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Officials and Guests in Attendance
Five Commissioners were in attendance. Two were absent. Some City staff attended the meeting as well. The meeting participants were prepared and engaged. Accessing the Meeting and Materials The meeting started on time and I observed the entire meeting. The agenda was made available in advance of the meeting and the meeting was easily accessible. Summary of Discussion Yes, the agenda was followed. This was a two-hour meeting from 6pm - 8pm to discuss CDBG-CV3 applications (Community Development Block Grant funding being provided in response to the coronavirus) and make preliminary funding recommendations. On March 2 there will be a public hearing for the Commission to consider public input. On March 22 the suggested funding will be presented to the City Council and final approval will take place at the April 5 meeting. After attendance and previous meeting minutes being approved the applications were discussed. There were 15 applications for funding: Nine in the area of rent support, three in the area of food support and three in the area of mental health support. The budget is $897,287 and the grant applications submitted total $2,187,666. Applications were submitted from: Rent - 4 Tomorrow, Catholic Community Services, Centro Cultural Mexicano, Hopelink, IAWW, Imagine Housing, Solid Ground, The Salvation Army, and YMCA of Greater Seattle; Food - AmPowering, CFH, YMCA of Greater Seattle; Mental Health. - CFH, HERO House NW, IAWW. Draft funding was given to: Rent - Centro Cultural Mexicano, Hopelink, IAWW, YMCA of Greater Seattle; Food - CFH, YMCA of Greater Seattle; Mental Health - CFH, IAWW.
0 Comments
Members Present: Timothy Ma, Michelle Kline, Someireh Amirfaiz, Anita Jain, Ted Mansfield, Judith Mercer, Benjamin Piper, Major John McCracken, Deputy Mayor Jared Nieuwenhuis
(Virtual) Meeting Highlights: The meeting lasted from 6 pm to 7:15 pm. September 1 and September 15 minutes were approved. Public comments opened but none were given. Commission Reports were opened but none were given. Staff Reports It was mentioned they have a new intern that will be with them through June 2021 and also that the previous intern got a job with King County. Public Hearing for CDBG Funding One person commented. Sound Generations said they work in partnership with Bellevue to provide minor home repairs to seniors at reasonable prices. They appreciated the funding support from Bellevue and was hoping to get it again. Public Hearing for the General Fund Twelve people commented. Man representing Imagine Housing that services East King County thanked the Commission for funding and hoped to get funding again. Woman representing Bridge of Promise that supports adults with disabilities in Bellevue thanked the Commission for their support and hoped to get funding again. Woman representing early learning for Bellevue school district also appreciated the Commission’s funding and asked for their continued support. Woman representing the India Assoc of Western Washington thanked the Commission for their support and asked for more funding. Woman representing Sophia Way thanked the Commission for prior funding and asked for more - especially since Sophia Way had to move from a day shelter to an overnight shelter due to Covid. Woman representing Kindering which amount other things, helps find housing for families (FIT - Families in Transition) with infants/young children asked for continued support. Woman representing Kindering and the CCPC (Childcare and Preschool Consultation) team asked for continued support. Woman representing Hopelink thanked the Commission and asked for their continued support. Man representing New Bethlehem Place supporting homelessness thanked the Commission and asked for their continued support. Woman representing Solid Ground (provides rental assistance to prevent eviction and provide housing stability) thanked the Commission for their support and asked that it continue. Man representing the Kin On Health Centre, supporting Asian seniors, asked for continued support. The public hearing adjourned at 6:50pm. Community Development Block Grant The estimated grant funding is $1,033,000. Congress will vote on Dec 11 but the earliest the Commission will know the approved amount is Feb of 2021. The Commission does not believe the amount will be reduced as Congress is trying to keep the same amount or increase by 3%. The CDBG Contingency Plan The Contingency Plan described how funds would be allocated if more funding was approved as well as what areas would be reduced if funding was not approved at the expected level. The Commission voted on both the funding and the contingency plan and both were approved unanimously. General Fund Budget Plan $1,161,002 requested and $1,033,000 budgeted (still to be approved by Congress). (Did not get all the detail, but some): - Jewish Family Services 2021 request of $146,834. 2021 Commission Recommendation $146,834. - City of Bellevue CDBG Admin 2021 request of $56,910. 2021 Comm Rec of $56,910. - City of Bellevue CDBG Planning 2021 request of $144,058. 2021 Comm Rec of $144,058. - Seattle Bus Educ HUB 2021 request of $225,000. 2021 Comm Rec of $96,998. - City of Bellevue Home Repair 2021 request of $500,000. Comm Rec of $500,000. Other funding was scrolled through too quickly to capture but Commission members had materials earlier and had reviewed all. Most if not all of the charities that spoke in the Public Hearing received continued support. The General Fund budget plan was voted on and approved unanimously. Old Business - None. New Business Announcement that the City is receiving additional CARES act funds. The purpose of the funds is to help prevent, prepare and respond to the virus and can be used for public services. $489,623 was allocated in May. An additional $897,287 will be coming. They will start an RFP process next year to allocate these funds. Funds need to be spent within six years and 80% of the funds need to be spent within three years (by May 2023). The next meeting on Oct 20 will consist of two presentations: One given by the Bellevue Transportation Dept. on transportation alternatives. The other presentation from the Environmental Stewardship Division on their current plans. Public Comments Man representing MCRC (Muslim Community Resource Centre). He thanked the Commission for their previous funding but asked for more. He felt the Commission tended to provide funding to more mainstream established non-profits and that they should look more at nonprofits through an equity lens. Minority organisations all need more funding. |
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