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8/10/2021 - ITEM 4 - CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FY 2019-2020 ACTION PLANAGENDA ITEM NO.4 AGENDA STAFF REPORT City of West Covina I Office of the City Manager DATE: August 10, 2021 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: David Carmany City Manager SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FY 2019-2020 ACTION PLAN RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council take the following actions: 1. Approve the proposed amendment to the CDBG FY 2019-2020 Action Plan; and 2. Approve the following Resolution: RESOLUTION NO.2021-90 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2021 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2022 (CDBG-CV AAP AMENDMENT) BACKGROUND: The City receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The overall objective of the federal program is to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and expand economic opportunities principally for low and moderate income persons. On June 4, 2019, the City Council approved the City's FY 2019-2020 Action Plan, which describes how funds will be used to achieve community development goals. According to HUD regulations, these plans can be amended at any time, with proper notice and considered in a public hearing. On March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also referred to as the CARES Act, a $2 trillion emergency package intended to support individuals and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn. The CARES Act provides $5 billion in federal Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funding to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. West Covina was previously allocated $473,804. The City was allocated an $709,140 in additional CDBG-CV funding for a total of $1,182,944. The funding will be administered under CDBG regulations, with specific waivers and flexibilities from HUD. 1/2 DISCUSSION: Including this funding for activities requires the City to amend its FY 2019-2020 Action Plan. The City is proposing to amend its FY 2019-2020 Action Plan to include CDBG-CV funding and CDBG-CV funded activities. Pre -award costs for such activities may be incurred, consistent with HUD regulations (24 CFR 270.200(h)). The proposed amendment consists of including the new allocation of $790,140 in CDBG-CV funding for public social services to respond to COVID-19 challenges, in the FY 2019-2020 Action Plan. The City may approve subsequent amendments to the Plan relative to activities and funding allocations. The CARES Act requires a 5-day public review period. The public review period began on August 5, 2021. No comments have been received as of the writing of this report. The proposed amendment to the Action Plan requires HUD approval. fi10XV4FI Ali/W&V The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the resolution and approved it as to form. OPTIONS: The City Council has the following options: 1. Approve the staff recommendation; or 2. Provide alternative direction. Prepared by: Kelly McDonald, Public Services Manager Fiscal Impact FISCAL IMPACT: The City will receive an allocation of $709,140 in CDBG-CV fund through the CARES Act. Approval of the attached budget amendment is necessary to appropriate funding. There will be no impact to the General Fund resulting from the amendment. Attachments Attachment No. 1 - Quick Guide to CDBG Eligible Activities Attachment No. 2 - CARES Flexibilities Attachment No. 3 - Budget Amendment CITY Respond to the Global COVID-19 Pandemic COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES: 212 ATTACHMENT NO. 1 Quick Guide to CDBG Eligible Activities to Support Coronavirus and Other Infectious Disease Response REVISED April 6, 2020 Grantees should coordinate with local health authorities before undertaking any activity to support state or local pandemic response. Grantees may use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for a range of eligible activities that prevent and respond to the spread of infectious diseases such as the coronavirus. Examples of Eligible Activities to Support Coronavirus and Other Infectious Disease Response For more information, refer to applicable sections of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (for State CDBG Grantees) and CDBG regulations (for Entitlement CDBG grantees). Buildings and Improvements, Including Public Facilities Acquisition, construction, Construct a facility for testing, diagnosis, or treatment. reconstruction, or installation of public works, facilities, and Rehabilitate a community facility to establish an infectious disease treatment clinic. Acquire and rehabilitate, or construct, a group living facility that may be used to centralize patients undergoing treatment. site or other improvements. See section 105(a)(2) (42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(2)); 24 CFR 570.201(c). Rehabilitation of buildings and Rehabilitate a commercial building or closed school building to establish an infectious improvements (including disease treatment clinic, e.g., by replacing the HVAC system. interim assistance). See section 105(a)(4) (42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(4)); 24 CFR Acquire, and quickly rehabilitate (if necessary) a motel or hotel building to expand capacity of hospitals to accommodate isolation of patients during recovery. Make interim improvements to private properties to enable an individual patient to 570.201(0; 570.202(b). remain quarantined on a temporary basis. Assistance to Businesses, including Special Economic Development Assistance Provision of assistance to Provide grants or loans to support new businesses or business expansion to create jobs private, for -profit entities, and manufacture medical supplies necessary to respond to infectious disease. when appropriate to carry out an economic development project. See section 105 a O( 17) (42 Avoid job loss caused by business closures related to social distancing by providing short-term working capital assistance to small businesses to enable retention of jobs held by low- and moderate -income persons. U.S.C. 5305(a)(17)); 24 CFR 570.203(b). Provision of assistance to Provide technical assistance, grants, loans, and other financial assistance to establish, microenterprises. stabilize, and expand microenterprises that provide medical, food delivery, cleaning, See section 105(a)(22) (42 and other services to support home health and quarantine. U.S.C. 5305(a)(22)); 24 CFR 570.201(o). Provision of New or Quantifiably Increased Public Services Following enactment of the Carry out job training to expand the pool of health care workers and technicians that CARES Act', the public are available to treat disease within a community. services cap' has no effect on CDBG-CV grants and no Provide testing, diagnosis or other services at a fixed or mobile location. Increase the capacity and availability of targeted health services for infectious disease response within existing health facilities. effect on FY 2019 and 2020 CDBG grant funds used for coronavirus efforts. Provide equipment, supplies, and materials necessary to carry -out a public service. See section 105(a)(8) (42 Deliver meals on wheels to quarantined individuals or individuals that need to maintain social distancing due to medical vulnerabilities. U.S.C. 5305(a)(8)); 24 CFR 570.201(e). PI ning, Capacity Building, and Technical Assistance States only: planning grants Grant funds to units of general local government may be used for planning activities and planning only grants. in conjunction with an activity, they may also be used for planning only as an activity. See section 105(a)(12). These activities must meet or demonstrate that they would meet a national objective. These activities are subject to the State's 20 percent administration, planning and technical assistance cap. States only: use a part of to Grant funds to units of general local government to hire technical assistance providers support TA and capacity to deliver CDBG training to new subrecipients and local government departments that building. are administering CDBG funds for the first time to assist with infectious disease See section 106(d)(5) (42 U.S.C. 5306(d)(5). response. This activity is subject to the State's 3 percent administration, planning and technical assistance cap. Entitlement only: data Gather data and develop non -project specific emergency infectious disease response gathering, studies, analysis, plans. and preparation of plans and the identification of actions that will implement such plans. See 24 CFR 570.205. Planning Considerations Infectious disease response conditions rapidly evolve and may require changes to the planned use of funds: • CDBG grantees must amend their Consolidated Annual Action Plan (Con Plan) when there is a change to the allocation priorities or method of distribution of funds; an addition of an activity not described in the plan; or a change to the purpose, scope, location, or beneficiaries of an activity (24 CFR 91.505). • If the changes meet the criteria for a "substantial amendment" in the grantee's citizen participation plan, the grantee must follow its citizen participation process for amendments (24 CFR 91.105 and 91.115). • Under the CARES Act, CDBG grantees may amend citizen participation and Con Plans concurrently in order to establish and implement expedited procedures with a comment period of no less than 5-days. Resources The Department has technical assistance providers that may be available to assist grantees in their implementation of CDBG funds for activities to prevent or respond to the spread of infectious disease. Please contact your local CPD Field Office Director to request technical assistance from HUD staff or a TA provider. • Submit your questions to: CPDOuestionsAnswerednhud.gov • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Resources: hms://www.hud.izov/coronavirus • CPD Program Guidance and Training: https://www.hudexchange.info/program-support ' On March 27, 2020, President Trump approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Public Law 116-136) (CARES Act). The CARES Act makes available $5 billion in CDBG coronavirus response (CDBG-CV) funds to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. 2 Section 105(a)(8) of the HCD Act caps public service activities at 15 percent of most CDBG grants. Some grantees have a different percentage cap. ATTACHMENT NO.2 ,YfHrY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT 04 I II II WASHINGTON, DC 20410-7000 9 April 2020 ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MEMORANDUM FOR: All Fiscal Year 2020 and 2019 CDBG and CDBG-CV Grantees and All CPD Field Office Directors FROM: John Gibbs, Acting Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development SUBJECT: CARES Act Flexibilities for CDBG Funds Used to Support Coronavirus Response and plan amendment waiver The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (Public Law 116-136) makes available $5 billion in supplemental Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for grants to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus (CDBG-CV grants)_ Additionally, the CARES Act provides CDBG grantees with flexibilities that make it easier to use CDBG-CV grants and fiscal years 2019 and 2020 CDBG Grants for coronavirus response and authorizes HUD to grant waivers and alternative requirements. The Department has announced the allocations of the first $2 billion in CARES Act funding for CDBG grantees, as well as $1 billion for Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) and $53.7 million for Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA). You can find the allocations at www.hud.eov/oroeram offices/comm nlannine/budeet/fv20/. This memorandum transmits the attached CARESAct Flexibilities for CDBG Funds Used to Support Coronavirus Response Guide (Guide). The Guide describes the immediate availability of a 5-day public comment period for amendments and new plan submissions, uncaps the percentage of CDBG funding for public services to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, as well as other flexibilities. Please note that these new provisions are not only applicable to the $5 billion in CDBG funding from the CARES Act but many of the new provisions are also applicable to FY2019and FY2020 CDBG funding. This broad applicability provides grantees with flexibility to help address the challenges facing our nation. Grantees are advised to amend or prepare their plans as soon as possible and not to wait for the pending Federal Register notice, which may provide additional waivers and alternative requirements. Similarly, grantees should not wait for HUD to allocate the remaining nearly $3 billion of the $5 billion provided by the CARES Act for the CDBG program. Upon publication of the Federal Register notice and subsequent allocations, grantees receiving allocations will then amend plans accordingly. Grantees should proceed with all amendments and plans under these new provisions by adding the CDBG-CV allocation in their plans as an available resource for the year. The CARES Act permits HUD to waive, or specify alternative requirements for, any provision of any statute or regulation that the Secretary administers in connection with the CDBG-CV funds, FY2019 and FY2020 CDBG funds (except for requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment), upon a finding by the Secretary that any such waivers or w .hud.gov espanol.hud.gov alternative requirements are necessary to expedite or facilitate the use of such amounts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. To expedite grantees' use of CDBG-CV funds, HUD is waiving the requirements at 42 U.S.C. 12705(a)(2) to the extent it requires updates to the housing and homeless needs assessment, housing market analysis, and strategic plan and 24 CFR 91.220 and 91.320 to the extent the action plan is limited to a specific program year to permit grantees to prepare substantial amendments to their most recent annual action plan, including their 2019 annual action plan. Grantees must identify the proposed use of all funds and how the funds will be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavims. The Department is also waiving 24 CFR 91.505 to facilitate the use of the CDBG-CV funds to the extent necessary to require submission of the substantial amendment to HUD for review in accordance with 24 CFR 91.500. To receive a CDBG-CV grant, a grantee must also submit a SF- 424, SF-424D and the certifications at 24 CFR 91.225(a) and (b) or 24 CFR 91325(a) and (b)_ The Guide addresses many of the Field's initial questions. Email inquiries to CPDOuestionsAnsweredQhud.gov will continue to receive individual replies and guidance. HUD will also be batching questions and responses and periodically making them available as FAQs. Additional resources will continue to be posted to www.hudexchange.info/proffams/cdbg/diseaseJ. Thank you for the work you and your staff do with our communities in the fight against the coronavirus. CARES Act Flexibilities for CDBG Funds Used to Support Coronavirus Response April 9, 2020 President Trump has signed The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic SecurityAct (CARES Act). The CARES Act: • Makes available $5 billion in supplemental Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for grants to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus (CDBG-CV grants); • Provides flexibilities for CDBG grantees to make it easier to use CDBG-CV grants and fiscal years 2019 and 2020 CDBG grants for coronavirus response and authorizes HUD to grant waivers and alternative requirements; • Requires CDBG-CV grantees to prevent the duplication of benefits, which means grant funds may not be used to pay costs if another source of financial assistance is available to pay that cost. HUD will publish a Federal Register notice describing the requirements for CDBG-CV grants. The notice will also include waivers and alternative requirements for CDBG-CV and fiscal year 2019 and 2020 CDBG grants. A grantee may submit a CDBG-CV action plan substantial amendment to its most recent accepted CDBG action plan for the first CDBG-CV allocation before the notice is published. To apply for CDBG-CV grants, grantees may follow existing regulatory requirements for a substantial amendment to the grantee's action plan that describes the amount of CDBG-CV funds available in the first allocation and planned use of funds, in accordance with existing requirements and the flexibilities in the CARES Act, summarized below. HUD will publish a Q&A document with further information on this process. Grantees may use CDBG-CV and CDBG funds for a range of activities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. For examples, see the Quick Guide to CDBG Activities for Infectious Disease Response. Summary of CARES Act Provisions for Coronavirus Response With CDBG-CV and CDBG Grants For more information, refer to applicable sections of the CARES Act, Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (for State CDBG Grantees) and CDBG regulations (for Entitlement CDBG grantees). Description of Program Flexibility Applicability to CDBG-CV and CDBG Grants Public Service Activities Eliminates the 15 percent cap' on the amount of CDBG-CV Immediately grant funds that can be used for public services Available activities. Following enactment, the cap in section 105(a)(8) of CDBG FY 19 and Immediately the HCD Act and 24 CFR 570.201(e) has no effect on FY 20 Grants Available CDBG Grants Not v CDBG-CV grants and no effect on FY2019 and 2020 CDBG grant funds used for coronavirus efforts. before FY 19 Available X Reimbursement of Costs Provides that grantees may use CDBG-CV grant CDBG-CV Immediately funds to cover or reimburse costs to prevent, prepare Available for, and respond to coronavirus incurred by a State or locality, regardless of the date on which such costs CDBG FY 19 and See current x were incurred, when those costs comply with CDBG FY 20 Grants regulations. requirements. For other grants, pre -agreement and pre -award cost authority is available under 24 CFR CDBG Grants See current x 570.489(b) (states) and 570.200(h) (entitlements). before FY 19 regulations. Section 105(a)(8) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, provides a different percentage cap for some grantees. Description of Program Flexibility Applicability to CDBG-CV and CDBG Grants Citizen Participation and Public Hearings for Consolidated Plans (including Action Plans) Provides that grantees may amend citizen CDBG-CV Immediately participation plans to establish expedited procedures Available to draft, propose, or amend consolidated plans. Expedited procedures must include notice and CDBG FY 19 and Immediately reasonable opportunity to comment of no less than 5 FY 20 Grants Available days. The 5-day period can run concurrently for comments on the action plan amendment and CDBG Grants Not X amended citizen participation plans. before FY 19 Available In -person public hearings are not required. Grantees may meet public hearing requirements with virtual public hearings if: 1) national/local health authorities recommend social distancing and limiting public gatherings for public health reasons; and 2) virtual hearings provide reasonable notification and access for citizens in accordance with the grantee's certifications, timely responses from local officials to all citizen questions and issues, and public access to all questions and responses. Deadline to Submit Consolidated Plans (including Annual Action Plans Extends the deadline for grantees to submit action CDBG-CV Immediately plans and other updates to their consolidated plans Available submissions for fiscal years 2019* and 2020 to CDBG FY 19* and Immediately August 16, 2021. Without extension, the deadline for fiscal year 2020 FY 20 Grants Available. grants would be August 16, 2020, in accordance with section 116(b) of the HCD Act and 24 CFR 91.15. CDBG Grants Not x *The deadline for fiscal year 2019 passed on August before FY 19 applicable. 16, 2019 (plans due then have been submitted). giver and Alternative Requirement Authority Authorizes the Secretary to issue statutory and CDBG-CV Immediately regulatory waivers/altemative requirements for Available CDBG-CV and some CDBG funds when necessary CDBG FY 19 and Immediately to expedite or facilitate the use of grant funds to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. FY 20 Grants Available. Prohibits waivers/alternative requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and CDBG Grants Not x the environment. before FY 19 applicable. HUD has additional regulatory waiver and statutory suspension authorities that it may use for CDBG Grants before fiscal year 2019 if necessary. Submit your questions to: CPDOuestionsAnsweredCchhud.gov ATTACHMENT NO.3 RESOLUTION NO.2021-90 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2021 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2022 (CDBG-CV AAP AMENDMENT) WHEREAS, the City Manager, on or about June 15, 2021, submitted to the City Council a proposed budget for the appropriation and expenditure of funds for the City for West Covina for Fiscal Year 2021-22; and WHEREAS, following duly given notice and prior to budget adoption, the City Council held public meetings, considered and evaluated all comments, and adopted a budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022; and WHEREAS, amendments must periodically be made to the budget to conform to changed circumstances following adoption of the budget. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The City Council hereby approves Budget Amendment No. 013, attached hereto as Exhibit A, related to CDBG-CV funds. SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall enter the same in the book of original resolutions and it shall become effective immediately. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this IOth day of August, 2021. APPROVED AS TO FORM Thomas P. Duarte City Attorney Letty Lopez-Viado Mayor ATTEST Lisa Sherrick Assistant City Clerk I, LISA SHERRICK, Assistant City Clerk of the City of West Covina, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2021-90 was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of West Covina, California, at a regular meeting thereof held on the 1 Oth day of August, 2021, by the following vote of the City Council: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Lisa Sherrick Assistant City Clerk EXHIBIT A BUDGET AMENDMENT CITY OF WEST COVINA BUDGET AMENDMENT Date: 8/10/21 Requested by: Kelly McDonald Dept/Div: Public Services EXPENDITURES BA # 013 Posted By: Date Posted: Fiscal Year: 2021-2022 Amount: CDBG-CV $709,140 Account Number Dept/Account Description Current Budget Proposed Amendment Amended Budget 225.61.5121.6120 Contract Services 96 300.00 709 140.00 805 440.00 REVENUES Account Number Account Description Current Budget Proposed Amendment Amended Budget 225.61.4551 CDBG-CV 96 300.00 709 140.00 805 440.00 REASON/JUSTIFICATION (Please be specific) Federal funds to respond to COVID-19 pandemic APPROVALS City Council Approval Date (if required, attach minutes): Dept Head Approval: Date: Finance Director: Date: Funds Available? ❑ Yes ❑No ❑ Approval Not Required City Manager: Date: Comment: ❑ Approved ❑ Denied