Department: Resource Management
Staff Contact: Dianna Wright/Emily Vincent
Subject: Consideration and Approval of 2021 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding recommendations.
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Item Description:
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Consideration and Approval of 2021 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding recommendations.
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Summary:
The City of Olathe has a long-standing cooperative agreement with Johnson County for receiving CDBG funds. As a result of the agreement, the City of Olathe receives 41% of the County’s CDBG funds. The projected 2021 allocation amount is estimated to be $328,000. The City of Olathe and Johnson County utilize the same CDBG application, guidelines and procedures. Olathe is responsible for advertising CBDG grant funding availability, conducting a public hearing, which took place April 21, 2020, overseeing the Olathe application and review process, and making funding recommendations. Olathe received seventeen grant applications, and on May 29, 2020 grant applicants were given an opportunity to present their proposals to a review committee comprised of city staff and community individuals. Recommendations from the committee are as follows;
Public Facilities and Housing -
• City of Olathe Full-Time Community Enhancement Office to conduct inspections on private property in identified low to moderate income areas. $81,000
• City of Olathe Sidewalk Gap Program that constructs missing sidewalk links and replaces sidewalk ramps to meet ADA requirements in older parts of the City. This specific location would improve pedestrian mobility in the neighborhood that feeds into the neighboring Washington Elementary School and Santa Fe Trail Middle school. $94,800
• City of Olathe Housing Rehab Program Administration to help maintain property values and neighborhood quality for low to moderate income eligible homeowners by addressing safety issues, age and disrepair. The administration costs cover employee salaries, benefits, office supplies, software, and marketing costs. $80,000
• Friends of Johnson County Development Services (JCDS) to make accessibility modifications to a 5-bedroom home they own and operate in Olathe. Modifications include widening doorways and remodeling bathrooms. $23,000
Public Services -
• City of Olathe Taxi Coupon Program to provide safe reliable, door to door transportation service for lower income, older adult, and disabled citizens to destinations within the City of Olathe. Through an RFP proposal a transportation company is selected to service this program and an electronic card system is used to document the usage. $28,200
• Catholic Charities on Northeast Kansas Olathe Family Support Center to assist with supporting stable housing to prevent homelessness for low to moderate income households in the City of Olathe through rental and utility assistance. $11,300
• Salvation Army Emergency and Homeless Prevention Program to provide assistance to qualifying Olathe residents. Assistance includes past due rent/utility payments to encourage stability and prevent homelessness. $9,700
If additional funds are allocated by the federal government, the committee is recommending the public services funds be disbursed between all three public service programs and the public facility and housing funds be disbursed to the City of Olathe Sidewalk Gap program. If funds are reduced by federal government, the committee recommends the funds be reduced between the same programs just listed.
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Financial Impact:
Approximately $328,000 in federal funds are being made available to Olathe to address public improvements, housing services, community development, and public services that benefit low to moderate income persons.
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Action Needed:
Approval of the 2021 CDBG funding recommendations.
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Attachment(s):
None