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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLegislative Review Committee - Support of Community Development Block GrantsCITY OF PALM DESERT OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER STAFF REPORT REQUEST: APPROVE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION TO PROVIDE CORRESPONDENCE TO CONGRESSWOMAN MARY BONO-MACK IN SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS (CDBG) SUBMITTED BY: Gary R. Rosenblum, Risk Manager DATE: March 10, 2011 CONTENTS: Correspondence in Support of the CDBG Program Recommendation By Minute Motion, authorize the Mayor to sign correspondence in support of the CDBG program that will be forwarded to Congresswoman Mary Bono - Mack. Background The City's Legislative Review Committee is concerned that Congresswoman Mary Bono-Mack's efforts to reduce Federal Government spending may result in cutting the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program's budget. The CDBG program is making a positive difference for people throughout the Coachella Valley. These vital Federal funds directly assist local neighborhoods and public health related capital improvement projects. The City of Palm Desert recently distributed $339,920 in CDBG funds for several public service programs and important capital improvement projects that are noted in the Fiscal Analysis below. These funds go towards serving those in our community who greatly benefit from the programs and project supported by CDBG. It would be an unfortunate setback if such services are discontinued due to Federal funding reductions. Staff respectfully recommends that the Palm Desert City Council send Rep. Mary Bono - Mack correspondence in support of the CDBG program. Fiscal Analysis There is no direct fiscal impact to the City because these Federal funds are passed through to local agencies, which utilize them for various projects and programs the City deems to have a community wide benefit. 5tatt Report: Cu13G Support Correspondence March 10, 2011 Page 2 of 2 In 2010 the following services were funded by the CDBG program: Fiscal Analysis (continued) CDBG Funded Program Amount Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children $5,025 FISH (Homeless Food Services) Martha's Village & Kitchen The Smile Factory $15,000 $22,253 $15,000 TOTAL $57,278 CDBG Funded Capital Improvement Project Amount Desert AIDS Project $21,000 Ranch Recovery Center $186,642 Stroke Recovery Center $75,000 TOTAL $282,642 GRAND TOTAL FOR CDBG FUNDED PROJECT/PROGRAMS $339,920 Submitted By: Gary R. Rosenblum, Risk Manager Reviewed by: Stephe Y. Aryan, Ass" ant to the City Manager Frankie Riddle, Special Programs Manager Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance M Joh". Wohlmuth, City Manager CITY COUNCIL ANION APPROVED DENIED RECEIVED OTIIER, MEETI G DATE AYES: 7777. TrooHT , ea e 4 7) 111s0n NOES:1,�'/1N — ABSENT:C- ABSTAIN: U �C- VERIFIED BY l Original on File with City Clerk's -Office March 1, 2011 DRAFT The Honorable Mary Bono Mack U.S. House of Representatives Dear Representative Bono Mack: On behalf of the City of Palm Desert I would like to register our support for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and strongly urge you to not cut these funds. The City is concerned that in your efforts to cut Federal spending, the value of this program to the City of Palm Desert and the Coachella Valley will lost. The CDBG program is making a positive difference in people's lives here in Palm Desert with irreplaceable Federal funding that goes directly to assisting our neighborhoods and local public health related capital improvement projects. Palm Desert most recently has used $339,920 of CDBG funds for several public service programs and several important capital improvement projects which are noted in the attached list. As you can see, these projects serve those in our community who are most in need of assistance and services and it would be a truly unfortunate setback to all of us if these programs and projects had to end because of Federal funding cuts. On behalf of Palm Desert and the Coachella Valley, I urge you to support the continued funding for CDBG and remember the direct value this funding has to improving the lives of the people you represent here in the Coachella Valley Thank you for your consideration of my request. I would be happy to meet with you to discuss this further, and offer to assist in any personal visits you may wish to take to personally see the good work the CDBG program is doing in our community, Sincerely, Jean Benson Mayor, City of Palm Desert cc: Frank Cullen Jr., Chief of Staff Amy Ingham, Legislative Assistant Amber Willis, Special Assistant Marc Troast, District Director Palm Desert CDBG Funding 2010 Public Service Programs 1. Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children) $ 5,025 2. FISH (Homeless Food Services) $15,000 3. Martha's Village & Kitchen $22,253 4. The Smile Factory $15,000 $57,278 Capital Improvement Projects 1. DesertAIDS Project $ 21,000 2. Ranch Recovery Center $186,642 3. Stroke Recovery Center $ 75,000 $282,642 $339,920