Receive an update regarding the Community Development Block Grant and the Human Services Advisory Board funding and related matters, and provide direction to staff.
Item 01: Community Development Block Grant and the Human Services Advisory Board Funding Update
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JHughson
CoSM Members
HSAB
Housing repair program – how much was allocated, how much is obligated, and how much has been spent? And how much remains available (not obligated and not spent) – is that the $243,399.63?
Glad to see that it looked like we were getting CDBG and HSAB somewhat aligned. I think council stated that the CDBG application deadline etc. is fixed but ours is not so we can move ours to align the processes. Is that what is being done?
What we need is a pre-application to find out what agencies need and then determine which grant program will be applicable and the better choice.
Regarding “long term change for residents of a community” – that indicates to me that buildings and equipment would be the preferred choices.
Regarding “Designate CASA and HCWC to each receive half the annual CDBG public services funding“ Remind me who the other applicants are and their funding requested amount.
I am concerned that we are limiting our funding to only two options.
Regarding “Require annual HSAB reports instead of quarterly and remove “quarterly” from payment item?” Does the board review reports at the meeting following receipt of those reports, regardless of whether the reports are on-time or late?
Has there ever been a potential problem found in a quarterly report that we needed to fix before the organization took any further action? I’m thinking a first quarter report to make sure all is on track, then a final.
Regarding “Delete the increase question from HSAB Council Priorities and move 5 points to Impact and 5 to Community Need?”
Then how will we know their intent?
Regarding “Change the wording to “Does the agency have an office or primary operation in San Marcos”?” Anytime you have an “OR” in a question you will not get the information you want. I will want to know if they have an office in San Marcos, however, I am OK to reduce the number of points.
Housing repair program – how much was allocated, how much is obligated, and how much has been spent? And how much remains available (not obligated and not spent) – is that the $243,399.63?
Glad to see that it looked like we were getting CDBG and HSAB somewhat aligned. I think council stated that the CDBG application deadline etc. is fixed but ours is not so we can move ours to align the processes. Is that what is being done?
What we need is a pre-application to find out what agencies need and then determine which grant program will be applicable and the better choice.
Regarding “long term change for residents of a community” – that indicates to me that buildings and equipment would be the preferred choices.
Regarding “Designate CASA and HCWC to each receive half the annual CDBG public services funding“ Remind me who the other applicants are and their funding requested amount.
I am concerned that we are limiting our funding to only two options.
Regarding “Require annual HSAB reports instead of quarterly and remove “quarterly” from payment item?” Does the board review reports at the meeting following receipt of those reports, regardless of whether the reports are on-time or late?
Has there ever been a potential problem found in a quarterly report that we needed to fix before the organization took any further action? I’m thinking a first quarter report to make sure all is on track, then a final.
Regarding “Delete the increase question from HSAB Council Priorities and move 5 points to Impact and 5 to Community Need?”
Then how will we know their intent?
Regarding “Change the wording to “Does the agency have an office or primary operation in San Marcos”?” Anytime you have an “OR” in a question you will not get the information you want. I will want to know if they have an office in San Marcos, however, I am OK to reduce the number of points.
Responses provided by Carol Griffith, Housing and Community Development Manager, Hayden Migl, Director of Administrative Services & Amanda Hernandez, Director of Planning & Development Services:
Housing repair program – how much was allocated, how much is obligated, and how much has been spent? And how much remains available (not obligated and not spent) – is that the $243,399.63?
Glad to see that it looked like we were getting CDBG and HSAB somewhat aligned. I think council stated that the CDBG application deadline etc. is fixed but ours is not so we can move ours to align the processes. Is that what is being done?
The City is moving the HSAB application process to the spring so the grants can be funded for a fiscal year instead of calendar year.
The HSAB and CDBG application processes can be combined only if the CDBG public input period happens earlier, during the holidays in November and December. Details below:
Designating CASA and HCWC to each receive half of CDBG automatically gives the HSAB Board discretion over all programs. Here’s why:
Both CDBG and HSAB are funding the same programs from the same agencies. Neither CDBG nor HSAB fully funds any of the programs. CDBG is just over $100,000. CASA and HCWC combined receive more than $100,000 from the two sources. They could be partially funded by each receiving half the CDBG funding, and they would still need additional from HSAB to fulfill their funding request. The HSAB Board would consider how much to recommend for CASA and HCWC, as well as all the other agencies.
Regarding “long term change for residents of a community” – that indicates to me that buildings and equipment would be the preferred choices.
CDBG is not allowed to fund equipment. It can fund building repair for community centers or single family homes. Up to 15% of CDBG can be spent on public services but the intent is that those funds provide for programs that work with people to turn their lives around. Short term emergency assistance is allowed but is not the best fit for CDBG.
Regarding “Designate CASA and HCWC to each receive half the annual CDBG public services funding“ Remind me who the other applicants are and their funding requested amount. I am concerned that we are limiting our funding to only two options.
Regarding “Require annual HSAB reports instead of quarterly and remove “quarterly” from payment item?” Does the board review reports at the meeting following receipt of those reports, regardless of whether the reports are on-time or late?
Since the Board only meets during 1/3 of the year, it does not review quarterly reports. The Board reviews the final report as part of the following year’s application process.
Has there ever been a potential problem found in a quarterly report that we needed to fix before the organization took any further action? I’m thinking a first quarter report to make sure all is on track, then a final.
No potential problems have been identified through the quarterly reports. Programs do not necessarily start in the first quarter. Problems have been rare but may happen anytime during the year.
Regarding “Delete the increase question from HSAB Council Priorities and move 5 points to Impact and 5 to Community Need?”
Then how will we know their intent?
Board discussion centered on comparing number served among programs; the Board did not emphasize the need for the funding to create an increase.
Regarding “Change the wording to “Does the agency have an office or primary operation in San Marcos”?” Anytime you have an “OR” in a question you will not get the information you want. I will want to know if they have an office in San Marcos, however, I am OK to reduce the number of points.
Noted.
Housing repair program – how much was allocated, how much is obligated, and how much has been spent? And how much remains available (not obligated and not spent) – is that the $243,399.63?
| CDBG | ARPA | |||
| City | City | Mission Able | Operation Triage | |
| ALLOCATED | $1,136,000.00 | $860,000.00 | $400,000.00 | $400,000.00 |
| SPENT | $876,000.00 | $616,600.37 | $250,246.00 | $243,664.00 |
| OBLIGATED | $149,754.00 | $156,336.00 | ||
| REMAINING | $260,000.00 | $243,399.63 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Glad to see that it looked like we were getting CDBG and HSAB somewhat aligned. I think council stated that the CDBG application deadline etc. is fixed but ours is not so we can move ours to align the processes. Is that what is being done?
The City is moving the HSAB application process to the spring so the grants can be funded for a fiscal year instead of calendar year.
The HSAB and CDBG application processes can be combined only if the CDBG public input period happens earlier, during the holidays in November and December. Details below:
- If the CDBG application period is moved to January to match HSAB’s new schedule, the CDBG public input process would happen during the holidays in November and December.
- If the HSAB application period is moved to April to match CDBG, the HSAB 3 month review period would cause the City to miss the CDBG federal deadlines.
Designating CASA and HCWC to each receive half of CDBG automatically gives the HSAB Board discretion over all programs. Here’s why:
Both CDBG and HSAB are funding the same programs from the same agencies. Neither CDBG nor HSAB fully funds any of the programs. CDBG is just over $100,000. CASA and HCWC combined receive more than $100,000 from the two sources. They could be partially funded by each receiving half the CDBG funding, and they would still need additional from HSAB to fulfill their funding request. The HSAB Board would consider how much to recommend for CASA and HCWC, as well as all the other agencies.
Regarding “long term change for residents of a community” – that indicates to me that buildings and equipment would be the preferred choices.
CDBG is not allowed to fund equipment. It can fund building repair for community centers or single family homes. Up to 15% of CDBG can be spent on public services but the intent is that those funds provide for programs that work with people to turn their lives around. Short term emergency assistance is allowed but is not the best fit for CDBG.
Regarding “Designate CASA and HCWC to each receive half the annual CDBG public services funding“ Remind me who the other applicants are and their funding requested amount. I am concerned that we are limiting our funding to only two options.
| CDBG PUBLIC SERVICES | FY 2022 | FY 2023 | FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 proposed |
| Programs | |||||
| CASA | $60,000 | $39,725 | $35,000 | $37,909 | $40,000 |
| HCWC | $45,000 | $41,465 | $35,000 | $28,000 | $35,000 |
| Greater SM Youth Council | $11,900 | $13,000 | $16,000 | ||
| Emergency Assistance | |||||
| St Vincent De Paul | $12,500 | $12,000 | $8,500 | ||
| Salvation Army | $23,930 | $12,500 | $12,000 | ||
| Southside | $12,000 | ||||
| Central TX Food Bank | $13,500 | ||||
| TOTAL | $105,000 | $105,120 | $106,900 | $114,909 | $113,000 |
Regarding “Require annual HSAB reports instead of quarterly and remove “quarterly” from payment item?” Does the board review reports at the meeting following receipt of those reports, regardless of whether the reports are on-time or late?
Since the Board only meets during 1/3 of the year, it does not review quarterly reports. The Board reviews the final report as part of the following year’s application process.
Has there ever been a potential problem found in a quarterly report that we needed to fix before the organization took any further action? I’m thinking a first quarter report to make sure all is on track, then a final.
No potential problems have been identified through the quarterly reports. Programs do not necessarily start in the first quarter. Problems have been rare but may happen anytime during the year.
Regarding “Delete the increase question from HSAB Council Priorities and move 5 points to Impact and 5 to Community Need?”
Then how will we know their intent?
Board discussion centered on comparing number served among programs; the Board did not emphasize the need for the funding to create an increase.
Regarding “Change the wording to “Does the agency have an office or primary operation in San Marcos”?” Anytime you have an “OR” in a question you will not get the information you want. I will want to know if they have an office in San Marcos, however, I am OK to reduce the number of points.
Noted.
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