HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/05/2021 07 CDBG and COVID Fund Program Expenditures ReportsB US INE S S O F T HE C I T Y C O UNC I L
YAK I M A, WAS HING T O N
AG E ND A S TAT E M E NT
I tem No. 7.
For Meeting of: J anuary 5, 2021
I T E M T IT L E :Report on S econd Round of Community Development B lock
Grant, C O V I D F und P rogram Expenditures
S UB M IT T E D B Y:J oan Davenport, Community Development Director
A rchie Matthews, Neighborhood Development Services Manager
S ara Watkins, S enior A ssistant City A ttorney
S UM M ARY E X P L ANAT I O N:
A t the December 8, 2020 City Council meeting, staff was requested to follow up on the funding
priorities for the second round of Community Development Block Grant - C O V I D relief funds
(C D B G-C V). T he City of Yakima will receive approximately $495,195 for programs and
$123,798 for administrative costs in round two.
The improvement of the air flow and air quality systems at two community centers (Henry
B eauchamp Community Center and Washington Fruit Community Center) was approved by City
Council as a priority project, with a total cost of approximately $260,000. T he remaining funds
were to be allocated for food relief such as Meals on W heels and to transportation of elderly
residents. This report provides more detail on the services to be funded and schedules.
I T E M B UD G E T E D:Yes
S T RAT E G I C P RI O RI T Y:Neighborhood and Community B uilding
AP P RO V E D F O R S UB M IT TAL B Y T HE C IT Y M ANAG E R
RE C O M M E ND AT I O N:
A ccept Report
AT TAC HM E NT S :
Description Upload Date Type
CDBG-CV Fund memo Council 12/23/2020 Cover Memo
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MEMORANDUM
To: Honorable Mayor, City Council and City Manager
From: Joan Davenport, Community Development Director
Archie Matthews, Office of Neighborhood Development Services Manager
Sara Watkins, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Date: January 5, 2021 City Council Meeting
Subject: Follow-up Report on Program and Schedule for Second Round of Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG-CV) Funds
Background on CDBG-CV Funds
As an “Entitlement Community”, the City of Yakima has been fortunate to receive two allocations of
CARES Act Community Development Block Grant - COVID (CDBG-CV) funds. Unlike other CARES Act
funds, these supplemental funds must comply with National Objectives and Eligible Activities guidelines
required for all CDBG funds. In addition to the restriction that funded actions must be targeted to
prevent, prepare for, or respond to coronavirus impacts, in most cases, direct recipient tracking is
required to ensure eligible distribution.
CDBG-CV (1)
The first allocation of CDBG-CV Funds of $602,216 was awarded to the City of Yakima on April 2, 2020.
The City Council authorized the first award of CDBG-CV (1) funding to YCDA to support small businesses
(5 or fewer employees) who could document negative economic impacts due to the pandemic. YCDA
had a program in place as a result of a previous Yakima County CARES Act grant. YCDA was able to
distribute in the City of Yakima, $215,193 out of the $481,773 that was authorized. The remaining funds
of $266,576 can be re-allocated with the CDBG-CV (2) funds.
CDBG-CV (2)
On September 11, 2020, the City of Yakima was notified of additional CDBG-CV funds allocated of
$618,993. At the December 8, 2020 City Council meeting, staff was given direction regarding the intent
to allocate the CDBG-CV (2) funds, and Council requested this follow-up report. The first priority project
authorized by City Council was to improve the air flow and air quality at the Henry Beauchamp
Community Center and the Washington Fruit Community Center. Both city-owned buildings are over 40
years old (HBCC built in 1972 and WFCC in 1975). The HVAC systems need to be upgraded to provide
improved circulation. Public Works estimates the improvements will be $130,000 at each community
center for a total estimated cost of $260,000. These systems have been evaluated by a qualified HVAC
professional and Public Works provided a preliminary cost estimate in the December 8, 2020 Council
package.
The remaining CDBG-CV (2) funds of $235,195 was directed to be allocated to food distribution and
elderly transportation programs. As noted above, the remaining CDBG-CV (1) funds of $266,576 can be
re-allocated as well to this purpose, bringing our available total to $501,773 of CDBG-CV funds.
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People for People Meals on Wheels Program
ONDS staff contacted People for People regarding the Meals on Wheels program and the People for
People Transportation Services program. People for People agency representatives stated that the
biggest need they have is support of the Meals on Wheels program which includes transporting seniors
to the meal sites and delivery of meals to homes. Other transportation services of the frail and elderly
provided by the agency have actually declined with the pandemic. The services related to Meals on
Wheels has increased. People for People projects a need for additional funding in 2021 of the Meals on
Wheels program to meet the increased demand.
The Meals on Wheels program receives food from Northwest Harvest. Support of the Meals on Wheels
program will directly assist Northwest Harvest in the distribution of food, the tracking of recipients and a
broader connection to the community. Northwest Harvest stated that they did not have the agency
capacity to track individual demographics of the clientele.
People for People has an excellent history of record keeping and client tracking. They serve qualified
senior citizens, as defined by HUD standards, so CDBG-CV funds can be reliably distributed to an agency
that can support the CDBG regulation and accounting requirements associated with these funds. The
Meals on Wheels program is a food delivery program; however, it also has a transportation component
as they transport some seniors to the meal pick up locations.
Support of Food Banks
Direct funding of food banks is problematic with CDBG-CV funds. Food recipients would need to provide
information about income and residency. Only residents of the City of Yakima and from low to moderate
income census block groups are eligible for direct assistance. This paperwork reporting requirement is
intrusive and burdensome to the food bank and the clients. For these reasons, staff recommends the
City support food delivery with this allocation.
Staff Recommendation and Schedule
Staff recommends the City of Yakima authorize up to $501,773 of CDBG-CV funds to support the Meals
on Wheels program at People for People. If this report is accepted by City Council on January 5, 2021,
ONDS will initiate the “Substantial Amendment to the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan” outlining these
additional programs with CDBG-CV funds. The Amendment process takes about 30 days, so the
Amended 2020-2024 would be presented to City Council in late February or early March of 2021.
The City of Yakima has a policy that administrative funds should be collected, as allowed, on all grants.
The CDBG-CV funds allow the City of Yakima to draw up to 20% of the grant to cover the cost of program
administration. The City of Yakima will utilize this allowable grant expenditure for the CDBG-CV
programs described in this memo.
Suggested Council Action: Accept Report
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