City Council Agenda Report
December 5, 2023
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: John P. Ramirez, AICP, Director of Community Development Bethani Cardenas, Housing Manager
Rosio Medina, Senior Management Analyst
SUBJECT: CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING - RESOLUTION NO. 23-57 - SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2019/20 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT FUNDS AND RESOLUTION NO. 23-58 - BUDGET AMENDMENT OF COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE FUNDS AND
AMENDMENT NO. 1 OF SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT FOR HOMELESS
ASSISTANCE
Background:
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed and approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to combat the spread and impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Through the CARES Act, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) initially granted the City of Norwalk $747,572 in Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV1) funds. On September 11, 2020, HUD informed the City that an additional allocation had been granted in the amount of $850,708 (CDBG-CV3 funds).
Funding and Proposed Activities for the Annual Action Plan The City Council conducted an initial public hearing on October 3, 2023 to consider the reallocation of unused funds from the Business Assistance Program and Emergency Rental Assistance Program activities to the Homeless Assistance activity. The City anticipates the CDBG-CV Program to have $206,447.88 in unused funds. The reallocated funds will provide for continuing homeless assistance to Norwalk’s unhoused neighbors. City Council requested the item be continued to November and requested information on City Net’s collaboration with the Department of Social Services and Public Safety, and to specify services funded for homeless assistance.
City Council December 5, 2023
Resolution No. 23-57 – Substantial Amendment FY Page No. 2 2019/20 Annual Action Plan, Resolution No. 23-58 –
Budget Amendment, and Agreement Amendment
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2 City Net has worked successfully with the Homeless Operation Prevention and Engagement (HOPE) Team and Department of Social Services over the past two years. All three meet regularly and have daily interactions with one another. City Net will continue to provide outreach, case management, and successful street exits to Norwalk’s unhoused population. To date, City Net has accomplished the following with the collaboration of the City’s HOPE Team and Department of Social Services:
•Interacted with 955 clients
•Enrolled 152 clients with services
•Made 25 positive street exits
•Assisted with 140 referrals from the HOPE Team, Department of Social Services, and the Senior Center.
It should be noted that the Homeless Assistance costs allocated from CDBG-CV3 funds will be used to pay for additional and continued services provided by City Net until CDBG-CV funds are exhausted. These homeless assistance services will cover the costs of local implementation of the CDBG-CV funding.
CDBG/CDBG-CV Funds Waivers and Suspensions
With a citizen participation public comment period and reasonable notice waivers, the City may implement a reasonable public notice and reduce the 30-day commenting period to 5-days. The waiver for the 15% public services activities cap will allow the City to fund additional public services activities that serve those affected by COVID-19.
Amendment No.1 for Community Development Block Grant Funds The City entered into a subrecipient agreement with City Net on October 21, 2022 to provide homeless housing navigation services utilizing CARES Act funds.
In response to COVID-19 restrictions and the ongoing housing navigation needs for Norwalk’s unhoused neighbors, the continued services of City Net are necessary in order to maintain expected levels of adequate housing and health services for Norwalk’s unhoused neighbors.
Amendment No. 1 has been prepared and is being presented for consideration.
City Council December 5, 2023
Resolution No. 23-57 – Substantial Amendment FY Page No. 3 2019/20 Annual Action Plan, Resolution No. 23-58 –
Budget Amendment, and Agreement Amendment
6 9
2 Fiscal Impact:
No General Fund impacts. The CDBG-CV funds are granted by HUD through the CARES Act.
The CDBG-CV3 funds will be reallocated as indicated in attached budget amendment Resolution No. 23-58.
Citizens Advised:
Notice of the Public Hearing and the availability of the draft Substantial Amendment to the FY 2019/20 Annual Action Plan was posted at the City’s official posting sites on September 14, 2023, and was published in The Norwalk Patriot in accordance with State law on September 15, 2023.
The Plans were made available on the City’s website, in the Community Development Department, Norwalk Regional Library, the Social Services Center, and the Senior Center from September 15, 2023 through September 22, 2023 for citizens to review and comment before the public hearing.
Notice of the continued Public Hearing for the proposed Substantial Amendment to the FY 2019/20 Annual Action Plan was posted at the City’s official posting sites on November 22, 2023 and published in The Norwalk Patriot in accordance with State law on November 24, 2023.
Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
N/A
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council:
a. consider adopting Resolution No. 23-57, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF NORWALK APPROVING A SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2019/20 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT FUNDS;
b. consider adopting Resolution No. 23-58, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF NORWALK APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2023/24 ADOPTED BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT CARES ACT FUNDS FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; and
c. approve Amendment No. 1 to the subrecipient agreement with City Net to provide housing navigation and health services in an amount not to exceed $436,447.88; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and any additional amendments provided City Council December 5, 2023
Resolution No. 23-57 – Substantial Amendment FY Page No. 4 2019/20 Annual Action Plan, Resolution No. 23-58 –
Budget Amendment, and Agreement Amendment
6 9
2 there is funding in the budget, on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 23-57
2. Resolution No. 23-58