City of Lawrence
Planning and Development Services Department
TO: David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM: Danelle Dresslar, Community Development Manager, Planning and Development Services
CC: Scott McCullough, Director, Planning and Development Services
DATE: July 23, 2013
RE: Substantial Amendment to the 2013 CDBG Annual Action Plan of the 2013-2017 Consolidated Plan
Just Food, Inc. applied for funding under the 2013 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and was subsequently recommended funding by the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) under the category of Capital Improvements. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) informed staff that the Food Truck was an ineligible Capital Improvement expenditure under the CDBG. Because of this fact, staff requested a one-time general fund allocation for the project. On July 9, 2013 the City Commission voted 4-0, with Commissioner Farmer recusing himself, in favor of a one-time general fund allocation of $25,000 to Just Food, Inc. for the purchase of the Refrigerated Box Truck.
The request before the City Commission is to reallocate $25,000 from the Just Food Refrigerated Box Truck Project to the Sidewalk Gap Project, which will also be administered by the City of Lawrence Public Works Department. The request for the reallocation is based on the need for sidewalk repairs in low-moderate income neighborhoods in the city of Lawrence. This process requires a Substantial Amendment to the 2013 CDBG Annual Action Plan of the 2013-2017 Consolidated Plan.
This request was considered and approved unanimously by the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) at their July 11, 2013 meeting. A Substantial Amendment requires citizen input as well as publication of a notice regarding the proposed amendment. The notice was published on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 and began a thirty (30) day written comment period. If approved by the City Commission, staff will forward the amendment to the local HUD office after the thirty day written comment period ends on August 30, 2013. Funds would be available for the sidewalk project thereafter.
Staff recommends approval of the request as this project maintains safe neighborhood access for low and very low-income residents. If you have further questions, please let me know.
Action Requested: Approve a Substantial Amendment to the 2013 CDBG Annual Action Plan and Investment Summary of the 2013-2017 Consolidated Plan for reallocation of $25,000 from Just Food Inc. Refrigerated Box Truck Project to the City of Lawrence Public Works Department for the Sidewalk Gap Program.