CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

Department:	City Manager’s Office		Commission Meeting Date:  02/19/2019
Staff Contact:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager Danielle Buschkoetter, Budget and Strategic Initiatives Manager Danelle Walters, Community Development Manager
Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:
Adopt on first reading, Ordinance No. 9648, dissolving the Community Development Advisory Committee effective June 30, 2019, and repealing an outdated version of the Citizen Participation Plan; and adopt on first reading, Ordinance No. 9650, adding responsibilities to the Affordable Housing Advisory Board regarding recommendations of HOME investment partnership fund allocations, currently a responsibility of the Community Development Advisory Committee.
Executive Summary:		On June 20, 2017, the Governing Body adopted a Strategic Plan and one of the priority initiatives of the adopted Strategic Plan is to “Inventory and evaluate the role of existing advisory boards and commissions, identify opportunities to consolidate or sunset as appropriate, and adopt consistent operating guidelines.” At the November 20, 2018 City Commission meeting, the City Commission had discussion about certain staff recommendations regarding the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) and the Affordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB).   The Commission also briefly spoke about the Social Services Funding Advisory Board.  The City Commission directed staff to place an agenda item on a February agenda for additional discussion about these boards.  The discussion at the November 20 meeting specifically related to this staff recommendation: Return formal consideration of merging the Community Development Advisory Committee into the Affordable Housing Advisory Board. Staff had previously suggested the merger of the Communication Development Advisory Committee into the Social Services Funding Board.  Upon further review by staff, we suggest alignment of the Community Development Advisory Committee function, which is the review and recommendation of CDBG and HOME funds, into the responsibilities of the Affordable Housing Advisory Board.  We believe that there is a strong connection between the HOME funds and affordable housing, but also a strong connection between CDBG funds and affordable housing priorities, such as rehab, weatherization, direct capital improvements in low/moderate neighborhoods, etc.  In our research of other communities, many are utilizing their CDBG and HOME funds to align with other funding sources to address the affordable housing issues.  This enables a coordinated approach for these limited funds.  If that approach were desired, the Social Service Funding Advisory Board would continue to operate as it has been with no changes.  Commission direction is sought on this topic.  Discussion was held on the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) and staff had indicated that they would bring back a plan for consolidation of the CDAC duties in regard to existing City platforms.  Since that meeting, staff has met several times and looked at existing boards and existing department budget procedures to determine a recommendation for the best fit of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) allocation processes.  After reviewing options, Staff determined that there were alternatives to the CDAC already in place for the recommendation of CDBG and HOME grant funding.  These recommendations would take place following the 2019 Program Year, which is currently in the process of recommending allocations. For the 2020 Program Year (8/1/20 – 7/31/21) and beyond, staff is recommending that HOME funding be added to the charge of the AHAB.  HOME is an affordable housing grant and falls in line with the duties of the AHAB.  Adding this responsibility to the AHAB requires an ordinance changing the AHAB’s duties to reflect this additional responsibility.  For the 2020 Program Year (8/1/20 – 7/31/21) and beyond, staff is recommending that the CDBG funding fall under the Planning and Development Services Department portion of the City Manager’s proposed budget.  Identification of application items, recommendation criteria, and the funding plan will be determined after the completion of the 2019 funding recommendations.  Staff will amend the Citizen Participation Plan to outline the new process, as well as speak to the citizen input avenues and two required public hearings.  The Citizen Participation Plan will come back to the City Commission for formal adoption in the summer/fall.
Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor		Safe, Healthy, and Welcoming Neighborhoods
Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source):		There is no fiscal impact to the City.  The proposed changes allow HOME funds to be better aligned with the mission of affordable housing.
Attachments:		Ordinance No. 9648 Ordinance No. 9650

Reviewed By: (for CMO use only)

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