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Exh 8DAGENDA ITEM SD FEBRUARY 11, 2002 CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH CITY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT AGENDA ITEM: Request to approve projects for Fiscal Year 2002-2003 Community Development Block Grant SUBMITTED BY: Sonya Doerr, AICP, Community Development Director DATE: January 29, 2002 BACKGROUND: The City of Atlantic Beach maintains an ongoing Interlocal Agreement with the City of Jacksonville to undertake activities funded by Community Development Block Grants pursuant to the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The portion of Duval County federal funds allocated to the City of Atlantic Beach is approximately $150,000 per Fiscal Year. Yearly applications identifying proposed projects are due in February of each year, and grant funds become available on October the 1st of each year. Funds are required to serve low and moderate income azeas within a so-designated project area and maybe used for several categories of activities including public services, public facility and infrastructure improvements, housing rehabilitation, code enforcement and certain special activities undertaken by Community-Based Development Organizations. During recent years the City has used these funds. for a variety of prof ects including improvements to the Donner Pazk and Jordan Park facilities, engineering and design for water and sewer improvements, and septic tank to central sewer conversions. Housing rehabilitation has been a primazy use of funds in recent years. The activities administered by the City have had a perceptible impact within the CDBG project atea. The use of the park facilities has increased and significant private re-investment in the area has occurred. New homes constructed by Habitat have also had a dramatic impact on general housing conditions, and stepped-up law enforcement activity has reduced crime and the perception of crime within the area. On January 28th, City staff met to discuss possible projects for the 2002-2003 Fiscal Yeaz. It was the consensus of staff that funds should be used where the mosf significant "bang-for-buck" impact could be achieved, and that funds should not be used for projects and activities that would normally be budgeted in the near future as typical administrative, service or CIP fimctions. Immediately identified were infrastructure needs, particularly drainage and stormwater improvements within the Dormer's and Royal Palms azeas, as well as the upgrade and extension of central sewer and water lines within azeas not adequately served. Drainage problems are clearly a high priority in this area; however, until the completion of the Stormwater Master Plan late this Fiscal Yeaz, specific projects cannot be identified or budgeted. Implementation of the Stormwater Master Plan within the CDBG project azea may well be the most appropriate use of CDBG funds for the following 2003-2004 Fiscal Yeaz. Staff has recommended that the majority of CDBG funds for the 2002-2003 .Fiscal Year be used for projects that will substantially complete redevelopment of the Jordan Street, Francis Avenue and AGENDA ITEM 8D FEBRUARY 11, 2002 Jordan Park neighborhood within the Dormer's subdivision. This area represents the community center of this portion of the CDBG project azea. Several churches aze located in this area as well as Jordan Park .and the reconstructed community center, and Habitat has constructed 29 new homes in this area. Continuing redevelopment of this area has also had a positive impact on commercial reinvestment along Mayport Road immediately to the west of this neighborhood. Within this area, most streets are in relatively sound condition with the exception of Jordan Street. The section of Jordan Street extending from the park to Dormer's Road consists of a platted 50-foot right-of--way, which is unpaved with no sidewalks or street lights. It is recommended that grant funds be used to pave this road to City standazds with a cul-de-sac and curb and gutter section; install or replace sidewalks along one side of Jordan Street and other streets as needed and install street lights as specified by JEA standards. These activities would fall within the Public Facilities and Improvements category and also the Removal of Architectural Barriers category. It is also recommended that a portion of funds be allocated for Code Enforcement activities throughout the CDBG project area, which would include provision for inspection by Building Inspectors and funds to correct Building Code violations as appropriate. It is anticipated that these funds would be used to correct health and safety related code violations rather than for general housing rehabilitation. Staff has found that there seems to be an ongoing need for such assistance within the project area. The proposed fund would be maintained for use on an as-needed basis, with eligibility and income verification to be determined on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable HUD qualification requirements. RECOMMENDATION: Approval of proposed projects for the Fiscal Year 2002-2003 Community Development Block Grant funds as generally set forth within the attached budget, authorizing the Mayor to sign documents as required to submit application and execute contract. ATTACHMENTS: CDBG Project Area map and proposed Fiscal Year 2002-2003 CDBG budget (Budget is subject to final approval by the City of Jacksonville verifying compliance with applicable Federa and HUD provisions.) REVIEWED BY CITY MAN G 2 ATTACHMENT B AGENDA ITEM 8D FEBRUARY 11, 2002 Community Development Block Grant -Fiscal Year 2002-2003 Budget Itemization Project Goal 1 -Donner Neighborhood Community Infrastructure Improvements (Public Facility and Removal of Architectural Barriers Activity Costs) 1.A Sidewalk installation on Francis Avenue, Jackson Street, $54,000.00 Simmons Road and Jordan Street 1.6 Street light installation along Jordan Street (ten lights. at $700 7,000.00 each 1.C Paving and improvements to Jordan Street to City of Atlantic 66 000.00 Beach street standards er Subdivision Re ulations , Total Public Facilit Activit Costs $127,000.00 Project Goal 2 -Building Code Inspection and Correction of Violations 2.A. -Code Enforcement Activi Costs 2.A.1 Administration and Ins ection $5,000.00 2.A.2 Correction of Violations $25,000.00 Total Code Enforcement Activit Costs $30,000.00 Total FY 2002-2003 CDBG Project Fundin $157,000.00 Atlantic Beach, FI S AB City Limits Lakes & Creeks • Public Works • Munlclpal.shp Parks Water Plants ~ AB Parcelis CDBC3 Areas ~ weus Road Centerlines ~~ ~d ~~ ~c .. z~ N ^ O 00 O b N t:~.4 O 0.4 O.8 Miles