PLACEMENT: Public Hearings
TITLE:
title
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT-CORONAVIRUS PROGRAM PRESENTATION
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
Under the State of Florida Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated additional Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds to address issues related to the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19).
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DEPARTMENT: Administration
PREPARED BY: Name: George M. Stokus
Title: Assistant County Administrator
REQUESTED BY:
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
The County is seeking CDBG-CV funds for public improvements and facilities to benefit Martin County residents in response to COVID-19. Under the CDBG-CV requirements, this is the second of the two required public hearings. In accordance with the requirements, this hearing was published in the TC Palm on October 7, 2021 as well as on the Martin County website. For anyone unable to provide public comment today, written public comment will be accepted by email at gstokus@martin.fl.us <mailto:gstokus@martin.fl.us> until October 25, 2021.
Since the onset of the Coronavirus Pandemic many businesses, especially retail, personal service industries, and restaurateurs, have been and still are immensely impacted by the loss of business the pandemic has caused. In most cases, businesses had to make cuts to maintain a bottom line, adapt to new businesses procedures, reduce worker hours, and in some cases close the business entirely. The pandemic has highlighted a desperate need to reeducate or up-skill the existing and entering workforce in Martin County. Staff was able to identify this need through collaborative sessions with the Business Development Board staff, economic policy groups, chambers of commerce, and various not for profit groups operating in the community.
Staff is proposing the rehabilitation of Building 17 at Witham Field to operate as a Learning Center. Staff also suggests entering into a management agreement with Indian River State College, for the operation of the facility to provide the needed education. A variety of education, such as introductory manufacturing arts (industrial arts); introductory computer science; introductory construction aid; English as a Second Language (ESL); and aviation maintenance, etc. would be provided at the facility to meet the requirements of the CDBG-CV grant and to address the continuing educational unit (CEU) and workforce education needs.
ISSUES:
The CDBG-CV Grant requires the following items be accomplished in order to avoid a repayment penalty:
•The facility must meet a 51% attendance benefit to low and moderate income (LMI) individuals.
•The facility must address the immediate threat to health and welfare of the community.
•The facility must address a need created by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Staff estimates the full buildout for the facility to be $1,400,000. Attached is an estimate package conducted for the rehabilitation of Building 17 on April 18, 2019.
There is no required grant match, but if one is required staff recommends utilizing the Economic Development Trust Fund to meet any match requirements.
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
This item has been reviewed for legal sufficiency to determine whether it is consistent with applicable law, has identified and addressed legal risks, and has developed strategies for legal defensibility.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Move that the Board receive public comment on the proposed use of CDBG-CV funds.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Provide staff with alternative direction.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
None
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Funding Source |
County Funds |
Non-County Funds |
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CDBG-CV |
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$1,400,000 |
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Subtotal |
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Project Total |
$1,400,000 |
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☐Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☐Resolution
☐Other:
This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the County ADA Coordinator (772) 320-3131, the County Administration Office (772) 288-5400, Florida Relay 711, or by completing our accessibility feedback form at www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback <http://www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback>.