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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Chris Ragona, Community Development Manager, Community Development Division
DATE: August 3, 2021
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment 2021-#2 to reallocate prior year resources and current year resources in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
PURPOSE:
Staff requests authorization of Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment 2021-#2 to reallocate prior and current resources in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. A summary of the proposed recommendations can be found in the table outlined below.
BACKGROUND:
The 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and 2021 Annual Action Plan were approved by City Council on 2/9/2021, R21-022. A Substantial Amendment to the City’s 2020 and 2021 Annual Action Plans is anticipated for review and approval by City Council on 8/10/2021. This Substantial Amendment is required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) due to additional funding received to support the City’s COVID-19 pandemic response and the creation of new activities proposed in the Plan. Currently, HUD’s program requirements have necessitated a second Substantial Amendment in order to fund additional COVID-19 response activities and to reallocate prior Community Development Block Grant Corona Virus (CDBG-CV) funds to eligible activities. In accordance with HUD requirements, a public comment period was scheduled for 7/25/2021 to 8/24/2021 and a public hearing is scheduled for 8/9/2021 (Please see public notice, Attachment A and public hearing minutes, Attachment E. The Block Grant Working Committee (BGWC) also met to review this item and recommended approval on 8/4/2021 [draft BGWC Minutes, Attachment D]).
DISCUSSION:
Community Development released an application to assist non-profit agencies specializing in providing basic needs to prevent, prepare, and to respond to Corona Virus. An application was released to agencies on 4/26/2021 and was due on 5/14/2021. A total of 14 applications were received, and staff is recommending the approval of the following 8 activities below.
|
Proposed New or Amended CDBG-CV Activity |
Recommended Re/Allocation Amount |
Program Year Funding Source |
Original Funding Allocation |
Project Reallocation Comments |
|
CDBG-2020-CV-11 - Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry - Roof Replacement |
$100,000 |
2020 Community Development Block Grant - Corona Virus Funding (CDBG-CV) |
N/A - New Project |
Funds to be used for roof construction costs. |
|
CDBG-2020-CV-12 - City of Aurora - Financial Empowerment Center |
$50,000 |
2020 Community Development Block Grant - Corona Virus Funding (CDBG-CV) |
N/A - New Project |
Funds to be used for program staff salaries to provide clients with free financial counseling. |
|
CDBG-2020-CV-13 - APS Training Academy - STEAM Training Program |
$50,000 |
2020 Community Development Block Grant - Corona Virus Funding (CDBG-CV) |
N/A - New Project |
Funds to be used for program staff salaries to provide educational opportunities focusing on STEAM education for low income students. |
|
CDBG-2020-CV-14 - NAMI DuPage - Mental Health Education and Support Services |
$40,000 |
2020 Community Development Block Grant - Corona Virus Funding (CDBG-CV) |
N/A - New Project |
Funds to be used for program staff salaries for clients that are experiencing mental health issues. |
|
CDBG-2020-CV-15 - Hesed House - SEEDS Case Management |
$25,000 |
2020 Community Development Block Grant - Corona Virus Funding (CDBG-CV) |
N/A - New Project |
Funds to be used for program staff salaries to assist clients that are experiencing homelessness. |
|
CDBG-2020-CV-16 - Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Kane County - Child Advocacy for Abused and Neglected Children |
$20,000 |
2020 Community Development Block Grant - Corona Virus Funding (CDBG-CV) |
N/A - New Project |
Funds to be used for program staff salaries for child advocacy for abused and neglected children. |
|
CDBG-2020-CV-17 - Northern Illinois Food Bank - Senior Citizen Food Box Program |
$40,000 |
2020 Community Development Block Grant - Corona Virus Funding (CDBG-CV) |
N/A - New Project |
Funds will be used for food distribution for home delivery to senior citizens. |
|
CDBG-2020-CV-18 - Mutual Ground - Case Management |
$50,000 |
2020 Community Development Block Grant - Corona Virus Funding (CDBG-CV) |
N/A - New Project |
Funds will be used for program staff salaries to assist clients experiencing domestic violence. |
|
Estimated Allocation / Reallocation Total |
$375,000 |
Staff requests authorization of Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment 2021-#2 to provide CDBG-CV funding for the projects listed above as a response to the Corona Virus pandemic and other eligible activities.
Eligibility for the activities listed above must meet HUD's National Objective for low and moderate income benefit and also address the City's 2020-2024 Goals and Objectives. Each activity funded with CDBG-CV must meet specific criteria to demonstrate that funds will aid in the prevention, recovery, and response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. A summary of proposed changes to CDBG-CV projects can be found in Attachment B. A copy of each application recommended for funding can be found in Attachment C.
The CDBG-CV funds to be for these expenses are budgeted in the 2021 budget in account 214-1330-801-46-series with a current balance of $689,602.05.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This action will have a positive impact on the City's community development efforts and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval of the proposed Resolution authorizing Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment 2021-#2 to reflect funding allocations for the CDBG Program and approval of an update to the City’s 2020 and 2021 Annual Action Plans. Staff also requests authorization for the City's Mayor, Chief Community Services Officer, Community Development Manager, or their designees to execute any contracts as well as any other documents associated with Substantial Amendment 2021-#2 including but not limited to HUD's program administration requirements.
cc: Alderman Emmanuel Llamas
Alderman Juany Garza
Alderman Theodoros “Ted” Mesiacos
Alderman Bill Donnell
Alderman Carl Franco
Alderman Michael B. Saville
Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns
Alderman Patty Smith
Alderman Edward Bugg
Alderman Judd Lofchie
Alderman Robert O’Connor
Alderman Sherman L. Jenkins
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment 2021-#2 to reallocate prior year resources and current year resources in response to the Corona Virus pandemic and other eligible activities.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, housing activities through funding by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan which have been adopted by the City Council and which have defined priorities for CDBG, HOME, and ESG funding; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora’s Block Grant Working Committee recommended
adoption of Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment 2021-#2 to reflect CDBG-CV funding reallocations at its August 4, 2021 meeting; and
WHEREAS, CDBG-CV funding will be available in the 2021 City Budget CDBG-CV program account (214-1330-801-46-series); and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, finds as facts all of the preamble recitals of this Resolution and hereby approves a Resolution authorizing approval of the Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment (2021-#2) and authorizes the City's Mayor, Chief Community Services Officer, Community Development Manager, or their designees to execute any contracts as well as any other documents associated with these approvals, including but not limited to HUD's program administration requirements.