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Home My WebLink Aboutres2017-015WMA TCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2017 -097 CLEARANCES Initial Date Date Received in Council Office A ends Date Assi gned to: Originator. SM 1113117 IF l E C E� V E D 317117 Introduction _ Public Hearing 3121117 Division Head: FEB 2 8 2017 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL Dept Head: Prosecutor: p �J OZ1 "/17 Purchasin /Bud et: Executive: lq� 'Ad , TITLE OF DO NT: Resolution and Public Hearing regarding Community Development Block Grant funding applications. ATTACHMENTS: Memo from County Executive; Memo from Opportunity Council, CDBG Public Hearing handout, Resolution and Certification of Compliance. SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( X ) NO Should Clerk schedule a hearing ? ( X ) Yes ( ) NO SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( X ) NO Requested Date: March 21, 2017 SUMMARYSTATEMENT 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 2017 Public Services Grant recipients, which is a State formula grant in the amount of $125,253 for distribution to the tri- county area of Whatcom, Skagit and Island Counties. Also, the OC is eligible to apply for a General Purposes Grant for an amount of $500,000. In order to apply for the funding, the OC is required to submit applications 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 Island, San Juan and Whatcom Counties. And the General Purposes grant funding is intended to support OC's Housing Rehabilitation Program. In both cases, OC will act as Subreeipient of the funding, and Whatcom County will be the lead agency in the grant application process. j Public Hearin,,Notice lan y" tr a.,; ': NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held by the Whatcom County Council in the Council Chambers, Whalcom County Courthouse, 311 GrandAvenue, Bellingham, on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 7.00p.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 lower income persons residing in Whatcom County. $125,253 is proposed to be available to Whatcom, Skagit and Island Counties, through the Opportunity Council, to fund public services that principally benefit low- and moderate- income persons. Additionally, up to $1- million may be available to the County on a statewide competitive basis to fund public facility, community facility, economic development and affordable housing projects. Comments on the county's and Opportunity Council's past performance and use of both their 2016 CDBG Public Services Grant and their 2014 Housing Rehab grant will also be received. A Resolution will be reviewed, which would authorize the County Executive to submit two applications to the State of Washington for this funding. The draft grant applications, 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, after April 7, 2017. Comments may also be submitted in writing to the Whalcom County Council until the public hearing has been closed. i COMMITTEE ACTION. COUNCIL ACTION. 3/7/2017: Introduced 7 -0 i i 3/21/2017: Approved 7 -0, Res. 2017 -015 Related County Contract #: Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number: Res. 2017 -015 Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing on the County's website at: www.co.whatcom.wa.us /council_ PROPOSED BY: Executive INTRODUCTION DATE: 3/7/17 2017 -015 RESVLUTION N%f-- - "I APPLICATION FOR A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS (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 is preparing to submit 2 applications to the State Department of Commerce for funding assistance; and WHEREAS, it is necessary that certain conditions be met to receive CDBG funds; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that Whatcom County authorizes submission of the following applications to the state Department of Commerce: 1) one request for up to $126,253 and any amended amounts to fund public service activities in coordination with the Opportunity Council; and 2) one request for up to $500,000 and any amended amounts to fund housing rehabilitation 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 funds; 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; Page 1 Will provide opportunities for citizens to review and comment on proposed changes in the funded project and program performance; 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 these applications and Whatcom County's participation in the Washington State CDBG Program. APPROVED this 21st day of March pT C 00 fr y` 41 0 -� Dana Brown - YW`Plerk gfthe Council Al- APPROVEDJ�'S T FORM: Civil Deputy Prosecutor Page 2 2017, WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, ASHINGTON Bar (y 1336chanan, Council Chair