SR-300-002-01 (24)
NS'NM sh ~
Council Mtg. 4-27-82
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APR 2 7 1982
Santa Monica, California
TO' Mayor and City Council
FROM' City Staff
SUBJECT: Approval of 1982-83 Community Development Block Grant Program
Introduction
This report transMits a Proposed Statement of Community Development Objectives
and Projected Use of Funds, and City staff recommendations for the City's
1982-83 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. A Tist of proposed
projects and activities ;s attached and it includes all written requests and
other suggestions received during the CDBG public hearings. Also attached are
copies of the proposals which City staff is recommending for funding.
CDBG was established by Congress to principally benefit low and moderate-income
households, This program has also stressed the need for local governments to
support the efforts of neighborhoods to protect and maintain their integrity.
This City Council has also consistently stressed that block grant funds should
be used to meet the need of low and MOderate-income communities and to support
the Council IS efforts to join in partnership with local, indigenously controlled
community organizations.
To impleMent the intent of the United States Congress and the intent of this
Council, staff is proposing a 1982-83 Community Development Block Grant program
with the following major objectives.
o ,Preserv.e and protect the housing stock.
Pressures for gentrification and property deterioration threaten the integrity
and stability of low and moderate-income neighborhoods. The Pico Neighborhood
Association and the Ocean Park Community Organization have requested funds
to support neighborhood-based efforts to preserve and protect the housing ~.r~
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Mayor and City Council
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April 27, J982
stock in their communities principally occupied by low and moderate-income
families. Housing is and must be the highest priority for the utilization
of Block Grant Funds and staff is recommending the utilization of housing
reserves plus additional appropriations to meet this priority.
o Neighborhood D~vel~pment.
To support and sustain neighborhood development, this recommendation
allocates funds to a variety of infrastructure needs including street
lighting, residential security, traffic signal installation, street improve-
ments and park improvements.
o Support for Individuals and Fam;1 ies in Need.
In light of sustained and i1i-advised cutbacks by the Federal Government
for the support of the needs of the disabled, and children/families in
crises, significant funds are allocated to support human service priorities.
Principally, these funds will go to increasing facilities for the disabled
and the acquiSItion of the Stepping Stone facility. If the Stepping Stone
facility cannot be acquired, other projects should be substituted con-
sistent with this intent.
The highest concentration of Jaw and moderate-income families in the City of Santa
Monica reside in the Pico Neighborhood. In accord with the intent of Congress and
Council, the Pico Neighborhood requires a major investment of Community Development
Funds. Unfortunately, prior to last year, the Pico Neighborhood has been systema-
tically neglected by publIC investment strategies. Building upon an initial invest-
ment Made last year, this recommendation attempts to support the efforts in the
Pico Neighborhood, under the leadership of the Pica Neighborhood Association, to
systematically invest in the neighborhood and to benefit low and moderate-income
households. In addition, this recommendation supports the ongoing work of the
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Ocean Park Community Organization in their efforts to meet the needs of low and
~oderateainco~e households residing in the Ocean Park community.
Background
The amount of CDBG funds Santa Monica will receive for Program Year 1982-83 from
the U S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is $1,404,185. City
staff IS recommending the reprogrammIng of the $60,000 set aside in the current
year for an energy conservation program. A CIty energy program is currently
under review by General Services. Also to be added to programmable funds for
1982-83 is $20,000 in revenue frOM the City's Housing Rehabilitation program
terminated in 1979. The total amount of new CDBG funds available for next
year's program is 51,484,185.
Of the amount of funds avaIlable for 1982-83 CDBG programming, a maximum of ten
percent (10%) may now be used for publ ic service activities. These are activities
designed to meet community residents' needs in such areas as employment, crime
prevention, child care, health drug abuse, education, welfare or recreation.
The criteria for eligibility for CDBG funding are' the service must prinici-
pally benefit low and woderate-income persons, and the proposed activity must be
either a new service or a quantifiable increase in the level of an existing
service
There are other changes in the CDBG regulations affecting the Cityls 1982-83
program. A written application for funds is no longer required and the lengthy
A-95 clearinghouse and HUD review periodS have been el iminated. The City is
required to submIt to HUD, at least thirty (30) days prior to the commencement
of the new program year, a Statement of Community Development Objectives and
Projected Use of Funds. Santa Monica's Statement has been developed by staff
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April 27, 1982
and made available to citizens for review and comment. No comments have been
received and the final Statement is submitted herewith for approval by City
Council.
Though the number of CDBG publ ic hearings required by HUD has been decreased,
City staff has naintained the same level of citizen participation outreach as
last year. This includes direct mail iogs to the special CDBG Citizen ParticipatIon
Mailing List of individuals and community groups; Citywide dissemination of a
CDBG brochure and flyers; publ ication of an "0pen Letter from the Mayor,"
public hearing announcements and several newspaper articles concerning CDBG
activities; CDBG inFormation provided by Gity staff at meetings of various
community groups; and several public hearings held by City Commissions and the
City Counc i 1 .
Discussion
Again this year, housIng programs benefitting Tow and moderate-income persons
remains a top priority among those participating in the CDBG planning process
Since CDBG funds cannot be used by the City directly for construction of new
housing, some housing needs can be met through the implementation of housing
rehabilitation programs, site acquisition and site preparation. A housing
rehabilitation program to be implemented by Pica Neighborhood Association (PNA)
in the Pico Neighborhood Area, and another to be operated by the City, are being
recommended by staff. Details of these programs are provided in a separate
report which is attached.
As part of a continuing program of community development and neighborhood
revitalization in CDBG Target Areas, based on needs expressed by residents,
City staff recommends the following projects: major street improvements to
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April 27t 1982
11th Street between Pica Boulevard and the Santa Monica Freeway. and Colorado
Avenue between 11th and 20th Street; installation of a traffic signal at the
intersection of 14th Street and Michigan Avenue; and street light installation
on the 1600 and 1700 blocks of Frankl in Street and the 1400 and 1500 blocks
of 18th and 19th Streets. Fund~ are available for a traffic signal at the
intersection of 11th Street and Michigan Avenue if the Council and the community
decides this is a priority. City staff and community representatives are
reviewing alternatives to installation of a traffic signal at this location.
Also recommended as part of the neighborhood revital ization in Target Area III
is a redesign of Stewart Street Park. Approximately one-half of the park IS
not useful because of its dimensions and relationship to the other facilities.
Staff intends to work closely with residents adjacent to the park to determine
the most desirable and compatible uses of the park.
City Council has commItted General Funds to the establishment of an Office for
Disabled in City Hall, and authorized the preparation of a study relating to
Citywide accessibil ity for disabled along with a guide indIcating existing
accessibility of commercial establishments. CIty staff is recommending 585.000
in 1982-83 CDBG funds be added to the Facilities for Disabled Fund established
this year. Specific architectural-barrier-removal projects reco~mended for
immediate financing from thiS Fund include modifications to Ocean Park Community
Center, and the YWCA. Other possible future projects include modification to
public restroons at the Civic Auditoriu~. Installation of an elevator in the
Police Building to provide access to the Detective Division on the second floor,
and modifications to the north wing of City Hall on both the first and second
floors. Additionally, there are specific intersections in the City traveled by
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citizens in wheelchairs where it has been requested wheelchair ramps be con-
structed. Staff recommends the construction of ra~ps at the various specific
locations.
City staff further recommends the budgeting of $175.000 for the acquisiton of
Stepping Stone Youth Crisis Center. Stepping Stone provides temporary residential
services. as well as information and referral. 24-hour hotl ine. crisis interven~
tion, counseling/mediation and follow-up services. It is the only facil ity of
its kind in Santa Monica. The current owners wish to sell the property. and
finding another sUItable site for this program could be difficult. Purchase of
the facility by the City and subsequent lease arrangement with Stepping Stone
would relieve the uncertainty of continuation of the program. and reduce the
burden of high rental fees which would free up funds for direct services. Acqui-
sition of this property may not be possible due to current real estate market
conditions. If this particular acquisition is not possible, staff recommends
consideration of the acquisition of other human service facil ities in CDBG
target areas.
Continued funding IS being recommended for three programs implemented by local
organizations this year. One of these programs is the Residential Security
Installation Program operated by Ocean Park Community Organization (OPCO). opec
has been providing security audits and free locks in the Ocean Park Area, bene-
fitting 100% low and moderate-income residents. For next year, the program
will be expanded to serve low and moderate-income residents citywide. and will
be coordinated with similar activIties of the Santa Monica Bay Volunteer Bureau.
Another public service program recommended for continued funding is the Youth
Activities Progra~ operated by PNA. This program has been very effective in
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stimulating participation in community activities by young people in the Pico
Neighborhood. Continuation of youth block club organization and sponsorship
of special youth activities is planned, along with the addition of a youth employ-
ment component. The employment aspect of the program will not only provide a
means for earning ~oney from projects designed to benefit the neighborhood, but
will also help prepare the young participants for entry into the adult job market.
The other existing program recommended for continued funding is the Citizen
Participation Outreach program conducted by the Latino Resource Organization (LRO).
Preli~inary outreach and groundwork is being laid this year for increased parti-
cipation by Santa Monica Latinos in governmental process as well as greater
usage of available services. The program proposed for next year has been
expanded to include (in addition to a continuation of current activities), a
language and cultural training program for service providers, establishment of
an ombudsman program, establishment of a latino Advisory Committee to monitor
and review programs serving the Latino community and a fundraising component to
help them become more self sufficient.
Staff has discussed the desire of Pica Neighborhood Association (PMA) .to build
a community center in Virginia Avenue Park. It is recommended that consideration
of this be postponed. The Director of Recreation and Parks and PNA are discussing
with the City Manager uses of the recently-constructed recreational facility in
Virginia Avenue Park. It is the intent of staff to provide for appropriate
involvement and access to the facil ity. Hopefully, proper allocation of the
use of the existing facility, in conjunction with PNA, will meet the needs of
neighborhood residents.
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April 27, 1982
City staff IS proposing CDBG support of the fair housing program established in
the City Attorney's office this year. HUD requires that cities receiving federal
funds make special efforts to promote fair housing opportunities for all citizens.
A new housing service proposed to be implemented by OPCO in Target Area I
(Ocean Park} 15 a comprehensive Neighborhood Housing ProJect. This program,
also recommended for funding by City staff, would provide Information and
referral and door-to-door outreach to the 88% renters of the area, with targeted
areas of low and moderate-Income households. The information provided to tenants
would include their rights and responsibilities regarding discrimination, dis-
placement, code requirements and rent control provisions. The data gathered
would provide the groundwork for the Community Development Corporation (CDC)
for housing now in the planning stages. The Neighborhood Housing Project would
serve as the outreach mechanism for the CDC.
To round out the proposed CnBG program for 1982-83, City staff IS recommending the
design and implementation of an EconOMic Development program with focus on the
CDBG Target Areas. The initial step would be the preparation of an Economic
Development Strategy which is required by HUD prior to engaging in CDBG-funded
economic development activities. When the plan is completed and approved, the
City can then seek suitable commercial enterprises wishing to expand their
facilities and/or operation Private funds are then leveraged for a complete
economic development package. The benefits of this type of assistance are
threefold: local business IS enhanced, jobs for low and moderate-income employees
are created or saved, and revenue is derived as loans are repaid.
Also included In the 1982-83 CDBG program are funds for general planning and
administration of the program, and a Contingency Fund. Since unused Contingency
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Mayor and City Council
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April 27, 1982
Funds from the current CDBG budget will be carried forward to next year, only a
minimal amount of 1982-83 funds need be budgeted for this purpose. A complete
list of the above-~entioned recommended projects and activities is attached.
Recommendation
It is recommended that City Council:
I. Hold the scheduled public hearing and receive citizen comments.
2. Approve the reprogra~ming of the $60,000 in CDBG funds currently budgeted
for energy conservation and the $20,000 in revenue received from the housing
rehab! 1 itation program.
3. Approve the attached Statement of Com~unity Development Objectives and
Projected Use of Funds, whIch includes the projects and activities
mentioned above as recommended by City staff, and authorize the City
Manager to submit same to HUD.
4. Adopt the attached resolution which further authorizes the City Manager to
submit to HUD all documents necessary to facilitate the receipt by Santa
Monica of 1982-83 CDBG funds.
Prepared by: John H. Alschuler
Nancy McFarland
JHA'NM mh
Attachments
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Council Mtg. 4~27-82 ~
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PROPOSED 1982-83 CD8G PROGRAM
PICO NEIGHBORHOOD (Tar~et Area I I I)
HOUSING PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES:
Housing Rehabilitation Program - PNA'
Phase I (6 months) - $1251000
Phase II ( 18 months) - S375.000
Technical Assistance Grant - $10.000
Tenant Education Program - $35,048
STREET IMPROVEMENTS:
11th Street between Pico Blvd, & S,M. Freeway
Colorado Avenue between 11th & 20th Streets
STEWART STREET PARK IMPROVEMENTS
TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION:
14th Street & Michigan Avenue
STREET LIGHT INSTALLATION.
1600 & 1700 Blocks of Franklin Street
1400 & 1500 Blocks of 18th & 19t~ Streets
YOUTH ACTIVITIES AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM ~ PNA
ACQUISITION OF STEPPING STONE FACILITY
OCEAN PARK (Target Area I)
RESIDENTIAL SECURITY fNSTALLATION PROGRAM - OPCC
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING PROJECT - opeo
CITYWIDE - GENERAL COMMUNITY NEEDS
HOUSING RE~ABILITATION LOAN FUND - CITY
WHEELCHAIR RAMP CONSTRUCTION (Specific requested sites)
FACILITIES FOR DISABLED:
To include architectural barrier removal
at OPCC and YWCA - $18,150
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION OUTREACH TO LATINOS - LRO
FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
GENERAL PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION
CONTINGENCY FUND
$545,048
100.000
125,000
65,000
150.000
43.000
175.000
37,000
23.500
190.000
20.500
85.000
97.500
40.000
tOO ,000
185,500
2.185
51.984,233
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Council Mtg 4/27/82
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AP R 4 '{ beZ
ADDENDUM TO ITEM 7B
TO:
Mayor and City Council
FROM:
City Staff
SUBJECT
CDBG Request Submitted by the Pacific Jewish Center
This is to advise you that the proposal submitted for the provision of Low-
Income Senior Citizen Assistance (Proposal No. 14) which was withdrawn has
been resubmitted by a different entity. The Pacific Jewish Center, represented
by Carol Anne Teva-Wright, IS requesting 584,085 to implement a program for
low-income senior citizens which would include a needs assessment, security
audits and lock Installation, energy audits and installation, and housing
reha b ill ta t i on
Prepared by. Nancy McFarland
NM mh
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APR 2 7 1982