TO: Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Cale Curtis, City Manager
DATE: July 8, 2020
Title
RESOLUTION - AMENDING THE CITY OF MARGATE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) 2015-2019 CONSOLIDATED PLAN, FISCAL YEAR 2019-2020 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN, AND CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH BROWARD COUNTY RETROACTIVE TO MARCH 27, 2020; PROVIDING FOR CDBG CARES ACT FUNDING, ADMINISTRATION, ACTIVITIES, AND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD; PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE.
BACKGROUND: The City of Margate was notified by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in a letter dated April 2, 2020, that the City will be receiving a $224,749 allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This allocation was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136, which was signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020.
At the April 29, 2020 City Commission Meeting, consensus was provided by the City Commission for the County to administer the program and the activities proposed for the funding. At that meeting, the Commission was advised that the proposed activities, which were provided by Broward County, included funding for Meals on Wheels, rental assistance, and utility bill assistance. Broward County has since narrowed the activities to Meals on Wheels and rental assistance. Utility assistance is still being made available to City residents through other programs including the Broward County Agency, Family Success Administration Division (FSAD) Housing Options Program (HOP) and the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program.
The Meals on Wheels activity will be as a subrecipient allocation, based upon the increase of meals as a result of COVID-19. It will be based upon meals delivered within the City of Margate to those that were not previously receiving meals or need more frequent meals than what they were receiving (increase in services). It cannot be a duplication of services or supplant existing funding/services. Other cities will also be participating in this activity based upon need in their area.
Rental assistance will be a direct allocation to County Agency, Family Success Administration Division (FSAD) Housing Options Program (HOP). The County already has an Inter-agency MOU with FSAD and the City has historically referred residents to FSAD/HOP when they are having difficulty with rent and utilities.
Selection of recipients will be based upon already established program guidelines, for Meals on Wheels and FSAD, that are consistent with the CARES program. Neither the County or the City would select the recipients and the City would refer residents to these agencies for the funding.
All administration, billing, and reimbursement will be handled by Broward County at the reimbursement rate allowed for by HUD and CDBG program guidelines. Broward County has advised City staff that the CARES Act has provided for a waiver of several CDBG requirements in order to bring the funding, as quickly and efficiently as possible, to those that need it most.
Therefore, the County has been prioritizing providing for the program requirements to implement these activities and will bring the ILA to the City for legal review and execution, at a later date. Broward County has requested that staff seek City Commission approval for retroactive application of the ILA to March 27, 2020 (the date the CARES Act was signed by President Trump), subject to legal review by the City Attorney.
Substantial amendments to the City’s 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan (see pages 37 and 45-46 of the Plan), Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Action Plan, and Citizen Participation Plan are needed to provide for this funding and associated activities.
RECOMMENDATION: City Staff recommends approval.
FISCAL IMPACT: $224,749 in federal funds to Margate homeowners for meals and rental assistance
CONTACT PERSON: Cale Curtis, City Manager, 954-935-5300
Yvette Lopez, Manager, Broward County Housing Finance and Community Redevelopment Division, 954-357-4930