HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport on Food In Need of Distribution ProjectCITY OF PALM DESERT
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: Status report on the Food In Need of Distribution (food distribution
facility) project funded through the Community Development Block
Grant Program.
SUBMITTED BY: Frankie Riddle, Senior Management Analyst
DATE: February 24, 2005
CONTENTS: 1. Staff Report
Recommendation:
N/A.
Executive Summary:
N/A.
Discussion:
The City of Palm Desert, as part of the FY 2004/05 Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) Program, set aside $188,435 with the intent to fund a food distribution
facility with Food In Need of Distribution (FIND).
As part of the process, the City first met with the Regional Access Project (RAP) and the
County of Riverside to determine if there was any interest in partnering in such a
project. Both parties expressed interest in the concept. City and RAP staff coordinated
meetings with local non-profit organizations to obtain feedback from those that deal with
homeless and hunger issues on a day-to-day basis. From this beginning it was
determined that further information was required. The City and RAP met with
representatives of Levinson Associates who undertook the process of preparing an
overall Valley -wide needs analysis. The consultant was to conduct interviews, site visits,
and surveys to determine how well the existing food distribution system (or hunger relief
system) meets the needs of those it serves, the overall community needs, gaps in the
existing system, how best to address those issues, and provide recommendations.
RAP and the City recently met to discuss the report and over-all project goals. It was
apparent to both groups that there is a need for assistance and a food distribution
City Council Staff Report
February 24, 2005
facility but that the food system is so complex and the need so great that more
information and research is required in order to make an informed decision and how
best to move forward. The City and RAP are continuing to research this project and the
establishment of a Valley -wide facility/program. As the project moves forward, staff will
keep City Council informed of the project's status.
Since the original intent of the project was to fund the design and construction of a food
distribution facility and the project is still in the very conceptual stages, the City needs to
reprogram the aforementioned funds in order to stay in compliance with HUD guidelines
related to the CDBG Program.
The City has notified FIND that the CDBG funds will need to be reprogrammed to other
projects. (FIND has submitted an application for FY 2005/06 CDBG funding.) The
Citizen's Participation process has commenced. Public Notice advertising the 30-day
public comment period and the Public Hearing scheduled for April 14, 2005, was
published on Thursday, February 17, 2005. Since the CDBG FY 2005/06 Cycle is
closed and the Outside Agency Funding Committee will be meeting to review
applications, the reprogramming of the $188,435 from the FIND Project will be
discussed at this meeting. All recommendations will be forwarded to the full City
Council at its meeting of April 14 for consideration of approval.
Submitted By:
Senior Management Analyst
Department Head:
itk/g4/
Robert P. Kohn
Director of Special Programs
Concur:
Sheila R. Gilligan
Assistant City Mana
Community Services
Approval:
Carlos L. Ortega
City Manager