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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/27/2017 P&Z Minutes CDBG MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING& ZONING COMMISSION Public Service Requests Hearing Date:April 27,2017 PROPERTY ADDRESS: 50 S. Emerson Street PETITIONER: Village of Mount Prospect PUBLICATION DATE: April 12, 2017 REQUEST: Public Service Community Block Grant Funding Requests for Program Year 2017 Action Plan MEMBERS PRESENT Sharon Otteman William Beattie Norbert Mizwicki Joseph Donnelly, Chair MEMBERS ABSENT: Agostino Filippone Thomas Fitzgerald Keith Youngquist STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Consuelo Arguilles-Deputy Director of Community Development Jason Shallcross-Development Review Planner Janet Saewert-Neighborhood Planner INTERESTED PARTIES: Various Public Service Organizations Chairman Donnelly called the meeting to order at 7:46 pm. Commissioner Otteman made a motion seconded by Commissioner Beattie to approve of the minutes from the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on March 23,2017. The minutes were approved 4-0. After hearing one case, Chairman Donnelly introduced Item B on the Agenda,Public Service Community Block Grant Funding Requests for Program Year 2017. Ms. Saewert gave a brief background regarding the annual allocation of funds the Village receives on an annual basis. She explained that the funding allocation is less certain for Program Year 2017,because of proposed cuts in the federal fiscal budget; the Village's budget is based on estimates and will need to be adjusted proportionately once our allocation is announced. She stated the timeline remains the same and the Village is required to draft an annual Action Plan for the upcoming year that addresses priorities established in the 5 Year Consolidated Plan. Ms. Saewert further explained that the program year 2017 Action Plan proposes eligible activities for the time period of Oct 1, 2017- Sept 30, 2018. CDBG funds must be used for activities that benefit primarily the Village's low/moderate income residents. She stated that funding for the Annual Plan comes from 3 sources: Annual grant allocation Program Income-generated by loans paid back thru our 0%interest Rehab Programs, carry over funds, funding not spent in previous years. Planning and Zoning Commission-April 27,2017 CDBG Public Service Organization 2017 Requests Joseph Donnelly- Chair Ms. Saewert explained that the Planning and Zoning Commission's responsibility is to review funding requests from non-Village agencies and make recommendations concerning those requests. She further explained that the amount of funding that can be allocated for public services is limited by HUD to a maximum of 15% of our grant allocation plus 15% of the prior year program income. Based on these guidelines,the Village is estimating $40,000 is available for Public Service programs or approximately 55% of the total funding requests we received. She further stated that two non-Village agencies have also requested funding for"public facility"projects, not subject to the 15% cap. Ms. Saewert summarized the criteria evaluated by Village Staff regarding the funding requestsy as the following: • Is the Program an eligible HUD activity • To what extent does it address the Priority Needs in our Consolidated Plan • Are the services beyond the scope of our Human Services Department • Are the funds used for direct client costs • How much of an impact will our CDBG funding have on their program • How many of our residents do they propose to serve Ms. Saewert stated that Staff believes all of the applicants provide invaluable services to our residents, however funding is limited because of the reporting burden, HUD has also given the Village the direction to concentrate funding on fewer public service providers. Ms. Saewert stated that Staff is requesting the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend approval of the proposed funding amounts as shown Attachment 3 of the packets, to be proportionately adjusted once our program year 2017 allocation is confirmed. The annual plan will also be available for a 30 day public review period starting mid-May and will go to Village Board in July 2017. Commissioner Beattie clarified that the 15% cap of the grant allocation was consistent in the years past. Ms. Saewert confirmed that the 15% cap is a HUD requirement and that it is consistent with previous years. Chairman Donnelly swore in LeRoy Messanger from Northwest Compass 1300 W.Northwest Highway. Mr. Messanger gave a brief description about the organization's mission to help the homeless and the various programs they provide to the homeless or those who are in financial need because of some kind of tragic life event. He stated that Northwest Compass generally uses the funds from the CDBG grant to help offset the staffing costs used for counseling services. Hearing no questions from the board, Chairman Donnelly swore in Suzanne Ploger from Journeys 1140 E.Northwest Highway Palatine, Illinois. Ms.Ploger stated that services provided by Journeys include all of upper Cook County,including 37 villages and 10 townships. She stated as other agencies are experiencing cuts in funding,Journey's is increasing the amount of services they provide because they don't receive state funding. In turn, they are Planning and Zoning Commission-April 27,2017 CDBG Public Service Organization 2017 Requests Joseph Donnelly- Chair receiving more clients because of the budget cuts other organizations are facing. She further gave a brief explanation of the organization's 2017 goals. Chairman Donnelly swore in Gabriela Arias from Wings. Ms. Arias explained that Wings provides safe houses and integrated services as well as advocacy, and education to end domestic violence. Education and advocacy to end domestic violence are the primary services that they provide. The primary recipients of their services are adults and children who are experience domestic violence and homelessness. She explained that the Suburban Safe House Shelter and their Transitional Housing programs are funded by CDGB. She gave a brief description about the program process and how they help clients. Chairman Donnelly swore in Mark Parr from the Children's Advocacy Center 640 Illinois Blvd. Hoffman Estates. Mr.Parr noted that the organization provides long-term counseling for children and non-offending parents exposed to violence and sexual abuse. He explained that the organization is open 24 hours a day to help victims at all times;he further stated they work closely with local law enforcement to help with investigations. He stated this past year; the agency helped 26 children from Mount Prospect. He stated the grant money would help assist in a renovation of the current agency's location,which is badly in need of repair. Chairman Donnelly swore in Greg Walkington, Operations Director for Search Inc. 511 Highland Ave. Mr.Walkington stated that the funds will be put towards energy efficiency items for the house including insulation, storm doors, and roof improvements. Residents of the home have intellectual disabilities. Mr. Walkington stated that all of Search's locations are in the Chicagoland area. He stated that the nonprofit organization provided day and career services for over 450 individuals every day. Chairman Donnelly swore in Jim Hughnick, Executive Director for Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault 415 W. Golf Road Arlington Heights Mr. Hughnick stated that the funds will be used to support counseling and advocacy staff who support victims of sexual abuse and sexual assault. He further stated that the Northwest CASA provides services to people of all ages, and that approximately 25% of all clients are under the age of 18. He stated that last year the agency saw over 700 victims and responded to over 200 hospital emergency calls. He stated that all of the agency's services are free, and that they rely on funding from local communities to continue providing free services. He further stated that they rely on a large volunteer base including qualified local community members and graduate students. Chairman Donnelly swore in Kimberly Mertz, Director of Operations for Access to Care, at 2225 Enterprise Drive in Westchester. Mrs. Mertz stated that although Access to Care is not currently in the budget, she wanted to take the time to speak about her agency's services. Access to Care was created in 1988 with the purpose of providing additional access to health care. She stated that many low income residents cannot afford insurance due to high premiums. Her agency works with low income,uninsured, and underinsured residents of Cook Planning and Zoning Commission-April 27,2017 CDBG Public Service Organization 2017 Requests Joseph Donnelly- Chair County to provide affordable access to a primary physician, lab and radiology services, and prescriptions. She stated that these benefits are available on an unlimited, as needed basis. She stated that the agency is hoping to add basic behavioral health services this summer. She stated that their support primarily comes from the Cook County Hospital system and the municipalities that they serve,including more than 200 in Mount Prospect. Commissioner Beattie asked how services are provided to these patients. Mrs. Mertz named several local service providers and went over contract stipulations with those providers. Chairman Donnelly asked if anyone from the public was present to speak on this case. Hearing no one,he closed the hearing. Chairman Donnelly requested a motion to provide the funding as requested. Commissioner Otteman made the motion and Commissioner Mizwicki seconded that motion. Commissioner Beattie suggested a modification to the motion; that the five thousand dollars ($5,000) allocated to Children's Advocacy Center's funding for public services be reduced to zero in order to fund two other programs. He stated that they are already receiving twenty thousand dollars ($20,000)to renovate an existing building. He suggested that the five thousand dollars ($5,000)be split to give Access to Care two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) and Resources for Community Living two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500). Commissioners Beattie and Mizwicki discussed whether or not the funding could come out of the public services fund. Commissioner Mizwicki asked Staff if they were allowed to re-distribute funds. Staff confirmed this was allowed. Chairman Donnelly reiterated that they are making a recommendation only, and that the case is Village Board final. Chairman Donnelly requested an amended motion,reflecting the changes that Commissioner Beattie proposed. Commissioner Otteman,who made the original motion, agreed to the amended motion. Commissioner Mizwicki,who seconded the original motion, agreed to the amended motion: "To approve the funding as requested except that the five thousand dollars ($5,000) to be given to Children's Advocacy Center be retracted and given to Access to Care and Resources for Community Living in even amounts of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500)." UPON ROLL CALL AYES: Otteman, Beattie, Mizwicki, Donnelly NAYS: None Planning and Zoning Commission-April 27,2017 CDBG Public Service Organization 2017 Requests Joseph Donnelly- Chair Commissioner Beattie made a motion seconded by Commissioner Mizwicki and the meeting was adjourned at 8:43 pm. } Jason C. Shallcross Development Review Planner Planning and Zoning Commission-April 27,2017 CDBG Public Service Organization 2017 Requests Joseph Donnelly- Chair