1 Community Development Block Grant (
CDBG)
Grant
Program Management
Proposal
City of
Cathedral City
2 Contact Information:
Darrell Stamps MPA - Managing Partner
THE RAMSAY GROUP
www.theramsaygroup.com
3 FIRM IDENTIFICATION
Legal Name: The Ramsay Group, LLC
Telephone Number: 213.256.7657
Email Address: [email protected]
Authorized Agents: Darrell Stamps, Managing Partner
Certification: Certified Minority and Woman Owned Business Enterprise
Federal Tax ID Number: 83-0417612
4 1. COVER LETTER
October 20, 2022
John Corella – Director of Engineering / Public Works
City of Cathedral City
68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero,
Cathedral City, CA 92234
RE: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF C ATHEDERAL CITY”S CDBG PROGRAM
Dear Mr. Corella:
The Ramsay Group is pleased to present our proposal to the City of Cathedral City to provide Administrative Support Services for your Community Development Block Grant Program.
The Ramsay Group specializes in minimizing the regulatory burden most public managers face by working along- side them and applying efficient private -sector structure and systems. Our team also has more than 20 years of experience managing and providing technical support for Housing and Urban Development programs such as Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); Home Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG). Our firm has provided HUD technical assistance to more than 60 California jurisdictions.
Our objective is to be an independent contractor capable of providing experienced, knowledgeable, and professional management services; be responsive and maintain excellent working relationships with city residents, businesses, government offici als and city staff; and provide adequate staffing levels at all times and adhere to established schedules. TRG shall be knowledgeable of and comply with federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Cathedral City’s Municipal Code.
Lastly, The Ramsay Group is uniquely positioned to excel in this role for the City of Cathedral City. We have a long history of providing HUD related support services for jurisdictions within the Coachella Valley. TRG serves the same roles as outlined in this RFP for the Cities of Palm Springs (2 years) and Indio (10 years). We also successfully completed the City of Cathedral City’s 2017 Consolidated Plan and Assessment to Fair Housing (AFH). The City’s AFH was one of the first successfully completed and approved in the nation. This familiarity with the region and the City of Cathedral City will allow us to hit the ground running, with marginal impact on current City staff’s time.
Should you have any further questions or concerns, please contact me directly. I reviewed all elements of the RFP and understood its requirements. I will be the contact/ lead person for this assignment and authorized to obligate the Firm contractually. I can be reached at [email protected] or 213 -256-7657. Our fax is 661-554-0198.
The Ramsay Group is the State of California certified Minority Business Enterprise. We look forward to working with you.
We thank you for considering our submission and look forward to the privilege of working with your jurisdiction.
Regards,
Darrell Stamps MPA, Managing Partner
5 2. QUALIFICATION OF STAFF AND REFERENCES
For over two decades, The Ramsay Group has provided over 60 jurisdictions with accurate and concise strategic planning and project management services. Our track record for successfully developing long-range strategies and managing local programs is extensive and well known. It is the result of tailoring our services to each client’s specific needs and understanding the socio -economic conditions of any jurisdiction, which includes land use, infrastructure, affordable housing, labor market , and the unique needs and desires of local stakeholders. TRG experience covers the complete gamete of Local, State and Federal planning and program management. They include Housing Elements, Consolidated Plans, 10 Year Plans to End Chronic Homelessness and the newly established Assessment of Fair Housing.
What makes us different?
Two aspects of The Ramsay Group help us stand out from our competitors. First, our products and services reflect the insight we acquire from affordable housing and community development analysts . All our products and services are based on strong community and affordable housing research. Our team of in-house experts combines years of applied knowledge with contemporary planning practices. Second, our services and products reflect our experience as planners and community development consultants. We have worked in communities across the U.S. and have witnessed successful planning and development tactics duplicated again and again. We have a proven process of working with diverse communities to identify not just obvious impediments, but assets that can be used to accomplish desired change.
CDBG Administration and Technical Assistance
Jurisdiction : City of Palm Springs
Project Description: 2020-23 CDBG Administration
Status: On Going
Jurisdict ion : City of Indio
Project Description: 2016 CDBG IDIS Management and 2014, 2015,2016 CDBG Technical Assistance Status: On Going
Jurisdiction : City of Mesa, AZ
Project Description: 2015-2019 Supervised CDBG and ESG Programs. Responsible for the management of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity; Responsible for CDBG/ESG/and Human Services Grants Application Process; Compliance and Monitoring; Consolidated Planning Process; Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing; Labor Standards; Environmental Reviews; Section 3; and supervising program staff.
Status: Ended in September 2019
Jurisdiction : City of Chino Hills
Project Description: 2014, 2015,2016 CDBG Technical Assistance Status: On Going
Jurisdiction: City of El Monte
Project Description: 2016 -2017 Supervised CDBG and ESG Programs. Responsible for the management of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity; Responsible for CDBG/ESG/and Human Services Grants Application Process; Compliance and Monitoring; Consolidated Planning Process; Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing; Labor Standards; Environmental Reviews; Section 3; and supervising program staff.
Status: Ended in June 2017
Jurisdiction : City of Norwalk
6 Project Description: 2015 and 2016 CDBG and HOME Technical Assistance Status: Ended in June 2017
Jurisdiction : Bristol Township, PA
Project Description: CDBG and HOME Administration
Status: Ended in June 2018
Jurisdiction : Broward County, FL
Project Description: 2015 and 2016 Staff training on IDIS, eCon Planning Suite and Environmental Assessments as well as on-going technical assistance as needed.
Status: Ended in June 2018
Jurisdiction : City of Spartanburg, South Carolina
Project Description: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 Ongoing technical assistance as needed (IDIS, Environmental Review, CDBG & HOME Program Management)
Status: Ended in June 2017
Jurisdiction : Lexington County, South Carolina
Project Description: 2015-2016 Technical assistance as needed (IDIS, Environmental Review, CDBG & HOME Program Management)
Status: Ended in June 2017
Jurisdiction : City of Richmond, California
Project Description: IDIS Technical Assistance (sub-contractors for TDA) Status: Complete March 2015 – September 2015
Partial List of Completed Consolidated Plans and Analysis of Impediments • Updated the City of Palm Springs’ 2020 Consolidated Plan/ AP and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
• Updated the City of Burbank’s 2020 Consolidated Plan/ AP and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice • Updated the City of Whittier’s 2020 Consolidated Plan/ AP and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice • Updated the City of Garden Grove’s 2020 Consolidated Plan/ AP and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
• Updated the City of Porterville’s 2020 Consolidated Plan/ AP and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
• Updated the City of Chino’s 2020 Consolidated Plan/ AP and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice • Updated the City of Indio’s 2019 Consolidated Plan/ AP and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice • Updated the Consortium of Town of Apple Valley and City of Victorville’s 2017 Consolidated Plan and Assessment of Fair Housing
• Updated City of Cathedral City’s 2017 Consolidated Plan and 2016 Assessment of Fair Housing • Updated the City of Delano’s 2015 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice • Updated the City of Norwalk’s 2015 Consolidated Plan/ AP and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice • Updated the City of Lancaster’s 2015 Consolidated Plan/ AP and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing • Updated the City of Merced’s 2015 Consolidated Plan/ AP and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice • Updated the City of Clovis’s 2015 Consolidated Plan/ AP and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice • Updated the City of Pico Rivera’s 2015 Consolidated Plan/ AP and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing • Updated the City of Carson’s 2015 Consolidated Plan/ AP and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice • Updated the City of Glendale’s 2015 Consolidated Plan • Updated the City of El Monte’s 2015 Consolidated Plan 7 • Updated the City of La Habra’s 2015 Consolidated Plan • Updated the City of Whittier’s 2015 Consolidated Plan • Updated the City of Encinitas’s 2015 Consolidated Plan • Updated the City of Indio’s 2014 Consolidated Plan/ AP and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice • Updated City of Chino Hills 2013 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice • Updated City of Santa Barbara 2013 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice • Updated City of Lancaster 2013 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice • Updated City of Turlock and Stanislaus County HOME Consortium 2010-2015 Consolidated Plan and AAP • Updated the City of Clovis’s 2010- 2015 Consolidated Plan/ AP and Analysis of Impediments • Updated the City of Pico Rivera’s 2010 - 2015 Consolidated Plan/ AP and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing
• Updated the City of Visalia’s 2010- 2015 Consolidated Plan/ AP and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing • Updated the City of Bakersfield’s 2010- 2015 Consolidated Plan/AP and Analysis of Impediments • Updated the City of Yuba City’s 2010- 2015 Consolidated Plan • Updated City of Yuba’s Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy 2010 • Updated the County of Madera’s 2008 Housing Element
• Updated the City of Delano’s 2008 Housing Element
References for CDBG administration services.
Agency Contact Name/Address Phone Number Summary of Service City of Indio Jesus Gomez – Housing Manager
100 Civic Center Mall/ Indio, CA 92201
Office: (760) 391-4028/ [email protected]
760- 541-4260 CDBG program technical
assistance / IDIS Management/
ConPlan, AAP and CAPER
Development
City of Palm
Springs
Jay Virata- Director, Community &Economic
Development City of Palm Springs, 3200 E.
Tahquitz Canyon Way ,Palm Springs, CA 92262
[email protected]
(760) 323-8228
CDBG program administration /
ConPlan, AAP and CAPER
Development
City of
Burbank
Maribel Leyland
City of Burbank Housing Authority Manager
[email protected]
(818-238-5158) CDBG. HOME program
administration / ConPlan, AAP
and CAPER Development
8 3. SCOPE OF WORK
Overall understanding of the Project
The above-assigned personnel will serve as a temporary extension of the City of Cathedral City staff, bringing new insights, strategies and management that can be used by the City to ensure the successful administration of the CDBG program. We will ensure daily coordination with the City and ensure seamless transfer of information. We will also provide monthly reports on the program’s progress and make staff available for departmental meetings or public presentations.
OVERALL ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANCE
The Ramsay Group’s program administration/project implementation shall include, but not be limited to: conducting HUD/NEPA environmental review(s); coordinating with funding agencies; developing and administering agency contract(s); requesting, tracking and managing program funds in compliance with program guidelines; developing required public record systems; preparing for and assisting with agency audits and site visits; Davis-Bacon record- keeping requirements; any acquisition or Uniform Relocation Act compliance; any bid/contract grant requirements; technical support on any other requirements or criteria for implementation; developing appropriate agency reports, schedules and certifications; coordinating and conducting any required community and public inp ut meetings; providing agency reports; and developing any annual and closeout agency submissions.
TRG shall, as authorized, undertake the necessary management, data- gathering, analysis and reporting necessary to ensure the City complies with all Federal, State and Local regulations and requirements associated with effective implementation, management, and oversight of the City’s CDBG Program. At a minimum, TRG will provide the following activities.
A. General consultation, assistance and/or recommendations to the City of Cathedral City CDBG Administrative Staff (and its subcontractors/sub-recipients if requested) in matters relating to the administration and execution of its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, including project planning, implementation services, and quarterly project activity reporting.
B. Provide assistance with updates to the IDIS system to ensure all projects include required activity descriptions, locations, and beneficiaries
C. Provide assistance in the preparation of a system of reporting and recordkeeping that includes the quarterly updating of data in the IDIS and the establishment and maintenance of activity records sufficient to demonstrate that each activity meets the regulatory requirements of the CDBG program
D. Meet as needed with the staff of the Office of Community Development to review program progress and program regulations.
E. Provide assistance in compiling eligibility documentation in accordance with HUD regulations for funded projects, including National Objective determinations and assistance with determining the level of environmental review required for each project/activity (which shall include assistance in preparing an Environmental Review Record (ERR).
F. Provide assistance in preparing for the Department of Housing & Urban Development program monitoring of CDBG projects.
G. Preparation and Successful Submission of the Consolidated Annual P erformance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). TRG will submit the CAPER to the U.S. Department of Housing and A. Urban Development (HUD) within 90 days of the end of the City’s program year as required. The CAPER will be prepared using the eCon Planning Suite and in accordance with CFR Part 91 and related HUD directives titled Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Reporting for Entitlement Grantees.
IDIS MAINTENANCE
The Ramsay Group will assist staff in setting up and maintaining CDBG project information on the Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS). IDIS maintenance will occur as requested by City each year, with a minimum of quarterly to update accomp lishments and create drawdown vouchers.
General technical assistance will be provided as requested. TRG will provide assistance with updates to the IDIS system to ensure all projects include required activity descriptions, locations, and beneficiaries.
Tasks will include, but not limited to, the following:
• Activity set- up new and maintenance of activity status • Enter and maintain project/activity accomplishments
• Report generation
• Activity funding as requested by City staff
• Set up draw-down vouchers as requested by City staff
• Create Program Income receipts
• Clean up IDIS information as needed
• Provision of technical assistance to City staff on HUD program administration and reporting requirements
• Monitoring of programs and files for eligibility
• File set-up and closeout
• Application Review and income eligibility determination • Provide sub-recipient monitoring
• Provide staff training as requested
• Provide annual affordable housing monitoring
SCHEDULE OF COMPENSATION
FEE SCHEDULE
TRG will provide the necessary services in the amount not to exceed a total of $50,000 annually. The Agreement will be for one year with the provision for two one-year extensions. This amount will include all out-of-pocket incidental costs, such as mailings, use of databases, telephone, printing, travel and other expenses. The hourly rate is calculated at $95 based on an estimated average amount of consulting/work hours of 15 hours a week per month. Except as otherwise provided on the
Agreement, TRG will invoice charges for professional services once a month at its hourly rate of $95/hour. The capped not-to-exceed amount (fee) includes all work to be undertaken as necessary to satisfy all obligations within the Scope of Services.