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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Hearing - BOCC (002)Open Record Public Hearing Department of Commerce — CDBG-PSG 2020 Grant Closeout and 2021 Grant Application May 11, 2021 11:15 a.m. In Attendance: Cindy Carter, Chair Danny E. Stone, Vice -Chair Rob Jones, Member Barbara J. Vasquez, Clerk of the Board Janice Flynn, Administrative Services Coordinator Public: See attached 11:15 a.m. The Commissioners held an Open Record Public Hearing to report on the County's use of 2020 CDBG funds, prepare for the closeout of the 2020 CDBG Public Services Grant No. 20-62210-005 and state Grant County's intention to apply for 2021 CDBG funds from the Washington State Department of Commerce. Present today is Isidra Sanchez, Spanish interpreter, for assistance if needed. Janice Flynn, Administrative Services Coordinator gave an overview of the application and provided the following handouts: 1) Grant County's CDBG Citizen Participation Plan with Grievance Procedure Form. (GC has a high likelihood of applying for Community Development Block Grants in the future and would welcome citizen participation. The plan outlines eligibility guidelines and steps GC will take to procure CDBG funding and community involvement. The grievance procedure form is included. Any input or grievances regarding CDBG grants can be forwarded to me, Janice Flynn at GC Commissioner's Office, PO Box 37 or 35 C Street NW, Ephrata, WA 98823.) 2) Dept of Commerce's Community Development Block Grant Program Handout (This outlines the purpose of CDBG grants) 3) Federal Citizen Participation Requirements for Local Government Applicants to the State CDBG Program. (outlines requirements of the federal government to receive CDBG funds) 4) Letter to Public Hearing Attendees (indicates the Citizen Participation Coordinator and GC's open door policy) Any individuals interested in or requiring technical assistance to become knowledgeable with the CDBG program or who desire to contribute ideas to solving some of the community's needs will be provided assistance upon request to the County's CDBG Citizen Participation Coordinator. The purpose of the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) provided by the Washington State Department of Commerce with federal funds is to grow and improve jobs in WA State by championing thriving communities, a prosperous economy and suitable infrastructure. Economic Opportunity Grants are for state and local priority projects. CDBG-PSG contract #20-62210-005 provided funding of $120,684.00. Candi Jaeger and Isidra Sanchez with the Prosperity Center of OIC of Washington will now provide a report of the 2020 program activities that were undertaken with the CDBG funds. Grant County intends to apply for and it is anticipated CDBG funds of $126,580 will be made available in 2021. Candi & Isidra will now provide input on activities planned for the 2021 funds. No proposed activities will result in displacement of any individuals. The Resolution with Certification of Compliance is required and needs to be signed by the BOCC Chair. NEPA form 6-G is required and needs to be signed by the BOCC Chair. SEPA form 6-H is required and needs to be signed by the BOCC Chair. Amongst other things, the Resolution referenced certifies Grant County has adopted a policy to reduce greenhouse gases, a policy prohibiting the use of excessive force and an anti -displacement plan. The NEPA & SEPA forms determine exemptions from environmental review due to the nature of the proposed use of funds. Candi Jaeger, Housing Director for the OIC of Washington, gave an update on the past year. We have 4 programs that serve Grant and Adams Counties. Energy Assistance, Housing/Credit/Business Counseling services, Weatherization services and Farmworker services. OIC has been closed to the public since March 16th 2020 due to Covid-19. All services have been administered via phone, Zoom, email, internet and snail mail. We never shut down but did streamline how we assist clients and have continue uninterrupted service since the beginning of the Pandemic. In addition to our regular CDBG, as you know, our Housing program was awarded Covid CARES funds for rent, mortgage and micro -business assistance programs. Since February 2021 to present we have granted $58,332 to residents of Grant County. Additionally, over the last 12 months we have had 1612 one-on-one counseling appointments, had over 3000 counseling hours and had 10 First Time Homebuyer Zoom classes where 129 people have attended. Our Weatherization program has weatherized 10 homes in Grant County which consists of $241,538 and 6 homes in Adams county which consists of $85.,635. We have partnered with Housing Authority and HopeSource to administer T -Rap funds but 1 will let Isidra Sanchez update you on that when she presents the Energy program after me. The Federal and State Governments are expecting a huge rental eviction and foreclosure crisis come the end of June 2021 when the eviction/foreclosure moratorium is lifted. The federal government has awarded Washington State an additional 174 million for housing/rental/counseling/legal assistance for renters and homeowners. These funds should be divided and awarded to organizations across the state within the next 90 days. Next year's CDBG Grant period will be a lot of housing assistance both pre -purchase for those purchasing homes but likely most clients will be eviction/foreclosure clients. We will still hold our one-on-one counseling sessions and continue with homebuyer classes. Being only one of two agencies in Eastern Washington to serve Grant, Adams, Yakima, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Kittitas, Okanogan and Walla Walla Counties I suspect the next 12 months may be historically busy for O/C's Housing programs. Isidra Sanchez, gave an update of the Weatherization program for the last year: We have moved away from traditional in person intakes to phone and have relied heavily on Mail in Drop off of documentation. Total Household Served LIHEAP/AVISTA: 2162 Total Dollars Awarded: $857,905 Although we could not meet with individuals to thoroughly on Conservation education, we were able to provide an informational handout. To better address the need for energy conservation, in the month June, we will partner with area foodbanks to distribute Energy Kits to our clients. The program has expanded services with T -RAP funds which was awarded to the agency at the end of April. This funding will ding to assist families with past due utility assistance. In partnership with AVISTA, we will be assisting families, who are in arrears, meet 200% FPL, and can cover past due of up to $2,500.00. Resolution must be signed and NEPA/SEPA forms must be signed. A motion was made by Commissioner Stone, seconded by Commissioner Jones to close the public comment portion of the hearing. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Jones moved to approve the closeout of the PSG Grant No. 20-62210-005 and approve the 2021 application for submittal as presented. Commissioner Stone seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The hearing adjourned.