AGENDA MEMORANDUM

Meeting Date:           June 13, 2011

From:                          Chris Edwards, Community Redevelopment Coordinator

                                    Kenneth L. Thomas, Director of Housing & Economic Development

Subject:                      Public Hearing to determine the category for an application for the new Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Cycle

Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit a grant application

Staff Recommendation:

Staff recommends authorization for the City Manager to submit a grant application in the Neighborhood Revitalization category for the CDBG Funding Cycle.  Additionally, staff recommends the Neighborhood Revitalization category grant be identified as a priority project for funding.

Analysis:

The City of Leesburg is eligible to receive up to $750,000 Community Development Block Grant funding in the 2011 funding cycle.  The purpose of the first public hearing is to select the appropriate grant category or categories in which the City wishes to apply for funding.  The City can apply for funding in multiple categories, but funding will only be provided in one category.  The exception to this rule is that the City can apply in the Economic Development category at any point during the year, regardless of whether funding is received in one of the other categories.  The four grant categories are described as follows:

Housing

This grant category provides financial assistance to repair or replace existing homes.  The occupants of each housing unit must meet maximum household income limits to qualify for assistance. 

Neighborhood Revitalization

Funding from this grant category can be used to install or replace infrastructure in residential neighborhoods.  Infrastructure can include water lines, wastewater lines, storm water and street paving.  The majority of the households serviced by the infrastructure to be constructed within the residential neighborhood must meet the low to moderate income requirements.

Commercial Revitalization

This grant category provides funds for streetscape improvements, under-grounding of electric utilities and parking facilities. 

Economic Development

This funding category is designed to provide funding to create new jobs.  The funds can be used for construction of private business facilities or for the installation of public utilities necessary for the job-creating business.  Note:  This funding category is not subject to the funding cycle deadline and funds are available throughout the year.

Upon selection of the grant category or categories by the City Commission, staff will work with the grant writing consultant to develop grant applications.  The projects will be reviewed at a second public hearing prior to submission to the grant agency.  Additionally, the Citizen Advisory Task Force (CATF) appointed by the City Commission will also review the proposed project and provide a recommendation to the City Commission.

The neighborhood revitalization funds will be utilized for improvements to the area in and around the intersection of the Beecher Street/ Griffin Road Drainage System and to complete Underground Utility Conversions and service connections within the Carver Heights/Montclair Area community.

Options:

1. Submit application in the Neighborhood Revitalization grant category; or
2. Such alternative action as the Commission may deem appropriate.

Fiscal Impact: 

The grant match of $125,000 has been approved in the adopted 2011-20 Capital Improvement Plan under the Electric Department.  The Electric Department will fund the match as part of its FY 2011/2012 proposed budget to complete Phase 4 of the Underground Utility Project for Carver Heights.

Submission Date and Time:    6/10/2011 12:42 PM____

Department: ______________________ Prepared by:  ______________________                      Attachments:         Yes____   No ______ Advertised:   ____Not Required ______ Dates:   __________________________                      Attorney Review :       Yes___  No ____ _________________________________            Revised 6/10/04

Reviewed by: Dept. Head ________ Finance  Dept. ______JB__________                                    Deputy C.M. ___________________                                          Submitted by: City Manager ___________________

Account No. _________________ Project No. ___________________ WF No. ______________________ Budget  ______________________ Available _____________________

RESOLUTION NO._________

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION, OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT A FUNDING REQUEST FOR $750,000 TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING FUNDING FOR A NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT; ESTABLISHING NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION AS A PRIORITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA:

1. THAT the City Manager is hereby authorized to submit a funding request for $750,000 to the Florida Department of Community Affairs for a Neighborhood Revitalization Category of the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program and establishing neighborhood revitalization as a priority for the City, if the application is in the fundable range.

2. That the City Commission hereby commits to provide a match of $125,000 to the Neighborhood Revitalization grant application; and

 THAT this resolution shall become effective immediately.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of Leesburg, Florida, at a regular meeting held the 13^th day of June, 2011.

                                                                            __________________________

                                                                             Mayor

ATTEST:

__________________________

City Clerk