry agreed, saying there is a growing need for these services. Stephens said in 2011, the program served 120 people/day; in 2012, it was 137/day, and already this year it has served 157/day. These are services not duplicated elsewhere. Bob Browning asked if there was any other City funding towards this program. Sharon Thomas said the City funding in question was for operations of the Murphy Center, funded by the United Way, and not directly for a program such as this at the Murphy Center. 15 Motion passed 6-2, with Bob Browning and Catherine Costlow opposed. Full funding approved. PS-33 Turning Point: Crisis Intervention Program -- WITHDRAWN PS-34 (UDCC) Teaching Tree: Childcare Scholarships -- $60,000 requested Kristin Stephens moved to fully fund PS-34. Bob Browning seconded. Stephens said infant care is hard to find, and this program provides it for those making 0-30 percent of AMI, who could not afford care without these scholarships and could not work. Browning agreed, saying it keeps people working while doing the right thing for their kids. Motion passed unanimously. On the second round of deliberations, Bob Browning moved to reduce funding for PS-34 to $55,000. Kay Rios seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Partial funding of $55,000 approved. PS-35 Volunteers of America: Home Delivered Meals Program -- $33,600 requested Kay Rios moved to fully fund PS-35. Jamaal Curry seconded. Rios said this is a program that helps people stay in their homes and enjoy a higher quality of life. Curry agreed. Motion passed unanimously. Full funding approved. PS-36 Women’s Resource Center: Neighborhood Promotora Project -- $48,634 requested Kay Rios moved zero funding for PS-36. Bob Browning seconded. Rios said she felt the applicant had not adequately answered questions about the impact of the program, and with 44 objectives, the impact is hard to measure. Browning agreed, saying it is a new program and its track record is unclear. Rios added that the applicant can come back to the Commission in the future. Motion passed unanimously. No funding approved. 16 Wrap-Up Motions Staff updated the funding matrix to reflect Commission decisions. Bob Browning moved to accept the final Funding Matrix for the Public Service category, as presented. Anita Basham seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Bob Browning moved that the Commission approve HOME funds in the amount of $765,981 for administration of the HOME program ($64,862) and specific project allocation ($701,119) in the Fall 2013 Competitive Process funding cycle. Kay Rios seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Jamaal Curry moved to accept the entire Funding Matrix, encompassing the Economic Development/Housing/Public Facility and Public Service categories, as presented. Bob Browning seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The funding recommendations will go before City Council for final approval on July 16 at 6 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Community Development Block Grant Commission is set for July 11, 6:30 p.m., 215 N. Mason St., Fort Collins. Meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.