Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning and Development Services

TO:	Thomas M. Markus, City Manager
CC:	Scott McCullough, Director, Planning and Development Services
FROM:	Danelle Dresslar, Community Development Manager, Planning and Development Services
DATE:	April 29, 2016
RE:	Adoption of the 2016 Action Plan and Investment Summary for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnership Programs.

Background

The City Commission will consider adoption of the CDBG/HOME 2016 Action Plan and Investment Summary at its regular meeting Tuesday, May 24, 2016.  The Consolidated Plan / Action Plan is required by the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 and is the result of a collaborative process whereby a community establishes a unified vision for community development, which in the case of the City of Lawrence is how federal funds are utilized to meet that vision.  The majority of the grantees and projects this year are very similar to years past, with the exception of a large allocation made to the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence for use with the construction of their teen center.

Project Description

The 2016 Action Plan includes the one year Investment Summary (attached) for the upcoming 2016 program year (August 1, 2016 through July 31, 2017).  The 2016 Program Year is year four of the 2013-2017 Consolidated Plan.  The Action Plan is available on the department website at www.lawrenceks.org/pds (titled “Action Plan Draft”) and has been available to the public since April 25, 2016.  The Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) held their public hearing on April 28, 2016, which began the 30 day comment period for the document.   The comment period will end on May 28, 2015.  All public comment received is included in the final Plan submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is independent of the City Commission adoption of the Investment Summary and the Action Plan Document.  Staff will be available to answer any questions and the Chair of the CDAC, Alex Delaney, will also be present at the meeting if there are any additional questions. 

To date, no written comments have been received by the department. 

Staff Recommendation

Adoption of the 2016 Annual Action Plan and Investment Summary and Resolution 7162.

Action

Adopt the 2016 Action Plan and Investment Summary of the 2013-2017 Consolidated Plan, and adopt Resolution 7162, authorizing the Mayor to execute the agreements for the 2016 CDBG and HOME programs, if appropriate.