HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 03/02/2021 - PUBLIC HEARING AND RESOLUTION 2021-028, APPROVING Agenda Item 12
Item # 12 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY March 2, 2021
City Council
STAFF
Beth Rosen, Grants Compliance & Policy Manager
Ingrid Decker, Legal
SUBJECT
Public Hearing and Resolution 2021-028, Approving the Programs and Projects that will Receive COVID -19
Response and Recovery Funding from the Federal Community Development Block Grant Program.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to approve the projects and activities recommended for funding from the
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding in the amount of $760,023 from the Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to be used for COVID-19 response and recovery.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Program provides annual grants on a formula
basis to eligible cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a
suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, p rincipally for low- and moderate-
income persons. Recipient communities develop their own programs and funding priorities. However, grantees
must give maximum feasible priority to activities which benefit low - and moderate-income persons.
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law.
The CARES Act made available $5 billion in Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG -CV)
funds. The City received initial funding of $649,203 in April 2020 and quickly deployed the funds to meet urgent
community needs benefiting low- and moderate-income persons. Those funds were appropriated by Council
on May 19, 2020, in Ordinance No. 065, 2020, and allocated to eligible public service projects as adopted by
Council on June 2, 2020, Resolution No. 2020-054.
On September 11, 2020, the City received notification from HUD that it was receiving an additional allocation
of $760,023, which the Council appropriated through adoption of Ordinance No. 024, 2021, on February 16,
2021. These funds must be allocated to help prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID -19 pandemic.
Using the HUD guidance, the use of these funds was prioritized for public service activities that prevent at -risk
populations from exposure to the virus and mitigate the economic impacts of the pandemic to low -and
moderate-income households. (Attachment 1)
Social Sustainability Department (SSD) Grants Management staff coordinated with representatives of the
Recovery Policy Team to form a CDBG-CV Review Team (Review Team) which developed a deployment plan
that prioritized existing social recovery efforts and provided the funding needed to complete programs
previously funded with CARES.
Agenda Item 12
Item # 12 Page 2
This approach resulted in the identification of four eligible categories of funding:
1. Services in direct response to COVID-19 that mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic to Low-to
Moderate-Income (LMI) residents and prevent them from becoming homeless as a result of the virus.
2. Services that support at-home sheltering for at-risk persons and vulnerable populations.
3. Emergency shelter and supports for persons experiencing homelessness (PEH).
4. Childcare (including elementary remote learning services) that benefit Low-to Moderate-Income (LMI)
residents.
Recognizing the requests could exceed the available funding, eligible applications were further prioritized in
the following order:
1. Funding needed to ensure continuation of existing COVID response programs, particularly those that
either prevent homelessness or protect persons experiencing homelessness.
2. Increased costs of existing services to protect vulnerable populations and prevent the spread of the virus.
On January 4, 2021, SSD deployed a federal COVID Response Fund application sol iciting requests from
eligible non-profits. All applications were then reviewed and scored by the Review Team, with the following
slate presented to the CDBG Commission on February 10, 2021.
Priority 1: Existing COVID Response Program Amount Requested Funding
Recommendation
City of Fort Collins - Emergency Shelter Programs* $196,080 $190,080
Homeward Alliance - COVID Isolation, Quarantine
and Recovery Site & Inclement Weather Shelter
$54,750 $54,750
Neighbor to Neighbor - Emergency Rent
Assistance**
$400,000 $400,000
Total $650,830 $650,830
*City of Fort Collins - Emergency Shelter Programs
With the assistance of 2020 CARES funding, the City was able to provide financial support for the operations
of an expanded overnight shelter at 1301 Blue Spruce and support the non-congregate shelter program, which
provides hotel rooms for PEH who are unable to stay in the emergency shelters due to age and other health
risks which put them at greater risk of severe disease if exposed to the coronavirus. The Blue S pruce Shelter
requires funding support through April 30, 2021, and the non-congregate shelter program requires funding
support through March while they work on permanent housing solutions for their participants.
This funding request allows the Social Sustainability Department to meet the anticipated financial needs to
complete the existing emergency shelter programs, while providing flexibility to adjust the funding as project
budgets change and additional needs arise.
**Neighbor to Neighbor - Emergency Rent Assistance
After receiving notification of the CDBG Commission’s support of the proposed funding distribution, Neighbor
to Neighbor notified the City that it has been coordinating with Larimer County on the distribution of $9.6 Million
in Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. It is still unclear how
the funds will be distributed across the county and what gaps will remain for 2021. The need for emergency
rent assistance is expected to remain tied to the pac e of economic recovery and continue well into 2022.
Currently, the Review Team advises retaining this allocation for emergency rental assistance and re -evaluating
as new information emerges regarding additional stimulus dollars and remaining needs. Shoul d other urgent
needs become apparent, staff will develop a new application process that allows for an equitable re -allocation,
including a recommendation to Council by the CDBG Commission.
Agenda Item 12
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Priority 2: Increase Costs to Protect Vulnerable
Populations Amount Requested Funding
Recommendation
Catholic Charities - The Mission Shelter Costs $125,000 $60,297
Family Housing Network: Day Center Operations
Costs - COVID safe
$23,896 $23,896
Meals on Wheels - Meal Deliver Programs $25,000 $25,000
Total $173,896 $109,193
The recommended costs associated with both Catholic Charities and Family Housing Network will support the
additional COVID related operations costs of their shelter programs through June 30, 2021. The allocation for
Meals on Wheels will support a portion of their increased costs of food delivery to homebound seniors and
persons with disabilities through December 31, 2021.
The following applications did not receive funding recommendations because they were a duplication of other
services, did not meet the eligibility criteria, or did not align with the priorities as outlined in the application.
Non-priority/Ineligible: Amount Requested Amount
Recommended
Crossroad Safehouse - Advocate staff $25,000 $0
Homeward Alliance - Family Navigator $39,000 $0
Family Housing Network: Foothills Unitarian Church
overnight shelter costs
$11,000 $0
Salvation Army - Emergency Rent & Utilities $20,000 $0
Total $95,000 $0
SSD staff explored potential childcare programs with both City Recreation staff and non-profit community
partners. Because the Poudre School District (PSD) had returned to classroom learning for elementary
schools, there were no COVID specific programs determined to meet the CDBG purpose of providing
alternative childcare options that pr imarily benefited low- and moderate-income households.
Equity Considerations
When the first Round of CDBG-CV funds were deployed in May 2020, they were reviewed by the City’s Rapid
Response Team using the Just in Time Equity Tool. Because the evaluati on criteria, eligible response costs
and service providers are relatively unchanged from the prior distribution, the previous review and
recommendation is attached. (Attachment 2)
Based on evaluation criteria, the Rapid Response Team supported the priorit ization of grantees, as those
organizations demonstrate a proven track record of successfully serving communities of color, both prior to
and during the COVID pandemic. The team expressed confidence these nonprofits will continue to effectively
serve clientele of color during response and recovery phases, thereby helping reduce impacts related not only
to the virus, but also the social and economic impacts resulting from it.
Notably, while the CDBG-CV rent assistance funds can only be used to provide direct assistance to residents
who can document lawful presence, the program staffing funds provided to Neighbor to Neighbor can be used
to serve all applicants. These funds support the hiring of two additional Spanish speaking housing counselors
and preserving donor and unrestricted funds to be used as most needed for direct client assist. This helps to
advance access and equity for those residents who identify as undocumented and are therefore at a unique
risk for experiencing outsized disparate impacts related to housing stability and security. In their most recent
rental assistance report, Neighbor to Neighbor disclosed that 16% of the clients served in January 2021 were
non-English speakers.
Agenda Item 12
Item # 12 Page 4
CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS
This will increase the City’s total CD BG-CV allocation for Coronavirus relief and recovery from $649,203 to
$1,409,226. These additional funds will assist in critical response and recovery efforts not funded by other
sources.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The CDBG Commission recommended the proposed distribution of funding at its regular meeting on February
10, 2021. (Attachment 3)
Because of the specific nature of these funds, the CDBG Commission relied heavily on staff to provide
guidance on a prioritized slate of proposals based on the existing social recovery priorities and eligible uses of
the funds.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
A public notice of funding availability was posted on the Social Sustainability website. An email blast
announcing the application and guidelines was sent out to all current and past nonprofit applicants and funding
recipients. The proposed recommendations were published on the Social Sustainability website and via Public
Notice in the Coloradoan on February 19, 2021 per the HUD required minimum public review period for
emergency funding as outlined in the Citizen Participation Plan.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Award Letter (PDF)
2. Just in Time Equity Lens Assessment (PDF)
3. CDBG Commission Minutes, February 10, 2021 (draft) (PDF)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
WASHINGTON, DC 20410-7000
ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
www.hud.gov espanol.hud.gov
September 11, 2020
The Honorable Wade Troxell
Mayor of Fort Collins
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
Dear Mayor Troxell:
I am pleased to inform you of a special allocation to your jurisdiction of Community
Development Block Grant funds to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus
(COVID-19). This allocation was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136, which was signed by President Trump on March
27, 2020, to respond to the growing effects of this historic public health crisis.
The CARES Act made available $5 billion in Community Development Block Grant
Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds. Of this amount, the Department immediately allocated $2 billion
on March 27, 2020, the same day President Trump signed the Act, based on the fiscal year 2020
CDBG formula; this constituted the first round of CDBG-CV funds. Next, $1 billion was required
by the Act to be allocated to States and insular areas within 45 days of enactment of the Act; HUD
accomplished this on May 11, 2020, and this constituted the second round of CDBG-CV funds.
Finally, the remaining $2 billion in CDBG-CV funds was required by the Act to be allocated to
states and local governments at the discretion of the Secretary on a rolling basis; HUD
accomplished this on September 11, 2020, and this constituted the third round of CDBG-CV funds.
Additionally, up to $10 million will be set aside for technical assistance.
Accordingly, this letter informs you that your jurisdiction’s allocation for the third round is
$760,023. Your cumulative amount for all allocation rounds is $1,409,226.
The CARES Act adds additional flexibility for both the CDBG-CV grant and, in some cases,
for the annual FY2019 and FY2020 CDBG grants in these unprecedented times. The public
comment period is reduced to not less than 5 days, grantees may use virtual public hearings when
necessary for public health reasons, the public services cap is suspended during the emergency, and
States and local governments may reimburse costs of eligible activities incurred for pandemic
response regardless of the date.
In addition, the CARES Act authorizes the HUD Secretary to grant waivers and alternative
requirements of statutes and regulations the HUD Secretary administers in connection with the use
of CDBG-CV funds and fiscal year 2019 and 2020 CDBG funds (except for requirements related to
fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment). Waivers and alternative
requirements can be granted when necessary to expedite and facilitate the use of funds to prevent,
ATTACHMENT 1
prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.
The CDBG CARES Act Federal Register Notice (FR-6218-N-01) was released on August
10, 2020. The notice describes the allocations and grant procedures applicable to the CDBG-CV
grants. It also describes the program flexibilities, waivers, and alternative requirements that apply to
the CDBG-CV grants as well as the fiscal year 2019 and 2020 CDBG grants. As further such
flexibilities become available, they will be posted on HUD’s website and distributed to grantees.
The Department will also support grantees with technical assistance.
As you develop your plan for the use of these grant funds, we encourage you to consider
approaches that prioritize the unique needs of low- and moderate–income persons and the
development of partnerships between all levels of government and the private for-profit and non-
profit sectors. You should coordinate with state and local health authorities before undertaking any
activity to support state or local pandemic response. CDBG-CV grants will be subject to oversight,
reporting, and the requirement that each grantee have adequate procedures to prevent the
duplication of benefits (DOB). HUD will provide guidance and technical assistance on DOB, the
prevention of fraud, waste, and abuse, and on documenting the impact of this program for
beneficiaries.
Reminder, all CPD Grantees must ensure they maintain active Dun and Bradstreet Numbering
System (DUNS) numbers in the System for Award Management (SAM) system. Entities must have
an active and unexpired DUNS before execution of grant agreements to avoid delays in the
obligation of funds- which will delay your ability to drawdown funds in the Integrated
Disbursement & Information System (IDIS). Grantees are required to maintain an active SAMs
registration by re-activating their DUNS number annually in the SAM system for the entire
drawdown period of their grants. DUNS numbers can be registered and renewed each year at the
following website: https://www.sam.gov/SAM/.
The Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) is looking forward to working
with you to successfully meet the urgent and complex challenges faced by our communities. If you
or any member of your staff has questions, please contact your local CPD Field Office Director or
CPDQuestionsAnswered@hud.gov.
Sincerely,
John Gibbs
Acting Assistant Secretary
for Community Planning and Development
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Just in Time Equity Lens
Assessment Worksheet
What are the desired results and outcomes of your project based on your proposal?
Proposal, Results, and
Outcomes Questions
Determine the
major proposal of
your project.
What areas of the
community will this impact
and how? (i.e. housing,
health, jobs, economic
development, etc)
What are the outcomes for the
organization and your department?
(should be able to answer: how
much did you do, how well did you
do it, and is anyone better off)
Your Responses To protect the
most vulnerable in
our community
who are at risk
from COVID-
19 and to prevent
persons from
becoming
homeless as a
result of COVID-
19.
Housing and Human
Services
From a racial equity perspective,
the organizations prioritized
demonstrate a proven track record
of successfully serving communities
of color, both pre and during the
Covid pandemic.
Organizations can increase dollars
for services supporting people of
color by using these funds.
In addition, Neighbor to Neighbor
will be able to use these federal
dollars to serve other clients,
therefore protecting other funding
sources that can be allocated to
help clients who identify
undocumented.
What about data?
· Do you have existing data on who you are serving and how that could benefit the racial equity
of your project?
o Known health disparities with COVID-19:
This report estimates the potential hospitalization, ICU use and mortality rates
associated with COVID-19 infection among the homeless population in the United
States, as well as unmet need for emergency and observational/quarantine
beds/units. Results project that homeless individuals infected by COVID-19 would be
twice as likely to be hospitalized, two to four times as likely to require critical care,
and two to three times as likely to die than the general
population. https://works.bepress.com/dennis_culhane/237/?mc_cid=ad1b3e3234
&mc_eid=7847c2f8d7
“Black and Latinx people are not only becoming infected at higher rates, they
are dying at a higher rate than other demographic
groups.” https://www.raceforward.org/press/statements/race-
forward%E2%80%99s-statement-disproportionate-covid-19-cases-and-deaths-
black-and
Are there gaps in your data that tell you anything about who/what you are missing?
o When deciding which organizations to fund, one consideration for which there wasn’t
adequate data was at what level each organization engages with specific marginalized
ATTACHMENT 2
populations of interest. Specifically, what engagement techniques do they utilize and how
do they measure how well they are reaching segments of the population that are most in
need as well as how well are they reaching people of certain races.
o Future efforts could also examine to what level organizations apply an equity lens to
their work.
How do (and should) we engage during this time?
· What engagement platforms could you utilize for engagement? Would some methods/tools
work better than others?
o Engagement platforms used to notify agencies of grant opportunity included:
Public notice in the paper in English and Spanish
Posted on the City's website
Emails to current grantees and past applications
Who is going to benefit or be burdened by your project?
· What are some unintended consequences that could come from your project? How can your
project be modified to enhance positive impacts and reduce negative impacts?
o Decision criteria considered immediate response and recovery for individuals in the
community most likely to be negatively impacted by COVID-19 versus future
needs. Additional funding may need to be secured to meet the potential increased needs of
organizations in the future.
o The CARES Act funding can only be used by the organizations to assist community
members that have legal status. Recipient organization will need to utilize other funding
sources to support undocumented members of the community.
· Does your project align with other initiatives at the city? Utilizing existing knowledge of racial
equity can increase the success of leading with race in your project, and can create
opportunities in other areas.
o Worked with the Equity Rapid Response Team to evaluate the decisions
Impact Questions What are some
unintended
consequences
– especially to
communities of
color -- that could
come from your
project?
Who will disproportionately
benefit or be burdened by the
outcomes and results of this
project? Why/how?
How can you adapt to enhance positive
impacts and decrease negative
impacts, especially to communities of
color? Will these adaptations create
other unintended impacts?
Your Responses
Only people with lawful
presence are eligible to receive
assistance from the CARES Act
funds.
Working with the organizations, the City
can determine if the organizations that
are receiving CARES Act funds have
other funding sources that could be used
to assist undocumented community
members.
CDBG COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING DRAFT
February 10, 2021 at 5:30 PM
Remote/ZOOM due to COVID-19
2/10/2021 – MINUTES Page 1
1. CALL TO ORDER
• At 5:31PM 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 Sam Stoltz
o Nick Verni-Lau
o Pat Hastings
o Josh Johnson, Chair
• Board Members Absent
o Mike Kulisheck
• Staff Members Present
o Adam Molzer, Staff Liaison, CDBG Commission – City of Fort Collins
o Beth Rosen, Social Sustainability Department – City of Fort Collins
o Lindsay Ex, Social Sustainability Department – City of Fort Collins
o Sue Beck-Ferkiss, Social Sustainability Department – City of Fort Collins
o Meaghan Overton, Community Development – City of Fort Collins
For further information, details and insight, and 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. It was noted that nominations for Chair and Vice
Chair would be added to the agenda. Adam Molzer reviewed agenda. The Commission
accepted the agenda with this modification.
ATTACHMENT 3
CDBG COMMISSION
REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING
2/10/2021 – MINUTES Page 2
4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No public comment.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January 13, 2021 Regular Meeting
Olga Duvall moved to approve the minutes.
Ethnie Treick seconded approval.
Motion approved with roll call. Pat Hastings abstained. Passed unanimously.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Election of Officers
• Olga Duvall nominated Josh Johnson to serve at Commission Chair for the remainder
of 2021. Sara Maranowicz seconded the motion – unanimously approved.
• Josh Johnson nominated Olga Duvall to serve at Commission Vice Chair for the
remainder of 2021. Steve Backsen seconded the motion – unanimously approved.
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. CDBG CV Round 2 Funding Beth Rosen
Beth highlighted an error in the original funding recommendation packet. The initial
estimated costs for non-congregate shelter were $155,900 and has been adjusted to
$175,900 to reflect a change for residents moving to permanent supportive housing.
A community-wide nonprofit application was deployed for Round 2 of the COVID-19
Response and Recovery Funds specific to the CDBG program. Funds must be used to
benefit low-moderate income persons to the maximum extent feasible and are eligible as of
January 1, 2021. The CDBG Commission is relying on guidance of staff for a prioritized
slate of proposals, based on the existing social recovery policy priorities of the City and the
eligible uses of funds. Funding recommendations from the Commission will go to City
Council for final approval. In the event that requests exceeded available funds, staff
developed an evaluation method to prioritize funding recommendations for eligible activities.
No requests were received for childcare and remote learning supports.
Recommendation for funding was broken down in two categories:
1. City Response Costs: Congregate shelter and non-congregate shelter programs.
Total recommended costs were $196,080.
2. Public Service Response costs: Prioritized funding recommendations for existing
nonprofit applications. Total recommended costs were $563,943.
• Priority 1 Funding Recommendations: Staff recommended full funding for applicants
in this category. Total recommended costs were $454,750 and included the
CDBG COMMISSION
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following applicants:
- Neighbor to Neighbor – Rent Assistance
- Homeward Alliance – Quarantine and Recovery site
- Homeward Alliance – Inclement Weather Shelter (to accommodate the additional
space for social distancing due to Covid-19).
Pat Hastings asked why Salvation Army did not receive funding while categorized as
priority 1. Beth responded it was because their request was a duplication of services (rent
assistance provided by Neighbor to Neighbor).
• Priority 2 Funding Recommendations: Staff recommended partial funding for a total
of $109,193 to the following organizations:
- Meals on Wheels – Home delivered meals
- Family Housing Network – Day Center
- Catholic Charities – Mission Shelter
• Unrecommended Funding: Total requested in this category was $84,000 and
included the following organizations (and reasons).
- Crossroads Safehouse (insufficient funding / not an identified priority)
- Salvation Army (duplication of services)
- Homeward Alliance (insufficient funding / not an identified priority)
Of note, staff do not know when other stimulus funds will be available to municipalities. If an
additional funding package is received, those funds would likely become available in June.
Olga Duvall asked Beth to explain why utility and trash service are not an eligible expense in
the Family Housing Network application. Beth explained that the City cannot reimburse,
essentially ourselves, for a fee that the City charges – this removes any utility costs paid to
the City of Fort Collins. The other difficulty is that FHN does not have a lease or written
agreement with the church to cover these expenses.
Sara Maranowicz asked how staff saw Neighbor to Neighbor’s request alongside their recent
EHAP allocation of $3 million and how the team talked about the need for Homeward
Alliance’s family navigator support, given it is overwhelming and difficult for families who are
vulnerable to access the right support for emergency rental services. Beth shared that as a
recipient to EHAP and CDBG funding, Neighbor to Neighbor will need to screen for eligibility
of persons and cannot duplicate support. She explained that due to restrictions in funding
eligibility and documentation, it is hard to tie a service like family navigator to COVID. This
evaluation was similar to Crossroads Safehouse application.
Sam Stoltz asked if there was a way for Crossroads Safehouse to document an increased
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risk of COVID from homelessness caused by domestic violence. Beth explained that if
Crossroads had applied for shelter specific services for clientele in order to expand services
due to COVID for victims of domestic violence, it may have qualified.
Staff are requesting the Commission to recommend funding of $760,023 across the priority
need areas, as presented by staff. In addition, allowing for the flexibility to allocate any
unspent funds for a like purpose. The recommendation will then go to City Council on March
2, with a note that the CDBG commission relied heavily on staff guidance to make these
funding recommendations.
Olga Duvall made a motion to approve the funding slate as proposed by the recovery policy
team. Ethnie Treick seconded the motion – unanimously approved.
b. Competitive Process Update Adam Molzer
Housing and Human Service applications are due Friday, February 12 at 5pm.
To-date proposals (based on pre-application / intent to apply)
• Human Service – 45 proposals, $1.8million
• Housing – 4 proposals, $2.2million
Due to recent staff changes, Adam is evaluating capacity for binders vs. doing
digitally through ZoomGrants. Adam will email a poll to get preferences from the
commission.
Overview of meetings in the coming months:
• March 10 – Overview of housing projects
• March 24 – Housing project presentations with the Affordable Housing Board
• April 7 – Overview of Human Service projects and the Commission will
identify questions to ask of applicants.
More details about the protocol and process will be provided in the March / April
meetings. He welcomes thoughts to better administer the process in the coming
months.
8. LEARNING SERIES PRESENTATION
Housing Strategic Plan Lindsay Ex - Sue Beck-Ferkiss – Meaghan Overton
The Housing Strategic Plan team attended to request the CDBG Commission to make a
recommendation for the plan going to City Council on February 16. Sue Beck-Ferkiss began
with an overview of the Housing Strategic Plan process that started in 2020. Council has
approved 26 strategies that is going into the final adoption draft. The new plan encompasses
CDBG COMMISSION
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the entire housing spectrum and carries over strategies from the previous affordable housing
strategic plan and digs in on refining incentives and bringing new partnerships / funding
sources.
The team went through the 26 strategies that are included in the draft plan that Council will
consider. Strategies are grouped in three categories based on timeframe of execution.
Meaghan and Lindsay provided summaries of how these strategies and key outcomes
advances the City’s housing priorities. The planning team has met with community members
and groups for feedback. This has resulted in some changes made to the draft plan. Lindsay
shared some of the comments received from community members and briefly introduced the
implementation framework, highlighting the need for the plan to be adaptive and agile.
Sue explained that the plan will be used by the Commission in decision making procedures.
The purpose of the guiding principles should help with evaluating proposals that don’t fit
neatly. Lindsay closed with an overview of the next steps of this plan through summer 2021.
Commission members shared initial thoughts about their support of the plan. Josh started with
voicing that there was a lot of information to review in a short timeframe. Other members felt
the development of the plan was thorough, liked that the plan will evolve and adapt over time
based on community needs, and felt comfortable to make a recommendation at this time.
Ethnie asked if the 2040 end-goal is obtainable. The planning team provided more context,
also included in the plan appendix, on how the City hopes to achieve the goal but challenges
(such as funding) might affect the goal. Sam commented that he would like to see how the
plan benefits historically disadvantaged populations over time (specifically in strategies 8 and
11).
Olga Duvall motioned to approve that the CDBG Commission support the Housing Strategic
Plan, both work completed and the ongoing work. Nick Verni-Lau seconded the motion –
motion passed unanimously. Sara left the meeting and did not cast a vote.
9. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS
None
10. STAFF REPORTS
FY20 Q1 Invoice Payouts (Oct – Dec 2020): last month nearly $250,000 went to current
grantees receiving program support and all appear to be on track to expense funding.
Civic Center Master Plan Focus Groups: there is an opportunity for board / commission
member representation to support a series of focus groups. The planning team would like 1-
2 members from identified boards / commissions to provide input on a vision to redevelop
the downtown campus. Adam will email the information to the Commission.
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Additional Stimulus Funding: It is anticipated that additional stimulus funding will be
received later in the year and may require Commission support for funding
recommendations.
Board / Commission Restructure: The proposed new name of the CDBG commission is the
Human Services and Housing Funding Board. Changes to boards and commissions across
the City include member composition, names, appointments, and term limits. Several
commissions will become boards.
Nick asked why the City was changing the composition. Adam said the change reflects the
desire for uniformity across the boards. Adam acknowledged that the new composition may
not align well given the influence and authority CDBG has over millions of dollars.
11. OTHER BUSINESS
Grantee Client Story
Adam Molzer shared a brief impact story submitted by Ensight Skills Center in their recent
quarterly report.
12. NEXT MEETING
a. Wednesday, March 10, 2021 | 5:30pm | Remote/Online Via Zoom
13. ADJOURNMENT
Josh Johnson adjourned meeting at 7:16 PM.
Minutes were finalized and approved by the CDBG Commission on ____________________
City of Fort Collins Staff Liaison: ____________________________________________
Adam Molzer
-1-
RESOLUTION 2021-028
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROVING THE PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS THAT WILL RECEIVE COVID-19
RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) Program is an
ongoing grant administration program funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban
Development (“HUD”); and
WHEREAS, the City has received CDBG Program funds since 1975; and
WHEREAS, On March 27, 2020, the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed in to law, making available $5 billion in Community
Development Block Grant Coronavirus (“CDBG-CV”) funds; and
WHEREAS, of this amount, HUD immediately allocated $2 billion based on the fiscal
year 2020 CDBG formula, and on April 2, 2020, HUD notified the City it would receive a
CARES Act allocation of $649,203, which amount the City Council appropriated on May 19,
2020, through adoption of Ordinance No. 065, 2020, and allocated to eligible public service
projects pursuant to Resolution No. 2020-054 on June 20, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on September 11, 2020, HUD notified the City it would receive an
additional CARES Act allocation of $760,023, which amount the City council appropriated on
February 16, 2021, through adoption of Ordinance No. 024, 2021; and
WHEREAS, on May 7, 2020, the City Manager signed Emergency Rules and
Regulations No. 2020-16 allowing City staff to develop an internal team to prioritize
recommendations for use of these funds, which was subsequently confirmed by the City Council
on May 19, 2020, by adoption of Emergency Ordinance No. 073, 2020; and
WHEREAS, for this round of funding, the City team developed four categories eligible
for funding:
1. Services in direct response to COVID-19 that mitigate the economic impact of the
pandemic to Low-to Moderate-Income (LMI) residents and prevent them from
becoming homeless as a result of the virus;
2. Services that support at-home sheltering for at-risk persons and vulnerable
populations;
3. Emergency shelter and supports for persons experiencing homelessness (PEH); and
4. Childcare (including elementary remote learning services) that benefit Low-to
Moderate-Income (LMI) residents; and
-2-
WHEREAS, City staff then deployed a federal COVID Response Fund application
soliciting requests from eligible non-profits; and
WHEREAS, all applications were reviewed and scored by the internal team with eligible
applications further prioritized in the following order:
1. Funding needed to ensure continuation of existing COVID response programs,
particularly those that either prevent homelessness or protect persons experiencing
homelessness;
2. Increased costs of existing services to protect vulnerable populations and prevent the
spread of the virus; and
WHEREAS, the internal team presented its recommendations to the CDBG Commission,
which recommended the following proposed distribution of priority 1 and priority 2 funding at
its regular meeting on February 10, 2021:
Priority 1: Existing COVID Response Program Amount
Requested
Funding
Recommendation
City of Fort Collins - Emergency Shelter Programs $196,080 $190,080
Homeward Alliance - COVID Isolation, Quarantine and
Recovery Site & Inclement Weather Shelter
$54,750 $54,750
Neighbor to Neighbor - Emergency Rent Assistance $400,000 $400,000
Total $650,830 $650,830
Priority 2: Increase Costs to Protect Vulnerable
Populations
Amount
Requested
Funding
Recommendation
Catholic Charities - The Mission Shelter Costs $125,000 $60,297
Family Housing Network: Day Center Operations Costs
- COVID safe
$23,896 $23,896
Meals on Wheels - Meal Deliver Programs $25,000 $25,000
Total $173,896 $109,193
and
WHEREAS, these recommendations were published on the Social Sustainability page of
the City’s website and via Public Notice in the Coloradoan on February 19, 2021, per the HUD
required minimum public review period for emergency funding as outlined in the Council -
approved Citizen Participation Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has considered thes e recommendations and has determined
that the City’s CDBG-CV allocation should be used to fund the projects and programs set forth
above.
-3-
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That City staff is hereby authorized to use the City’s CDBG-CV funding
allocation to fund the programs and projects described in this Resolution.
Section 3. That, subject to the appropriation of funds by the City Council, the City
Manager is hereby authorized to execute any agreements or amendments to existing agreements
necessary to implement the funding allocations described herein on terms and conditions
consistent with this Resolution, along with such additional terms and conditions as the City
Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney, deems necessary or appropriate to protect the
interests of the City.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this
2nd day of March, A.D. 2021.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk