This resolution requests the City Council to approve capital project uses funded with CDBG and include them in the FY 2003-04 Annual Plan and Final Statement of Community Development Objectives and Projected Use of Funds.

Burbank submits an Annual Plan and applications for federal funds, including CDBG, pursuant to regulations dated January 5, 1995, covering 24 CFR Part 91, Consolidated Submissions for Community Planning and Development Programs. Both the Annual Plan and the Final Statement describe activities/projects planned to accomplish goals and objectives stated in the Consolidated Plan (FY 2003-08), which is currently being prepared. Activities eligible under the CDBG program must principally benefit persons of low and moderate income, aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight, or address community development needs having a particular urgency. For Burbank, CDBG funds are used for capital improvement projects, public services and program administration.

The Annual Plan and Final Statement of Community Development Objectives and Projected Use of Funds is scheduled for formal submission in May 2003. However, due to a U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) regulations regarding the timeliness of CDBG expenditures, capital project requests are being accepted earlier for City approval, allowing sufficient lead time for completing pre-development tasks such as project design, preparation of specifications and bid scheduling. This advanced implementation process permits projects to go forward immediately when federal applications are approved and funds are budgeted by HUD.

By February 2003, the City will receive HUD�s entitlement allocation notice for FY 2003-04. Meanwhile, the CDBG capital amount is estimated at $1,071,850 based on last year�s entitlement. When the Annual Plan and Final Statement are approved in April 2003, capital project approvals will be amended to equal the actual entitlement and other fund sources. At that time, appropriations for program administration and public services will be approved at the statutory limits of 20 percent and 15 percent, respectively. CDBG funds are expected to total approximately $1.6 million.

Capital project fund availability and a request for proposals was advertised and noticed to departments/agencies on September 28 and October 2, 2002 with proposals accepted until October 25, 2002. Seven City departments/organizations submitted 17 projects totaling $2,353,000 in requests.

The Community Development Goals Committee met on November 14 to review proposals and make recommendations. The Committee�s rationale for project approvals is predicated on creating a direct/visual impact, benefiting the appropriate citizenry, or providing funds where resources are limited or non-existent. Consistent with this methodology is a non-recommendation for City Code Enforcement and only a partial recommendation for infrastructure improvements. Projects recommended for funding are as follows:

The partial funding recommended for Public Works is to be utilized by the Department on priority projects that can be quickly implemented and spend funds. The request from Burbank Temporary Aid Center was withdrawn due to planning and procedural concerns and the lack of time to appropriately make adjustments.

Executive Staff met on November 20 to review proposals and on January 8, 2003 to finalize recommendations. Their recommendation is to fully fund all proposed projects except for 1) Public Works projects are recommended at $463,566 on priority projects at the Department�s discretion, and 2) No funds are recommended for the Providencia Elementary School Project:

All projects as recommended by the Community Development Goals Committee and the Executive Staff are reflected on Exhibit A, CDBG Capital Projects (Fiscal Year 2003-04).

HUD notification of the City�s award of CDBG funding for FY 2003 will not be known until approximately February 2003. Burbank�s proportionate share of federal funds may also be impacted by the recent 2000 census. Therefore, an accurate assessment cannot be made at this time.

go to the top