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MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Carol J. Huchingson, County Administrative Officer
DATE: May 9, 2017
SUBJECT: Public Hearing to Solicit Citizen Input and Receive Comment for Possible Projects for Community Development Block Grant Applications under the 2016 Butte and Valley Wildfire Recovery Disaster Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On September 1, 2016, the State Department of Housing and Community Development announced the availability of $7,592,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funding for recovery efforts relating to the September 2015 Wildfire Disaster #DR-4340-CA NR 016. The NOFA makes funding available to Lake County for direct disaster recovery activities related to the Valley Fire. The deadline for filing applications under this NOFA is September 1, 2017.
Prior to submitting an application, CDBG regulations require that a public hearing be held to present specific information as follows:
1) Explanation of the CDBG Program;
2) Discussion of the National Objectives of the CDBG Program;
3) The amount of funding available and the type of activities that may be funded; and
4) Opportunities for citizen participation, including public hearings and an invitation to submit written comments.
National Objectives: CDBG funded projects must meet at least one of the following National Objectives: 1) benefit to low and moderate income persons; 2) prevention or elimination of slums and blight; or 3) meeting urgent community development needs.
Types of Eligible Activities: Eligible activities under this NOFA include: homeownership assistance and housing rehabilitation programs; public facility and public improvements projects (including public improvements in support of new housing construction); public service programs, planning studies, economic development business assistance and microenterprise activities.
The purpose of this public hearing is to give citizens an opportunity to provide input and make comments regarding the types of eligible activities the County should consider, and for the Board to prioritize the projects chosen for funding applications.
FISCAL IMPACT: __ None _X_Budgeted __Non-Budgeted
Estimated Cost: $7,592,000
Amount Budgeted: $7,592,000
Additional Requested: None
Annual Cost (if planned for future years): N/A
FISCAL IMPACT (Narrative): This is a reimbursable grant. The County will be reimbursed after they apply for funds and provide proof of payment for grant expenditures.
STAFFING IMPACT (if applicable): A consultant has been hired to apply for the grants, but County staff will administer the grants and comply with all CDBG reporting requirements.
Recommended Action
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Following a public hearing, staff requests the Board provide direction on the types of projects needed and the priority ranking of each prospective project. All funding applications will be brought back to the Board for approval prior to submission to CDBG.