PDF: 2.5MB - Iowa Economic Development Authority

2015
Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG)
Application Workshop
August 26, 2014, Ankeny Iowa
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
State of Iowa CDBG Program
» 2014 Allocation = $21.6 million
» National Objective
– Benefit to low- and moderate-income persons (70% of allocation or greater)
– Slum & blight elimination
– Urgent need
» Eligible Applicants
– All cities under 50,000 population (including Cedar Falls)
– All Counties
– City or County on behalf of non-profit entity
2015 Community Facilities
and Services Fund
» 2014 set-aside: over $2 million
» Fund Ceilings
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0-999 population - $300,000 (max of $1,000 per person)
1,000-2,499 - $500,000
2,500-14,999 - $600,000
15,000-49,999 - $800,000
» Eligible Activities
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Child Care Centers
Facilities for Physically and Mentally Challenged
Senior Centers
Homeless Shelters
Stormwater & Drainage
2015 Community Facilities
and Services Fund
2015 Application Cycle
» August 26, 2014
» January 12, 2015
Application workshop
Applications submitted to
» Week of April 20, 2015
» Week of May 18, 2015
Awards (tentative date)
Recipient Workshop (tentative date)
IowaGrants.gov by 11:59 PM.
Online Application
COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND
SERVICES FUND – KEY POINTS
CF&S – Key Points
» Need for the Project
» Timely Start and Completion
– Realistic construction start date and overall timetable to complete project
» Local Funds Leveraged
– % of project leveraged with other, and/or city funds
» Cost Per Beneficiary
– < $10,000 CDBG dollars / beneficiary
» Capacity to Operate Facility
» Amount of Local Funds Committed or Secured
» Readiness to proceed
– Procurement of Architect
» Will Meet National Objective After Completion
– Certain projects may need to survey; Form 3-D
Stormwater Management
» Defined area – community-wide or targeted area
– Drainage map and analysis of stormwater benefits
– Targeted area project cannot provide community-wide benefit
» Project justification
– Analysis of alternatives – bioswales, detention and infiltration
– Cost effectiveness
– Plan / capacity for maintenance
» Technical Assistance Resources
– Stormwater Tip Sheet
http://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/community/downloads/GreenInfrastructureTip
Sheet_CDBGresource.pdf
http://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/community/stormwater/default.aspx
Readiness Requirements
» Submittal of Application to Other Funding Agencies by CDBG Due
Date
» Documentation of Prior Planning
» Coordination with other Entities
» Documentation of Signed Agreements or Commitments for all
Entities
New for 2015 Applications
» Community Facilities and Services applications - more
competitive applications will have:
– Pre-application meeting with IEDA to discuss high performance
construction consistent with Iowa Green Streets Criteria
– Environmental review complete
– Site Control demonstrated by either:
• An option on the parcel secured with money (if necessary) or
• Ownership - as long as it is purchased prior to the application
submittal date
– Final architectural plans completed or at least underway (CDBG
would pay for only construction)
– Local match committed & documented
New for 2015 Applications
» Stormwater – Community Facilities and Services Fund - more
competitive applications will have:
– Pre-application meeting with IEDA to discuss project scope and
green infrastructure approaches to project
– Environmental review complete
– Final Engineering Complete or at least underway (CDBG would
pay for only construction)
– Working with DNR or IDALS on a sustainability stormwater
project
– Incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed.
Post-Award Reminders
» Recipient Workshop – May 2015
» Conditions for Disbursement
– Admin Plan for Housing Awards
– RARA/Excessive Force Policies
– Contract Conditions must be met
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Lead Based Paint Regulations
SHPO Comments
Contractor Clearance and Reporting
Environmental Review – ROF Letter
Davis Bacon Wage Requirements
URA/Acquisition
Income Surveys
» Survey Tabulation
– Complete survey tabulation results sheet and maintain in your files
– Maintain a copy of the actual survey instrument used
» LMI Verification
– Maintain separate list of those completing survey
– Keep all survey responses completely confidential
– Maintain surveys in file
» Re-survey for some funded projects
– CF&S fund projects with direct beneficiaries
– Potential changes in users
– LMI benefit must be documented at project completion
In Summary…
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Surveys must be completed prior to application submittal
Survey all households if project area is under 300 households
Survey sample must include minimum of 300 households
All households must have equal chance of being surveyed
Survey must have an 80% response rate to be valid
Maintain survey instrument and tabulation results in your files
Surveys must be available for review at monitoring
Contact IEDA with any questions about survey methodology or
sampling
QUESTIONS?
Downtown Revitalization Program
2015 Application Workshop
Ankeny, IA
Stephanie Weisenbach, Project Manager
Iowa Economic Development Authority
Agenda
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Overview
Meeting Slum & Blight National Objective
Tasks and Considerations
IEDA Technical Assistance
OVERVIEW
CDBG Downtown Revitalization Program
“Transformative projects that have long-lasting benefits for the downtown and
contribute toward a comprehensive downtown revitalization effort.”
» Awarded annually, as funds are available (de-obligated funding)
» Projects meet CDBG National Objective of Elimination of Slum and
Blight
» Requires a lot of local coordination and communication
» Highly visible outcomes
Awards Across Iowa 2009 - 2014
2014 Applications
» Awards made to Ida Grove, Garner, Grinnell, Fairfield, and Marion.
» 5 awards made out of 10 applications.
» Weaknesses of rejected applications include:
– Downtown did not have as high of a need, many recent improvements and local
resources
– Buildings proposed for CDBG funds inventoried to be in “good” condition (ineligible).
– Inconsistent budget numbers and building # totals at varying parts within an application.
– Local match not completely committed from verified sources
• Also need documentation showing city match (resolution, minutes or letter, etc)
– Cost estimates and renderings more than the budget could afford
– Proposed improvements not transformative
2015 Application Cycle
» Due Date January 20, 2015
» Changes for 2015 Application and Program
– Minimum of 10 Buildings (not 12) for an award lesser than $500,000
• Applications with less buildings should have a) Smaller downtown to demonstrate
impact for competitiveness, and b) Sufficient local match for overall project impact
– Only Side Facades that are on a Corner Lot in a gateway road to downtown
• No side facades next to vacant buildings or lower traffic local streets
– Content of Property Owner Commitment Form
• Found on IowaGrants.gov under Funding Opp/ Website Links or in application
DTR Required Uploads
» Contact IEDA about a potential application if you haven’t
already!
MEETING SLUM/BLIGHT NATIONAL
OBJECTIVE
Meeting Slum and Blight National Objective
» Identify and describe deteriorating building components, and ensure
the project will address it
» This is the reason why we can use CDBG for Downtown
Revitalization and must be treated with incredible importance
» CDBG can only be used for buildings properly classified in Fair
or Poor condition
» Main components
– Inventory form for each building in Slum and Blight Area
– Summary of Slum and Blight Area form
– City resolution meeting Iowa Code 403 and specific area identified (map
preferred)
Slum and Blight Inventory Forms
» Updated for 2014 application, same for 2015 – MUST USE THESE!!!
– Can be completed by anyone city chooses – working with an architect or contractor is helpful, even
if in addition to grant administrator
» Must describe building conditions, especially for fair or poor – different than
scope of work
» Must include pictures –
– One main photo of façade
– Close-up photos demonstrate fair/poor conditions
– Using more than one extra page for pictures is encouraged.
» Choose a rating for each applicable building component that is VISIBLE
from the front façade.
» Overall property rating must reflect the average of varying applicable
building components
Slum and Blight Inventory Forms
» 2015 Forms that do any of the following…
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Have only one picture of buildings proposed for CDBG improvements
Do not complete a rating for the property components
Do not provide descriptions of deteriorating conditions
Classify buildings in Fair or Poor condition without written and visual justification, and
also propose purely cosmetic improvements for the building
– Classify buildings in Good Condition that are proposed for CDBG funds
…… MAY ELIMINATE YOUR PROJECT FROM FUNDING!!!
Demonstrating the project meets a CDBG National Objective will be
critical for success of applications!
Example Description #1
Example Close-Up Photos for #1
Example Description #2
Example Close-Up Photos for #2
Example Description #3
Example Photos for #3
» Close up not as needed, but still would help.
TASKS AND CONSIDERATIONS
Developing Project
» Most competitive applications work with architect
– Historic preservation and federally-funded project experience
– Can procure them in advance of application to be architect, if awarded
– Need cost estimates to be as realistic as possible. This will factor into
evaluation if the project cost seems very off-base.
» Communicate with IEDA frequently and ask questions
» Engage city leadership early and often
» Provide property owners with realistic expectations on grant, cost
estimates and scope of work.
» Use new DTR Green Streets Criteria
» Updated soft commitment letter from property owners
Tips on Communication with Property Owners
» Don’t promise inclusion in application until slum/ blight inventory
determines fair or poor condition!
» Circulate soft commitment letter templates early
» Discuss cash match and façade easement expectations early
» Importance of responsive, two-way communication
» Do NOT expect construction to begin in 2015
» Convey federal requirements, including:
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City will hire architect and contractor and direct those services
Davis Bacon prevailing wages will apply
All work subject to Secretary of Interior Standards
Entire building subject to federal requirements – IEDA recommends no additional work
to participating buildings from application through grant closure!!!
Evaluation
Appropriateness for CDBG funding
Financing with leveraged funds
Impact
Completion in a timely fashion
Level of community support
Meeting or exceeding building criteria (Iowa Green Streets)
Level of planning completed for comprehensive downtown
revitalization
» Readiness to proceed
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New for 2015 Applications
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Per guidance provided in April 2014, more competitive
applications will have:
Environmental Complete (if project is awarded, cost can be
reimbursed CDBG funds)
Signed agreement with each business with money down in an
escrow account ($1,000 - $5,000)
Architect procured – must have experience with Secretary of the
Interior standards
Cost estimates completed by architect
Incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed.
IEDA Assistance
» Conference call or webinar with a few local stakeholders
» IEDA staff visit
– Visit is optional, not required or part of application competitiveness
– Request should come from the city
– Expectations on timing
• After key local decision-makers and partners have learned basics of DTR program
• Eligibility questions mostly resolved
• Application is likely
• City commitment to downtown revitalization evident
• Flexibility on scheduling
– Only on a first-come, first serve basis.
Questions?
Stephanie Weisenbach
Project Manager
Iowa Economic Development
Authority
[email protected]
Before You Apply
IOWA GREEN STREETS CRITERIA
Iowa Green Streets Criteria
» What is it?
– High performance design & construction guidelines that guide
• What is built
• Where it is built
• How it is built
» Why the Iowa Green Streets Criteria
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Durable
Healthy
Efficient
Sustainable
Iowa Green Streets Criteria
» Who must use the Iowa Green Streets Criteria
– All community facility projects renovating or constructing a building
– Downtown Revitalization projects use separate criteria in its application
Iowa Green Streets Criteria
» “Mandatory” requirements through-out
» Considered as a requisite for funding (new “threshold”
requirements)
» Information, forms and documentation must be submitted
with the Community Facilities Applications
» Treat as important as HUD
requirements
Iowa Green Streets Criteria
» There are a number of “optional” items
» You can gain a slight competitive edge by doing optional
elements
» Optional items proposed will become part of awarded contracts
Iowa Green Streets Criteria
» Technical Assistance Available
– Utility providers often provider energy consulting services
– IEDA offering design consultation assistance
• Makes for a better project
• Makes for a better project budget
» Good, early integrated planning is key to a quality,
affordable, and sustainable project
Iowa Green Streets Criteria
» Questions?
– Jeff Geerts, 515-725-3069 or [email protected]
» Stormwater Technical Assistance
– Contact Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Urban Conservation
Program Team
• [email protected] or 515-281-5851
ANY FINAL QUESTIONS?
Thank You!
We look forward to great applications…

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