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TO: Mayor Robert J. O’Connor
FROM: Daniel Barreiro, Chief Community Services Officer
DATE: March 20, 2017
SUBJECT:
Resolution Authorizing an Annual Action Plan Amendment (2015 - #5) for the Community Development Block Grant Program - Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry Vehicular/Pedestrian Safety Project
PURPOSE:
Staff requests authorization to modify the scope of work for the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry Parking Lot Vehicular and Pedestrian Safety Improvements Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") Project.
BACKGROUND:
The City approved funding for the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry ("AIF") Parking Lot Vehicular and Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project on April 28, 2015 via R15-117. A request to further clarify and categorize the CDBG funds that were allocated to the project was later approved by the City on April 12, 2016 via R16-108.
At the time of City's CDBG funding approval for the AIF project, the project was divided into two phases. Phase 1 consisted of on-site improvements to the AIF's existing parking lot and Phase 2 included the future expansion of the parking lot area through the acquisition of adjacent property. CDBG funds in the amount of $150,000 were granted to the AIF to provide funding assistance for the Phase 1 construction costs only. Subsequent to receiving the City's CDBG funding approval, the AIF determined that the consolidation of the project's two phases into one single project would be of increased benefit. To move the project forward and as per the City's Citizen Participation Plan, any amendments to a project's original scope of work must be approved via an Amendment to the City's Annual Action Plan.
DISCUSSION:
The AIF's amended proposal now includes the acquisition of a portion of 1128 Jericho Rd. to create a second entrance off of Jericho Rd. on the west side of the building, to construct a parking lot at the southwestern corner of the property, and to install a sidewalk from the proposed parking lot to the entrance of the building. Because the project’s scope of work has changed due to the inclusion of the proposed activity’s acquisition activity which will expand the project’s originally approved parking lot area, the project is considered an “amendment” as per the City’s Citizen Participation Plan. Although the scope of work has been amended, the City’s CDBG funds will remain at $150,000.00 and allocated towards the project’s construction costs as was originally approved.
The amendment to the AIF 2015 CDBG project was presented to the Block Grant Working Committee for approval on March 1, 2017. City staff, upon recommendation from the Block Grant Working Committee, are seeking approval from the City Council for to amend the project's scope of work (Attachment 1).
The City’s Citizen Participation Plan, requires that a notice be placed in a local newspaper of record (please see Attachment 2) to establish a 30-day public comment period. This amendment's notice was published on March 5, 2017, opening the public comment period which will end on April 11, 2017, at which time the Amendment will be brought to the City Council for approval.
The City's CDBG projects can only be amended with the consent of the City Council. This Amendment to a 2015 AIF project does not increase its allocation, but will allow the AIF to move forward on utilizing its CDBG funds on the project's revised scope of work.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
No additional staff or equipment resources will be required for this request.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Amendment to the 2015 Annual Action Plan for the 2015 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry Vehicular/Pedestrian Safety Project and to authorize the Mayor, Chief Community Services Officer or their designee are authorized to execute contracts and documents associated with this Amendment.
cc: Alderman O’Connor, Chairman
Alderman Mervine
Alderman Bohman
Alderman Mesiacos, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution Authorizing an Annual Action Plan Amendment (2015 - #5) for the Community Development Block Grant Program - Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry Vehicular/Pedestrian Safety Project.
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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, the City of Aurora has initiated numerous community development and housing activities through funding by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); 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 funding; and
WHEREAS, on April 28, 2015 via R15-117, the City of Aurora approved the use of CDBG funds for Phase 1 of the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry's Vehicular/Pedestrian Safety Two-Phased Project; and
WHEREAS, on April 12, 2016 via R16-108, the City of Aurora approved an amendment to further clarify the project's CDBG funding allocation; and
WHEREAS, since the time of the project's original CDBG funding approval, the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry determined that it would be of benefit to combine the project's second phase with Phase 1 and requested an amendment to the CDBG project's scope of work to include the acquisition of a portion of 1128 Jericho Road to further expand the parking lot vehicular and safety improvements; and
WHEREAS, the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry's CDBG funding allocation in the amount of $150,000 will remain the same and be used for construction and lighting costs; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora’s Block Grant Working Committee recommended approval for an Amendment to the 2015 Annual Action Plan to modify the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry Vehicular/Pedestrian Safety Project scope of work at its March 1, 2017 meeting; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora and Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry desire to execute an amended Subrecipient Agreement to complete the project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Annual Action Plan Amendment (2015 - #5) to Reflect an Amendment for the Community Development Block Grant Program - Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry Vehicular/Pedestrian Safety Project is hereby approved, and that the Mayor, Chief Community Services Officer or their designees are authorized to execute the amended CDBG subrecipient agreement with Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry and any other documents associated with this Amendment, including but not limited to HUD's program administration requirements.