Title
An Ordinance approving an amendment to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2020-21 Annual Action Plan. (Note: First reading done by City Council was done on July 14, 2020. Passed by unanimous vote.)
Body
Issue/Request:
Approval of the amended 2020-21 Annual Action Plan
Background:
In 1994, Lee’s Summit was designated as an Entitlement Community under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This designation gives the City the authority to administer the grant funds within our City. As an Entitlement Community, the City is required to adopt an Annual Action Plan for each program year that summarizes local actions being taken to address specific needs within the community. The City’s most recent Action Plan for program year 2020-21 was adopted by ordinance in May 2020.
Due to COVID-19, the City will receive a special allocation of $219,061 in CDBG funding from the CARES Act to provide relief to low-to-moderate-income individuals affected by the pandemic. These activities must be associated with the preparation, response and/or prevention of COVID-19, and must be within the city limits of Lee’s Summit or provide services to Lee’s Summit residents. With this special allocation, the City is proposing a substantial amendment to the 2020-21 Annual Action Plan.
This amendment includes the following changes:
• Eliminate the 15 percent cap on the amount of grant funds that can be used for public services activities
• Reimbursement of COVID Related Costs- Provides that grantees may use CDBG-CV grant funds to cover or reimburse costs to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, when those costs comply with CDBG requirements
The proposed amendment has been prepared through a public process, which included a press release, an application cycle open to local not-for-profits and other eligible entities, staff evaluation and prioritization of applications received, and staff funding allocation recommendations.
Following the Public Hearing there will be a 5-day public review and comment period.
Proposed City Council Motion:
I move for adoption of an ordinance approving the amendment to the City of Lee's Summit Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2020-21 Annual Action Plan.
Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the City of Lee's Summit Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) amended 2020-21 Annual Action Plan by ordinance.
Presenter
Sarah Tilbury, CDBG Administrator
Amy Koeneman, Administration Manager
Committee Recommendation
The Community and Economic Development Committee approved the Substantial Amendment to the 2020-21 Annual Action Plan by a vote of 2-0 (1 abstain) for City Council consideration.