Explanation
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 appropriated $1 billion nationally, in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, to states and local governments to carry out eligible activities under the CDBG program. This grant program under Title XII is commonly referred to as the CDBG Recovery (CDBG-R) program and is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The City of Columbus was awarded $1,728,023 of CDBG-R funds from HUD. This funding requires that the City of Columbus submit to HUD a CDBG-R application and make a substantial amendment to the city's Consolidated Plan 2008 Action Plan. The CDBG-R City of Columbus' grant application to HUD is an attachment to this legislation and describes the proposed activities and funding levels.
On May 20, 2009, the city will begin a 7 day public comment period. Citizens, public agencies and other interested parties may make public comments to the city on the CDBG-R grant application through May 27, 2009. In addition, the application will be presented at the Health, Housing and Human Services Committee hearing on May 20, 2009 where public testimony will be accepted.
HUD requires that the city submit an application no later than June 5, 2009. Emergency legislation is needed to satisfy HUD's short grant application period. This legislation authorizes the city to submit a CDBG-R application to HUD and to make a substantial amendment to the city's Consolidated Plan's 2008 Action Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This CDBG-R grant application is for $1,728,023. The city anticipates using CDBG-R funds to expand economic development and housing opportunities through the Economic Development Loan Program and the Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund, where future loan repayments will generate grant program income. Matching funds are not required for this grant.
Title
To adopt the Community Development Block Grant Recovery Program; to authorize the filing of the Community Development Block Grant Recovery application with the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and to make a substantial amendment to the Consolidated Plan's 2008 Action Plan; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 authorizes the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to allocate $1 billion nationally, in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, to states and local governments to carry out eligible activities; and
WHEREAS, HUD's grant program under Title XII is commonly referred to as the CDBG Recovery (CDBG-R) program; and
WHEREAS, the city of Columbus has developed a CDBG-R grant application, which will allow the city to expand economic development and housing opportunities as well as providing nuisance abatement activities; and
WHEREAS, the city of Columbus has received a CDBG-R grant award of $1,728,023 from HUD; and
WHEREAS, the CDBG-R application requires a substantial amendment to the 2008 Action Plan which implements the city of Columbus' five year Consolidated Plan; and
WHEREAS, HUD must receive the City of Columbus' CDBG-R grant application by the deadline of June 5, 2009; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exits in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the filing of the CDBG-R Program with HUD in order to meet the grant application deadline thereby preserving the public health, peace, safety, and welfare; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1: That the city of Columbus hereby adopts the recommended Community Development Block Grant Recovery program, as set forth in the attachment "ORD0765-2009CDBG-Rapplication".
SECTION 2: That the city of Columbus Community Development Block Grant Recovery application, as provided for under Title XII of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, is hereby approved, and that the Mayor, acting on behalf of the City of Columbus, is hereby authorized and directed to file such application with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and make a substantial amendment to the Consolidated Plan's 2008 Action Plan.
SECTION 3: That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.