Agenda Item 18: CDBG-MIT Program and Action Plan

[COSM_Admin]

Receive a staff presentation and hold a Public Hearing to receive comments for or against Resolution 2021-75R, approving Substantial Amendment No. 1 to the Community Development Block Grant-Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Action Plan to designate projects for the use of CDBG-MIT funds and allocate funding for such projects; authorizing the City Manager to act as the Official Representative of the City in matters related to the CDBG-MIT Program and Action Plan, and declaring an effective date; and consider approval of Resolution 2021-75R.

 

[JHughson]

I see funding is proposed for "Additional Signs and Barricades" followed by "These items will be used during storms and other events to warn the public of risks ahead and to set up evacuation routes if needed.".
No objection, but will there be any flood gauges similar to the image inserted below (although we would need more than 6 ft in places!) on roadways that often flood. My thought is that these won't necessarily be used that day to measure the water level. We have other ways to do that. My thought is that this is a CONSTANT reminder to any and all who use that roadway that THIS ROAD FLOODS. Given the number of renters and visitors (families of university students, tourists, etc.) not everyone will be "in the know" about what roadways flood. This seems to me to be a relatively cheap way to get the message across.
Please advise.

Does this extend any of the "funds must be spent by" deadlines that we've seen previously?
Page 60 of the document, topic TIMELINE has "The MIT grant concludes September, 2031; however, it is likely all projects will be completed by 2024." as new text and deleted is "The proposed program start date is one month after HUD’s approval of this Action Plan. The maximum end date is 12 years from the start date of the program, although it is likely funds will be expended by March, 2022."

 

[COSM_Admin]

Responses provided by Shannon Mattingly, Director of Planning & Amanda Hernandez, Assistant Director of Planning:

I see funding is proposed for "Additional Signs and Barricades" followed by "These items will be used during storms and other events to warn the public of risks ahead and to set up evacuation routes if needed.".

No objection, but will there be any flood gauges similar to the image inserted below (although we would need more than 6 ft in places!) on roadways that often flood. My thought is that these won't necessarily be used that day to measure the water level. We have other ways to do that. My thought is that this is a CONSTANT reminder to any and all who use that roadway that THIS ROAD FLOODS. Given the number of renters and visitors (families of university students, tourists, etc.) not everyone will be "in the know" about what roadways flood. This seems to me to be a relatively cheap way to get the message across.

Please advise.

Depth markers will be added to any roads with flooding issues that are not already marked, using this CDBG-MIT funding.



Does this extend any of the "funds must be spent by" deadlines that we've seen previously?

Page 60 of the document, topic TIMELINE has "The MIT grant concludes September, 2031; however, it is likely all projects will be completed by 2024." as new text and deleted is "The proposed program start date is one month after HUD’s approval of this Action Plan. The maximum end date is 12 years from the start date of the program, although it is likely funds will be expended by March, 2022."

The date by which CDBG-MIT funds must be expended has not changed. Text was changed to be more specific about that final deadline (September, 2031). The estimated date that projects will be finished and closed out has been changed to a very conservative “by 2024”.