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Home My WebLink Aboutres2015-006WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2015 -087 CLEARANCES Initial Date Date Received in Council OfTce Agenda Date Assi ned to. Originator: SM 2119115 __ March 3, 2015 Introduction Public Hearing March 17, 2015 Division Head.' FEB 24 2015 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL Dept. Head: Prosecutor: all9 /l'y r Purchasin /Bud et: l^ 2/ J 3 b 3 Executive: TITLE OF DOCUMENT. Resolution and Public Hearing regarding Community Development Block Grant funding report and new application. ATTACHMENTS: Memo from County Executive, CDBG Public Hearing handout, Resolution and Certification of Compliance, Report from Bellingham Food Bank SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( X ) NO Should Clerk schedule a hearing ? ( X ) Yes ( ) NO SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( X ) NO Requested Date: March 17, 2015 SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE. (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public hearing, you must provide the language for use in the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate. Be clear In explaining the intent of the action.) The Opportunity Council (OC) is on the state Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) list of 2015 Public Services Grant recipients, which is a State formula grant in the amount of $123,078 for distribution to the tri -county area of Whatcom, Skagit and Island Counties. The OC is required to submit an application through their local jurisdiction, Whatcom County. The public services grant funding is intended to fund new or expanded direct services for persons with low- and moderate- incomes in the tri -county area. The OC will act as Subrecipient of the funding, and Whatcom County will be the lead agency in the grant application process. The attached Resolution authorizes the County Executive to sign and submit this grant application. Further, the State's CDBG General Purpose grant program requires a public hearing to review and report on the results of its $750,000 grant award (in 2013) to the Bellingham Food Bank for its Distribution Center Expansion project. A final public hearing is requested per State requirements in order to receive community input on this grant- funded project. Also, a final Grant Closeout Report must be completed and submitted to Dept. of Commerce, and the County Executive respectfully requests Council's authorization to sign and submit the Report. Public Hearing Notice lanmuame: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held by the Whatcom County Council in the Council Chambers, Whatcom County Courthouse, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing is to review community development and housing needs, inform citizens of the availability of funds and eligible uses of the state Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and receive comments on proposed activities, particularly from low- and moderate- income persons and persons residing in Whatcom County. Also, it is for the purpose of reviewing the final project performance on the Bellingham Food Bank's Distribution Center Expansion project, which was partially funded by the CDBG General Purpose Grant Program. Currently up to $123,078 will be available to Whatcom, Skagit and Island Counties, through the Opportunity Council, to fund public service activities that principally benefit low- and moderate - income persons. A Resolution will be reviewed, which would authorize the County Executive to submit an application to the State of Washington for this funding. The draft grant application including an overview of the proposed public services will be available for review at the Whatcom County Executive's office, Suite 108, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, by March 16, 2015. Comments may also be submitted in writing to the Whatcom County Council until the public hearing has been closed. Comments on the county's and community action program's past performance and use of their 2014 CDBG Public Services Grant will also be received. The Council Chambers is handicapped accessible. People with special needs or disabilities who will be attending this meeting are asked to please contact our office (676 -6690 or 800 - 676 -6757 from Pt. Roberts), at least 96 hours in advance, so that we may make anv needed accommodations. COMMITTEE ACTION: COUNCIL ACTION. 3/3/2015: Introduced 6 -0 3/17/2015: Approved 6 -0, Res. 2015 -006 Related County Contract #: Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number: Res. 2015 -006 Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing on the County's website at: www.co.whatcom.wmus /council. SPONSORED BY: Consent PROPOSED BY: Executive INTRODUCTION DATE: 3/3/15 RESOLUTION NC_ ZU -ooh APPLICATION FOR A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) WHEREAS, Whatcom County is authorized to apply to the state Department of Commerce for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); and WHEREAS, Whatcom County has identified a community development and housing priority need for which to seek CDBG funding; and WHEREAS, it is necessary that certain conditions be met to receive CDBG funds; and NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that Whatcom County authorizes submission of this application to the state Department of Commerce to request $123,078 and any amended amounts to fund public service activities in coordination with the Opportunity Council, and certifies that, if funded, it: Will comply with applicable provisions of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, and other applicable state and federal laws; Has provided and will provide opportunities for citizen participation that satisfy the CDBG requirements of 24 CFR 570.486; Will not use assessments against properties owned and occupied by low- and moderate - income persons or charge user fees to recover the capital costs of CDBG - funded public improvements from low- and moderate - income owner - occupants; Has established or will establish a plan to minimize displacement as a result of activities assisted with CDBG fundsx and assist persons actually displaced as a result of such activities, as provided in the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended; Has provided technical assistance to citizens and groups representative of low - and moderate - income persons that request assistance in developing proposals; Will provide opportunities for citizens to review and comment on proposed changes in the funded project and program performance; Page 1 Will conduct and administer its program in conformance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act, will affirmatively further fair housing (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968); and Has adopted (or will adopt) and enforce a policy prohibiting the use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies within its jurisdiction against any individuals engaged in nonviolent civil rights demonstrations; and has adopted (or will adopt) and implement a policy of enforcing applicable state and local laws against physically barring entrance to or exit from a facility or location which is the subject of such nonviolent civil rights demonstration within its jurisdiction, in accordance with Section 104(1) of the Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act or 1974, as amended; Certifies to meeting the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) through a determination the CDBG- funded public services will not have a physical impact or result in any physical changes and are exempt under 24 CFR 58.34(a), and are not applicable to the other requirements under 24 CFR 58.6; and are categorically exempt under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) per WAC 197 -11 -305 (2); and Whatcom County designates Jack Louws, County Executive, as the authorized Chief Administrative Official and authorized representative to act in all official matters in connection with this application and Whatcom County's participation in the Washington State CDBG Program. APPROVED this „ *,, day of Marr�h 12015. ,��j1�`�r4V11l11tf�A/f,/ ATTEST, -k ; H Arc COUNTY Dana Br w'n- Davis, Clerk of the Council s APPROVED'A&TO"FFORM: Civil Deputy Prosecutor Page 2 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON 'P Carl Weim r, Council Chair