Flores, Dora
From: KatherineFuentes <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March26,
To: Flores, David
Cc: eComment; Garcia, Michael (CDA)
Subject: 2024-2025DraftAnnualActionPlanFeedback
Attention: ThisemailoriginatedfromoutsideofCityofSantaAna. Usecautionwhenopeningattachmentsorlinks.
Hi DavidandSantaAnaTeam,
Thankyoufor thisopportunityto providecommentandfeedbackon the 2024-2025CDBGAllocationProcess andDraftAnnualActionPlan. We kindlyaskthatthiscommentmakeits wayintothepublicrecordandbe usedto improvetheequityof futureallocationprocesses.
Upwardsis veryexcitedto participatein thisyearsallocationprocessandfutureprocesses, as we are committedto supportingthe hardworkingmicroenterprisechildcareprovidersin SantaAnawithSpecial EconomicDevelopment, MicroenterpriseBusinessandTechnicalAssistance.
TheCityof SantaAna's ConsolidatedPlanoutlinesEconomicDevelopmentas a StrategicPlanGoalthatwill promoteeconomicopportunityin the City. Whenwe initiallymetwiththeSantaAnaCDBGTeam, wewere instructedto applythroughthe PublicServiceRFPin an effortto receiveequitableconsiderationfor funding.
However, thereseemedto be a lackof familiaritywithfor-profitorganizationsbeingeligibleto applyfor CDBG fundingunderthe EconomicDevelopmentdesignation. Afterwe appliedthroughthePublicServiceRFP, we weretoldthatwe werenoteligibleto receivefunding.
TheBOOSTProgramis an eligibleCDBGprogram, as outlinedin 24 CFRPart570. Wehaveworkedwith variouscitiesandcountiesall acrossthe countryusingCDBGfundingas a directsubrecipient, we arevery familiarwiththefederalguidelinesandthe eligibilityof ourprogram. Whenweaskedthe Citywhywe were administrativelydenied, we weretoldit wasbecausewe appliedthroughthe PublicServiceRFP, whichis what we weredirectedto do. We submitCDBGapplicationswithhundredsof citiesandcountiesacrossthe country, manyof whomdo not havea specificEconomicDevelopmentRFP. Mostopena PublicServiceRFPandask applicantsto identifytheirprogramby NationalObjectiveandProgramType, in thiscase, Economic Development.
Basedon thisinformation, it seemsthattheCityof SantaAnadoesnotprovidean equitableprocessfor programslikeBOOSTto be consideredfor funding. TheCity's ConPlanidentifiesEconomicDevelopmentas a priorityneedandstrategicgoal, butstaffis not providinga vehiclefor applicantswhoareeligibleto providethis servicea methodto be consideredfor funding.
Upwardskindlyrequeststhatthisbe consideredin futureCDBGNOFAprocesses. Eitherthe PublicService NOFAactsas a vehiclefor all eligibleapplicantsto applyfor fundingunderanyof theeligiblestrategicgoals, or a specificNOFAis createdfor EconomicDevelopmentprogramsto allowfor eligibleprogramsto be consideredfor fundingby the electedbody. Limitingan eligibleapplicant's abilityto submitfor considerationto the electedbodyremovesthe communitiesvisibilityintoprogramsthatmightbe consideredhigherpriorityto the community. Staffshouldalsonot administrativelydenyapplicationsthatareeligibleunderfederal guidelines, as thislimitstheCouncil's abilityto speakon thesepolicyissues. Applicationsthatarenotbeing recommendedfor fundingshouldstillgo beforethe CityCouncilfor theirconsiderationas thepolicymakersof the City.
4 Weunderstandthegrantcompetitioncanbeintense, andweappreciatethetimeandeffortspentreviewingour application. Wefirmlybelievethatourprojectalignswiththehighestgoalsandobjectivesof theCity’sConsolidated Planandwearecommittedtocontributingandsignificantlyimprovingthelivesof themicroenterprisechildcareproviders andtheworkingfamiliestheysupport. As always, wetoowelcomeanyfeedbackon ourapplicationandwayswe canimprovein futurefundingallocationprocesses.
Katherine "Kat" Fuentes
CommunityImpactSeniorManager |
Marinadel Rey, CA90292
Solvingcarefor goodin all 50 states!
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