Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 11-23-2010 Regular — reading text

recommended by the Citizen' s Advisory Committee and the City Council and will be included as an amendment to the FY 2009 -10 CDBG Annual Action Plan.  City of Fort Walton Beach FY 2009 -10 CDBG Annual Action Plan I. COMMUNITY PROFILE The City of Fort Walton Beach, Florida is located in the Florida Panhandle, approximately 40 miles east of Pensacola, Florida. Fort Walton Beach, SMSA has a population of approximately 188, 900 with an estimated 21, 008 living within the City limits. Peak seasonal population of the City is estimated to be around 22,226. The City contains 4, 800 acres or approximately 7. 5 square miles of land and contains 9, 007 dwelling units. Two military installations, Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field, are major employers in the area. These bases have introduced many people to the area who have made Fort Walton Beach their home upon retirement. The City also has a Commerce & Technology Park which contains many defense contracting firms and provides employment for many residents. During times of military cutback, the City has seen the local bases expand or remain constant. Military personnel and their dependents comprise approximately one third of the total population of the City of Fort Walton Beach. As there is no military housing located within the City limits, these households occupy traditional housing types provided by the private sector. Comparison of the 1990 and 2000 Census figures shows that the City has only experienced a moderate increase in population of approximately 2. 1 percent. The City does not expect to experience any significant change to this growth pattern in the near future. The City is bounded by Santa Rosa Sound to the south, Choctawhatchee Bay to the east, and Eglin Air Force Base and Okaloosa County to the north. The only opportunity for the City to significantly impact its growth pattern is through annexation. II. INTRODUCTION The purpose of the FY 2009 -10 CDBG Annual Action Plan is to describe how the City will work towards the goals and strategies outlined in the 2005 -2010 Consolidated Plan. The Annual Action Plan also identifies the City' s commitment to ensure that Fort Walton Beach neighborhoods are places of opportunity that offer decent, safe and affordable housing, promote strong, healthy families, and improve the quality of life of all residents. Programs supported by HUD funding represent some of the City' s primary resources to preserve and increase safe and quality housing, provide services to families and individuals in need, and strengthen economic and workforce development. Understanding the importance of community involvement in planning for development in Fort Walton Beach neighborhoods, the public was invited to help shape this FY 2009 -10 CDBG Annual Action Plan by attending Citizen Advisory Committee ( CAC) meetings and providing comments on the Plan.  The CDBG Annual Action Plan describes activities and funding for housing and community development programs to be administered through the Engineering Services Department of the City of Fort Walton Beach. Activities described in this Plan apply to the City' s Fiscal Year 2009 -10, beginning October 1, 2009 and ending on September 30, 2010. This Annual Action Plan is intended to: Promote citizen participation and develop local priority needs and objectives by providing comprehensive information on the needs of the community; Promote the development of an action plan that provides a basis for assessing performance; and Encourage consultation with public and private agencies to identify shared needs and solutions to community issues and problems. This document serves to present the City of Fort Walton Beach' s proposed FY 2009 -10 CDBG Annual Action Plan. This document describes recommended funding levels to address housing, public services, planning and administrative needs. III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND CONSULTATION The application process starts with Citizen Participation. Citizens and local service providers are asked to discuss their views on how the various grant program funds are to address the common goals that are set by statutes governing the program. These goals are met through a collaborative process. A public meeting is held to obtain citizen views and announce the funding available for next year' s program. Information is also provided on how to apply for public service funds. Citizen comments and suggestions are incorporated into a proposed funding allocation matrix. These comments, the applications received from public service agencies, and the proposed project allocations are forwarded to the Citizen Advisory Committee ( CAC) for consideration. The Community Development Block Grant Citizen Advisory Committee is comprised of up to five citizens who volunteer their time. The CAC reviews all proposals and provides funding recommendations for allocation of CDBG funds. Recommendations are developed by the CAC and City staff and included in the Annual Action Plan, which is advertised for comment for at least 30 days. The City Council then considers all public comments and approves the Annual Action Plan at an advertised public meeting. After the Plan is adopted by City Council and upon acceptance from HUD, a notice is provided in the newspaper that the Final Annual Action Plan is available. In developing the Plan, the City requests and shares information with agencies such as the Fort Walton Beach Housing Authority ( FWBHA), United Way, FRESH Start  Transitional Housing), the Coalition for the Homeless, the Okaloosa Community Development Corporation ( OCDC), Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing, Bridgeway, Sharing and Caring, and other social service agencies within the City. The City has developed a close working partnership with many local churches, military groups and youth groups. Staff provides support to advisory boards such as the CAC, Municipal Planning Board, Community Redevelopment Agency, and Vision Plan Stewardship Committee which further serves to expand the network. In addition, the City is periodically in contact with local social service agencies concerning the needs of the community as indicated in the following table. Tnhh- 2_ Canuiltatinn 24 CFR Requirement A enc ies Yes No 91. 100( a)( 1) Housing Services FWBHA, OCDC, FRESH X Start, Habitat for Humanity Social Services Shelter House, Inc., Striving X for Perfection Ministries, United Way Fair Housing Services OCDC X Health Services Brid ewa , United Way X Homeless Services Okaloosa/Walton Continuum X of Care, FRESH Start 91. 100( a)( 2) Chronically Homeless Continuum of Care X 91. 100( a)( 3) Lead -based Paint X* 91. 100( a )(4) Ad 'acent Government Copies are provided upon X State request. Upon acceptance X County from HUD, the Plan will be X laced on www.fwb.org. 91. 100( a)( 5) Metro Planning Agencies Copies are provided upon X request. Upon acceptance from HUD, Plan will be laced on www.fwb.org. ne uity tests proposed rehabilitation projects for lead based paint, provides the required remedial action, and provides information to homeowner. In FY 2009 -10, the City of Fort Walton Beach' s Engineering Services Department will assume the responsibility of administering the CDBG funds. The Fort Walton Beach Housing Authority ( FWBHA), located within the City limits, administers the Section 8 program for both the City and County. The FWBHA has obtained a developer to build a 200 -unit tax credit project, known as Sound Side, on property now known as Germany Terrace, where 50 units are located and administered by the Housing Authority. The City has donated 2. 7 acres ( 40 units) to make this project viable. The FWBHA and the developer are currently reviewing funding options to complete this project.  IV. SELF EVALUATION In the past, Community Development Block Grant funds have been used to rehabilitate three to six homes per year and to coordinate the World Changers program, which completes 20 re- roofing and re- painting projects each year. In addition, funds have assisted local social service agencies, including providing a summer program for 40 -60 low- and moderate- income youth each year. Although the amount of money provided to the City is limited, the City has been able to use volunteer organizations to provide services to many residents and their children. The City does not have a housing staff, nor does the County, so professional resources are limited. V. PROGRAM YEAR 2009 -2010 CDBG ACTION PLAN (Section 91. 200) a) Attached is the completed Standard Form 424 which identifies the proposed projects for Program Year 2009 -10. b) Resources b. l Federal Resources. Attached is the completed Funding Sources form prescribed by HUD. The CDBG Entitlement is the sole federal funding source administered by the City to address the priority needs and specific objectives identified in the Consolidated Plan. b.2 Other Resources. The following table illustrates the breakdown for federal, state and local resources by program category. Local funds represent the Community Redevelopment Agency funds that are available for specific programs. Table 3. Program Year 2009 -10 Funding Sources Federal Local Funds Programs Funds State Funds ( CRA) Total Public Services -.-Youth $ 20,000 CDBG $ 20, 000 Public Services $ 533, 777 CDBG $ 58, 768 $ 4755000 Housing Rehabilitation $ 35, 000 CDBG $ 35, 000* CRA SHIP Administration $ 281444 $ 28,444 Totals $ 1429212 $ 4759000 $ 6179212 These funds are allocated to the World Changers program.  The City participates in the World Changers Program which is held in June or July. For the past five years, the Okaloosa County Community Development Corporation ( OCDC) has provided funds to supplement the CDBG funds for the purchase of materials. The volunteer labor is provided by the World Changers. World Changers is