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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBlock Grant Program - 2020 COMMUNITY SERVICES ImiR DEPARTMENT M E M O R A N D U M DATE: August 27, 2019 TO: Don Persson, Council President Members of Renton City Council VIA: Denis Law, Mayor Robert Harrison, CAO FROM: Kelly Beymer, Community Services Administrator STAFF CONTACT: Dianne Utecht, Human Services Coordinator/Community Development Block Grant Specialist SUBJECT: Community Development Block Grant Notice of Public Hearing Renton receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds annually from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the King County Consortium. In order to access and program those funds, we are required to hold a public hearing, with a notice published a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the public hearing. Due to Council's schedule and the King County deadline for project submission for 2020 CDBG funding, we wanted to make Council aware of the proposed projects prior to the required 30 day notice in order for Renton to receive approximately$406,000 of 2020 funds. Normally we would bring this to Council prior to the publication. Staff is proposing to use the funds as follows: • Approximately $70,141 for planning and administering the CDBG funds. • Approximately $336,676 for the Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project. This project will complete the engineering and establish a phased capital improvement plan for the installation of the Downtown streetscape projects per the City of Renton Downtown Streetscape Design Standards and Guidelines and the Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan. The proposed Streetscape improvements include new and/or modified sidewalks, crosswalks, bike racks, bollards, newspaper racks, benches, alternative seating, streetscape fencing, receptacles (trash, ash, recycle), pedestrian lighting, roadway lighting, advance direction signs, gateway signs, vehicular directional signs, pedestrian directory, interpretive panel signs, pedestrian directional signs, utility City of Renton Council President and Council Members Page 2 of 2 August 27,2019 cabinets, signal boxes, plantings, street trees (tree pit, tree grate) and planter fencing. The work to be performed by the consultant includes all environmental services, engineering services and creation of a phased capital improvement plan. The first phase will include Wayfinding (signage) and will be substantially completed by the end of this year. Subsequent phases will address work on Wells, Williams, and 3rd Avenue. On September 16t", Council will be asked to set the public hearing date for October 7, 2019. City of Renton Notice of Public Comment Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds Proposed Use of 2020 Funds. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Renton City Council has fixed the 7th day of October, 2019 at 7:00 pm as the date and time for a public hearing to be held in the Council Chambers of Renton City Hall, Seventh Floor, 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton,WA 98057,to provide an opportunity for public comment on the allocation of CDBG funds. Public comment is requested on the proposed 2020 CDBG allocations. 2020 Funds The City will receive an estimated $701,407 in 2020 CDBG funds.After contractual set asides covering the King County administration and human service program costs,the amount available is estimated to be $406,816,which the City is proposing to allocate as follows: 1) Planning and Administration: $70,141 or the maximum amount allowable to plan and administer the CDBG program at 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057; and 2) Public Facilities and Improvements Program: The estimated balance of$336,676 is proposed for public facilities and improvements. The Public Facilities and Improvements Program for Downtown/South Renton (the "Downtown Streetscape Improvements")will augment improvements already planned through the Downtown's one-way conversion at Wells, Williams and Main Avenues. Intersection improvements and sidewalk replacement are planned along S 3rd Street between Burnett and Main;Wells Avenue S between S 2nd and 5th streets; Williams Avenue S between S 3rd and 5th streets; and Main Avenue S between S 2nd and 3rd streets.The proposed improvements include new and/or modified sidewalks, crosswalks, bike racks, bollards, newspaper racks, benches, alternative seating, receptacles, lighting, plantings, and gateway, directional, and interpretive panel signs. Wayfinding (signage) will be done as part of the first phase of the project. More than 51%of the service area's residents are low and moderate income. The service area is primarily residential and includes Block Group 3, Census tract 253.01, and Block Groups 1- 3, Census tract 253.02. 2020 Contingency Plan. Should Renton's allocation increase, after funding planning and administration to the maximum allowable amount, any increases in entitlement or recaptured funds will go to the Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project. Any decreases in entitlement will decrease the amount allocated to the Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project. CDBG Program Income will be allocated to the Healthy Housing Program. Any Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project funds not under contract by December 31, 2020, will be recaptured and reallocated to the Healthy Housing Program. For approximately every$15,000 in funding, Healthy Housing is proposing to replace the roof and add/or improve ventilation to minimize moisture/mold issues for one household. Healthy Housing clients will be selected from current Housing Repair Clients. Funds will be targeted to the Housing Repair Clients residing in the Sunset area. If there are not enough households identified for Healthy Housing services in that area after appropriate outreach is completed, then Housing Repair clients citywide will be eligible for Healthy Housing services. For more information on the proposed uses of CDBG funds, contact David Buchheit, Economic Development Manager, City of Renton at 425-430-7270 or Dbuchheit@Rentonwa.gov.. This notice is available in alternate formats upon request for individuals with disabilities. All interested parties are invited to attend the public hearing and present written or oral comments regarding the proposal. Renton City Hall is compliant with the American Disabilities Act, and interpretive services for the hearing impaired will be provided upon prior notice. Call (425)430-6510 for additional information. I Jason A. Seth, CMC City Clerk Published in Renton Reporter September 6, 2019 Account No. 50650