SUBJECT: '97-'98 LOS ANGELES COUNTY URBAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM

INITIATED BY CITY COUNCIL

PURPOSE: 1. APPROVE STAFF'S PROPOSAL TO FUND RETROFITTING PARKS, COMMUNITY SERVICES BUILDING TO REMOVE ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS TO THE DISABLED AND IDENTIFY ANY OBSTRUCTIONS ON STREET AND SIDEWALKS WITH THE THIRD YEAR'S CDBG ESTIMATED GRANT ALLOCATION.

2. SATISFY THE PUBLIC HEARING/PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT OF THE CDBG PROGRAM

3. APPROVE THE COST SUMMARY SUBMITTAL TO LOS ANGELES COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (ATTACHED)

Recommendation

By Minute order approve the expenditure of the Third Year, 97-98 grant estimated allocation and any additional allocation, funding for the removal of architectural barriers to the disabled at the Community Services facility, all parks, and for identifying any obstruction on public streets and sidewalks.

Background

At the June 14, 1994 meeting, the City Council adopted a resolution, and executed a cooperative agreement in order to participate in the L.A. County CDBG program.

The Los Angeles County Community Development Commission, which administers the L.A. County CDBG program, estimated the City's allocation to be $142,594.

At the meeting of November 22, 1994, the City Council adopted the American Disability Act (ADA) Compliance and Transition Plan, which includes the removal of architectural barriers to the disabled in City Hall.

Analysis

Proposed Project

Based upon the estimated cost figures for the proposed retrofitting found within the City's adopted ADA Compliance and Transition Plan, the estimated grant allocation will be only slightly below the estimated cost by $7000. The allocation only deviates from the estimated cost by 5%.

Funding Criteria

This project is eligible for funding under the National Objective Citation 570.201(k) and 570.208(a)2(ii). The regulations provide that removal of architectural barriers is considered a benefit to low and moderate income persons, since studies show that, on a national basis, a majority of handicapped persons have low and moderate incomes who would benefit by improving a public facility. Therefore, the submittal of any evidence that the expenditure of funds was for low and moderate income is not necessary. However, submittal of evidence that the expenditure of funds was for the removal of architectural barriers will be required. 10% of the total allocation is available for program administration.