#5 - Presentations regarding CDBG and HOME fun
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES MEMORANDUM
September 11, 2009
TO: Community Development Authority
FROM: Jennifer Petruzzello, Neighborhood Services Director
SUBJECT: Agenda Item #5 - Presentations by Applicants of their
Proposals for funding under the 2010 Community
Development Block Grant Program and HOME Programs.
In planning for the use of the 2010 Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) programs, the Community
Development Authority (CDA) has requested proposals from non-profit agencies.
Representatives from agencies who have submitted a proposal have been
invited to make a brief presentation (no more than 10 minutes) to the CDA at the
September 16, 2009 meeting.
Seven agencies have requested funds from the 2010 Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) Program. In addition, City staff is requesting funding to
support the Neighborhood Action Teams and to provide money towards an Anti-
Poverty Project. All of the requests are for public service activities and fall under
the 15% cap for expenditures. No requests were received for projects that could
be funded under the HOME Investment Partnership Program.
Planning for the use of CDBG funds for public service activities is difficult. Under
CDBG rules, the City has a limit on the amount of funds that may be used for
public service activities. Only 15% of the current year’s grant plus 15% of the
prior year’s program income may be used to fund public service activities. The
amount of the 2010 CDBG grant is not yet known. Currently staff estimates that
$95,000 will be allowed to be used for public service activities. This is based on
a CDBG grant estimate of $540,000 for 2010, about the same as received in
2009, and $85,000 in program income to be received in 2009. This estimate may
be revised as we progress through the budget process and additional income
information becomes available.
Each agency proposal is included in the agenda packet. I have included a
summary of the requests for funding. In addition, I have included an evaluation
sheet. The CDA has not defined specific evaluation criteria. The items I included
on the sheet are meant as a suggestion of items/areas the CDA may wish to
consider in evaluating proposals.
The Authority is requested to read each of the applications and consider
information provided at the Agency Presentations. In addition to the application,
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Neighborhood Services has copies of agency audits, financial statements, and
articles of incorporation. Please let me know if you would like copies of these
items or feel free to stop in the office to review them.
The September 16, 2009 meeting will allow Authority members the opportunity to
ask questions about the proposed activity.
A special meeting will be held on September 23, 2009 for the CDA to make
public service allocation recommendations. A public hearing will be held on the
budget on October 14 and the Authority will make a recommendation on the use
of the CDBG and HOME funds for Council consideration during the budget
process. The City Council will make the final decision on the use of CDBG and
HOME funds during their budget approval process.
ANTI-POVERTY PROJECT
The Neighborhood Services Department has been working with the Community
Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, Community Action of Rock and Walworth
County, and the United Way to conduct a Poverty Forum in the Spring of 2010.
The purpose of the forum would be to bring together community members to
prevent duplication of programs and services and to inspire grass roots initiatives
by highlighing proven strategies (best practices in other communities), cultivating
community-based leadership and foster real solutions to poverty. It is our hope
that the forum will generate one to two program ideas that people get excited
about and are willing to bring to fruition in Janesville. The seed money proposed
would be used to assist in implementing these program ideas. This activity would
likely be considered a public service under the CDBG program. The amount of
funding available for public service activities has been decreasing each year. An
additional $5,000 in general fund support will also be requested in the 2010
budget proposal.
ACTION REQUESTED
No action is necessary at this time, however, the CDA may wish to discuss the
format or process you would like to use to facilitate your allocation decision.
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