SUBJECT: 2001-02 LOS ANGELES COUNTY URBAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM

 

PURPOSE: 

1. APPROVE STAFF’S PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR RETROFITTING CITY HALL, POLICE, FIRE DEPARTMENTS, PARKS, AND COMMUNITY CENTER TO REMOVE ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS TO THE DISABLED AND IDENTIFY ANY OBSTRUCTIONS ON STREETS AND SIDEWALKS WITH THE SIXTH YEAR’S CDBG ESTIMATED GRANT ALLOCATION.

2. COMPLY WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING/PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT OF THE CDBG PROGRAM

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

 

Recommendation:

Approve by minute order the expenditure of the Sixth Year 2001-02 Block Grant estimated allocation for the removal of architectural barriers to the disabled and any additional allocation of funding, and direct staff to forward the Program Planning Summary to the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission.

 

Background:

The Los Angeles County Community Development Commission, which administers the Los Angeles County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, estimated the City’s allocation to be $144,380 for the 2001-02 fiscal year, which is similar to the previous year’s allocation.

 

Analysis:

Over the last five years the City has accepted CDBG annual fund allocations for retrofitting the City’s public facilities (City Hall, Community Center, Police and Fire Departments) for compliance with the federal American Disabilities Act (ADA). The design for retrofitting the first two phases of work has been completed (i.e. the retrofitting of City Hall, Police and Fire Departments) and an estimate of the total costs for Phases One and Two have been prepared. Bid documents and contracts to begin the work on Phases One and Two is expected to be awarded by mid year. Phase Three will include retrofitting the Community Center and the public parks and sidewalks citywide to comply with the ADA. Design work and a detailed cost estimate for Phase Three will be begin once Phases One and Two are underway. Staff expects the current CDBG allocation of $809,311 to be exceeded, making it necessary to include the 2001-02 fund allocation of $144,380 for the overall project completion. In addition, $25,000 of the City’s 5 ^th year CDBG 2000-01 funds was reallocated from the ADA project to provide financial support for those qualified low and moderate income property owners that still need to complete the undergrounding of their overhead utilities. This amendment was approved by the City Council in August of 2000. These funds are expected to be expended by June 30, 2001. Should the monies for this project not be fully expended by then, staff will request the Community Development Commission reallocate any remaining funds back to the City’s ADA project.

The ADA 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 for the removal of architectural barriers will be required. 10% of the total allocation is available for program administration.

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