AgdaPkt 2021.03.22 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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8.A. - Page 2 of 18 specific federal and non-federal resources that will be used each year to address the priority needs and specific goals identified by the Consolidated Plan. On April 22, 2019, the City Council approved the 2019- 2020 Annual Action Plan (2019 Action Plan), which covers the program year from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was enacted, which made available $5 billion in CDBG-CV funding. The CDBG-CV funding is intended to immediately address COVID-19 impacts in the community. HUD allocated $2 billion of the CDBG-CV funding to existing CDBG grantees and $1 billion to states and insular areas. The City's first allocation of CDBG-CV funds was $448,039 and on May 4, 2020, the City Council approved the first amendment to the 2019 Action Plan to incorporate this funding and allocate it to the City's COVID- 19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program. On September 11, 2020, the City received a second allocation of CDBG-CV funds in the amount of $642,288. In total the City has received $1,090,327 in CDBG-CV funds. The City is seeking to amend its 2019 Action Plan again to incorporate the second allocation of CDBG-CV funding (2019 Action Plan Second Amendment), as HUD requires jurisdictions to amend the same Action Plan for each new CDBG-CV allocation. HUD has also issued several waivers to expedite the use of CDBG-CV funds. These waivers include the Citizen Participation Public Comment Period for Consolidated Plan Amendment Waiver, which reduces public comment period requirements, and the Citizen Participation Reasonable Notice and Opportunity to Comment Waiver, which allows for virtual public hearings. Staff submitted a notification on March 2, 2021, notifying HUD of the City's intent to use both of these waivers. HUD acknowledged receipt of this notification on March 3, 2021. ANALYSIS The CDBG-CV funds are intended to fund CDBG-eligible activities that prevent the spread of COVID-19 and/or facilitate assistance to eligible communities and households economically impacted by COVID-19. While there are several types of CDBG-eligible activities that could address COVID-19 impacts, almost all of the CDBG regulations are still in effect including federal labor (e.g. Davis Bacon), procurement, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental review requirements. Therefore, it is important for the City to strike a balance between addressing an urgent need in the community and using the funds for a project that is feasible within the City's current staff capacity and resources. Proposed Amendments to the 2019 Action Plan Staff recommends allocating $218,066 to CDBG-CV Planning & Administration, $275,000 to COVID-19 Childcare Provider Assistance Program and $149,222 to the City's existing COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program. These recommendations are based on the overwhelming need for rental, mortgage, utility and childcare provider assistance in the community. In addition, the City Council has expressed a desire to help childcare providers in the past. Lastly, staff also reached out to two COVID-19 testing site administrators to see if there was a need for additional funding however staff did not receive a response. Page 2 of 7 City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.ore 373