(5)AR 020309 Set Public Hearing for February 17

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ITEM #5 CITY OF COLTON AGENDA REPORT FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 3, 2009 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: MARITZA TAPIA, INTERIM PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR SUBJECT: SET A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING 2009-2010 CDBG PROJECTS FOR FEBRUARY 17, 2009. DATE: JANUARY 26, 2009 BACKGROUND The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides financial assistance to grantees for a variety of community development purposes. Since the program's inception in 1974, almost $87 billion has been allocated to grantees. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) uses a formula to calculate the grant amount for each metropolitan city, urban county and State. CDBG program funds can be used to build: roads, parks, to repair or rehabilitate housing, to provide new or increased public services to local residents or to fund initiatives that fund initiatives that generate new jobs. The County of San Bernardino's Community Development and Housing Department (CDH) currently provides project oversight to 13 cities CDBG projects, of which Colton is one. In December 2008, staff submitted all project applications received for CDBG funding to CDH for their review. CDH has completed their review of the Colton applications and forwarded a final list of eligible project applications to Colton staff. To assist staff in recommending projects to be funding in fiscal year 2009/2010 by CDBG funds, an Ad Hoc Committee has been established. The CDBG Ad Hoc Committee consists of three Council members and three Planning Commissioners. The 2009-2010 CDBG Ad Hoc Committee will submit their recommendation for project funding to the City Council at their February 17, 2009 meeting. DISCUSSION/ ANALYSIS The Council approved list of projects is due to CDH on February 27, 2009. To allow the local community to voice their recommendation for project funding, staff requests a public hearing for the 2009-2010 CDBG Projects be held during the February 17, 2009 Council Meeting. In the past, several non-profit organizations have voiced their opinions regarding the selection of CDBG funded projects during the public hearing process; a public meeting was also held on November 25, 2008 to obtain public input. As required, staff will properly advertise the public hearing meeting in local publications. FINANCIAL IMPACT None. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) are achieved on a project -by -project basis prior to construction.