CC MEETING: August 6, 2024
DATE: July 31, 2024
TO: Erin Rinehart, City Manager
FROM: Cory Heiple, Environmental Services Director
Ravi Shah, Executive Director of Development
Title
Hold A Public Hearing And Consider A Resolution Adopting The Draft 2024-2028 Consolidated Plan And Program Year 2024 Community Development Block Grant One-Year Action Plan And Budget.
Body
BACKGROUND:
This agenda item is to hold a public hearing and receive comments on the proposed Program Years 2024-2028 Community Development Block Grant Consolidated Plan which incorporates Program Year (PY) 2024 One-Year Action Plan and Budget. The item also includes a proposed resolution to adopt these plans for submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Development (HUD).
On October 1, 2024, the City of Carrollton will receive $711,716 in new funding for the PY 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from HUD. According to federal law, these funds must be used to benefit persons of low- to moderate-income in Carrollton to address community development concerns. In addition to the annual Action Plan, every five years HUD requires that grantees conduct a more comprehensive assessment of community status and needs, known as the Consolidated Plan. This Consolidated Plan will cover the five program years beginning October 2024 to September 2028. In March, the city contracted with Grow America under RFP #23-044 to conduct this assessment which includes extensive demographic analysis and community input.
In order to receive public input on the proposed plans, two public hearings were held on July 25, 2024, a morning session in the Council Chambers and during the Neighborhood Advisory Commission (NAC) July 25, 2024 meeting, and a third public hearing on August 6th, 2024 during the scheduled City Council meeting. The public comments and NAC input have helped shape the draft plans. On July 25, 2024 the NAC reviewed and approved the draft plans for adoption by the City Council.
A preliminary focus group indicated a continued support for infrastructure improvements and enhanced code enforcement for Carrollton’s older apartment communities. Participants placed a high value on the funding the City provides to our local social service partners who support Carrollton’s vulnerable populations, particularly our youth, veterans, seniors and unemployed.
The Community Development recommended budget includes an additional $816,934 in unspent CDBG funding for a total PY budget of $1,528,650:
- $200,000 for a land acquisition pilot program for blight elimination and affordable housing construction;
- $200,000 for the installation of playground equipment at Ward Steenson Park;
- $195,000 for ground-based radar survey and site improvements to the Carrollton Black Cemetery;
- $175,000 for the installation of fencing at R.E. Good Park;
- $135,000 to the City's Housing Rehabilitation Programs;
- $125,000 for the installation of a splash pad controller;
- $110,000 for the installation of a basketball court and synthetic turf at Francis-Perry Park;
- $110,000 for the installation of synthetic turf at Jimmy Porter Park;
- $106,650 to Metrocrest Services for homelessness response and prevention;
- $95,000 for Enhanced Code Enforcement in the CDBG target area multi-family units;
- $35,000 for program administration, staff training, and updated informational material;
- $22,000 for the installation of lighting and a pergola in the Downtown Square Park;
- $20,000 for the resurfacing of sports courts at Rhoton Park;
All activities in the proposed PY 2024 CDBG budget were identified as major priorities in the 2024-2028 Consolidated Plan. The proposed plan reflects a continued funding support in all housing repair programs, assists infrastructure repair projects in CDBG target areas, and provides support for homelessness in the community. As the community continues to age, the need for these programs expands to address the challenges low- to moderate-income individuals face to maintain their homes.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The PY 2024 Community Development Block Grant of $711,716 in new financial resources for community development initiatives is a critical reinvestment in areas benefiting low- to moderate-income residents.
IMPACT ON COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY:
Annually, the Carrollton Community Development Block Grant program secures, allocates, and administers approximately $750,000 in new community development resources for use in the low- to moderate-income areas of the City. Long-term community sustainability is supported by significant financial reinvestment in aging neighborhoods, housing rehabilitation, code enforcement, and through the city’s partnerships to address homelessness.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION/ACTION DESIRED:
Staff recommends the City Council hold a public hearing to receive citizen comments and approve the Resolution to adopt the 2024-2028 Consolidated Plan and the Program Year 2024 Action Plan and Budget.