CDBG UpdatePage 1 of 1
Tara Green
From: Matthew Ellsworth
Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 3:18 PM
To: Tara Green
Cc: C. Caleb Hood; Jaycee Holman
Subject: Council Info - 5-19-2009
Attachments: CDBG-R Council Memo.doc
Tara,
Attached is some supporting info that I'll hand out to Council at tonight's meeting.
Thanks,
Matt Ellsworth
Associate City Planner
Meridian Planning Department
33 E. Broadway Ave.
Meridian, ID 83642
208.884.5533
5/19/2009
City Council Special Meeting/Workshop
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
4.H. CDBG -Recovery Act: Proposed Project Update
A. INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
In anticipation of additional funding for PY2008 that the City may receive through the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), City Council initiated a
public hearing and comment period on Apri121, 2009, on a proposed substantial amendment
to the PY2008 CDBG Action Plan. The amendment added a new project to the PY2008 Plan
- to purchase and install playground equipment, game tables, and other amenities in
Centennial Park. The public hearing and comment period is scheduled to conclude on May
26, 2009.
HUD released guidelines for use of CDBG -Recovery Act funds to entitlement communities
on May 6, 2009. After reviewing the guidelines, staff is concerned that the proposed project
fails to meet the intent of the Recovery Act as outlined by HUD. Centennial Park
improvements lack the diYect impact on job creation, energy independence, environmental
sustainability, and economic stimulus that HUD guidelines and other related documents
mandate. The guidelines require the City to adopt and submit an amendment to the PY2008
Action Plan in order to secure its CDBG -Recovery Act entitlement. The deadline for
submittal of the amendment is June 5, 2009.
B. UPDATE
In light of the guidelines released by HUD for use of CDBG -Recovery Act funds, staff
identified a project that (1) more closely aligns with the intent of the Act and (2) is still
permissible within the parameters and requirements of the CDBG Program. That project is
to construct amulti-use pathway over the recently installed culvert across the Five Mile
Creek into 8a' Street Park. A map of the proposed project is included as Attachment 1.
The project is "shovel ready" with environmental clearances, and it is designed to federal
standards. In compliance with CDBG regulations the project will require an income survey
of residents within the Park's service area since it is located outside of the approved LMI
area as recognized by HUD (which is also true of the Centennial Park project).
C. RECODZMENDATION
After discussing the situation with the Planning Director and Deputy City Attorney, staff
proposes the following:
1. Keep the amendment to the PY2008 Action Plan, which proposes adding a new
project to the 08' Plan, on track. Rather than continuing with the previously
contemplated project, however, the City can instead solicit public comments on
construction of the 8a' Street Pathway.
CDBG -Recovery Act: Proposed Project Update
May 19, 2009
Page 1 of 4
2. Delay the conclusion of the public hearing and comment period from May 26, 2009
to June 2, 2009. This allows two weeks for interested parties to review and provide
input on the proposed change. The two-week review and comment period exceeds
the minimum (one week) condensed timeframe required by HUD for projects that
will receive CDBG -Recovery Act funds. It also allows the City to adopt and submit
the required PY2008 Action Plan amendment within the timeframe set by HUD.
3. Include an update memo along with information that is currently available about the
amendment at the Meridian Public Library, Meridian Senior Center, and City Hall.
4. Notice the change in project and comment period conclusion date in the Valley Times
and Idaho Statesman on Monday, May 25, 2009. A draft notice is included as
Attachment 2.
C. DIRECTION REQUESTED
Staff seeks Council's input and direction on the course of action outlined above.
CDBG -Recovery Act: Proposed Project Update
May 19, 2009
Page 2 of 4
Attachment 1: New Proposed Project Map
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CDBG -Recovery Act: Proposed Project Update
May 19, 2009
Page 3 of 4
Attachment 2: Draft Notice of Proposed Changes
NOTICE OF REVISION TO PROPOSED PY2008 CDBG ACTION PLAN
AMENDMENT AND EXTENDED PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
In anticipation of additional funding for PY2008 that the City may receive through the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), the City proposed an additional project
to its funding allocation priorities for PY08. The proposed project was to install playground
equipment and other amenities in Centennial Park, located at 237 E. Idaho, Meridian.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently released guidelines on use
of CDBG funds through the Recovery Act, and, upon review of HUD guidelines, the City has
determined that the initially proposed project fails to meet the intent of the Recovery Act. 'The
City will consider improvements to Centennial Park for use of a future year's annual entitlement
through the conventional CDBG Program.
The City therefore proposes a different project for the in-process amendment to the
PY2008 Action Plan and for use of the CDBGRecovery Act assistance. That project will
construct a 10' multi-use pathway across Five Mile Creek and through 8~' Street Park, located at
2235 N.W. 8th Street, Meridian.
The City will also extend the public comment period associated with the in-process
amendment to June 2, 2009 from May 26, 2009. This will allow interested parties an
opportunity to review the revised amendment and provide comments for consideration by
Meridian City Council. The associated public hearing on the revised amendment will conclude
in concert with the public comment period at the regular City Council Meeting on June 2, 2009.
During this period, all comments should be addressed to Associate City Planner Matt Ellsworth,
who maybe contacted by mail: City of Meridian, Planning Department, 33 E. Broadway,
Meridian, ID 83642; by phone: (208) 884-5533 (Dial 711 for TTY); by fax: (208) 888-6854; or
by a-mail: mellsworth(cr~,meridiancity.org. Additional information about the revised amendment
is also available at the Meridian Public Library (1326 W. Cherry Lane), the Meridian Senior
Center (133 W. Broadway Avenue), and in the City Clerk's Office of Meridian City Hall (33 E.
Broadway Avenue).
CDBG -Recovery Act: Proposed Project Update
May 19, 2009
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