HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 103 2018/04/10 (2016-2018) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: April 10, 2018 Re: Comm. No. 851/Res. No. 562-18
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 10:49 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 562-18, reports as follows:
Resolution 562-18, transmitted by Finance Director Deanna Sako, via Communication No. 851
dated March 21, 2018, approves and amends the 2015-2019 County of Hawai`i Consolidated Plan
and 2018 Annual Action Plan for the County of Hawai`i Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and National Housing Trust Fund
(HTF) and Authorizes the Mayor of the County of Hawai`i to execute and submit the amended
Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan and all other related documents to the United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The County's Office of Housing and Community Development anticipates the following HUD
allocations for Program Year 2018: a CDBG allocation of$2,428,055 and program income of
$100,000, for a total of$2,528,055 of CDBG funds; an HTF allocation of$1,425,000; and a
HOME allocation of$2,425,000. Funds would be used towards projects that benefit persons of
extremely-low, low, and moderate income throughout Hawai`i Island.
Neil Gyotoku, Housing Administrator explained that this resolution allows the County of Hawai`i
to accept CDBG funds for HOME and HTF. The plan will be given to the Mayor for execution
and thereafter submitted to HUD.
Council Member Susan Lee Loy questioned whether Housing has completed their goals and
objectives listed in the Executive Summary of their Annual Action Plan and how would the
results be made available to the public. Mr. Gyotoku responded there is a process they need to
follow with HUD, and part of it is to hold public hearings at various sites and obtain public input.
He noted that this process needs to be followed in order for the County to receive funds from
HUD, and they are also required to have public notices published in the newspapers to notify the
public where to attend and make comments.
Alison Mukai, Housing and Community Development Specialist, stated that proposals for federal
funds submitted by the County agencies and nonprofits are reviewed, ranked, and rated, and that
Housing takes into consideration the goals and objectives in the Consolidated Plan when projects
are being selected. Ms. Lee Loy asked about the definition of HUD's logic model. Ms. Mukai
responded that logic model is part of the plan guideline, which is included in the Consolidated
Plan in meeting the goals and objectives of the community.
FC Report No. 103
FC-103 Page 2 April 10, 2018
In response to Ms. Lee Loy's inquiry of how the County partners or shares with other constituents
or nonprofits to accelerate funds, Ms. Mukai replied there are public hearings, community
outreach, consultations, surveys to nonprofits, and meetings that are set up in accordance with
rules and regulations relating to use of the funding. Ms. Mukai also stated that part of the
consideration includes how ready and feasible projects are at the time they receive their
application. Prior to requesting proposals, Housing sends a letter to the Mayor, including
Councilmembers advising that Housing expects to receive monies and who the funds would
serve. Ms. Mukai also commented that they did not have a good turnout at the public hearings
and received less applications this year.
As for good projects Housing did not fund, it was because the projects were weak in many areas,
applicants did not have site control, funding was not secured, or the project was not helping low
and moderate income families in larger areas. Mr. Gyotoku added that it is a very complicated
application process but are willing to work with anyone who contacts them. Ms. Mukai said that
they had consultation meetings with applicants on how they can submit better applications or
further discuss weaknesses in their application for submission in the upcoming year.
Council Chair Valerie T. Poindexter commented that she knew of some applicants from
Hamakua, but they did not fall within the census track. Ms. Mukai replied they had meetings
with some of the organizations but on the date applications were due, they did not receive any
applications from those they met with. Ms. Poindexter responded they did not fall within the
census track of the low to moderate income even though they service people within the census
track. Ms. Mukai said they would qualify for the funding if it is in a low to moderate area based
on the census data, or they may also be eligible for funding because of the group; for example,
elderly and disabled. Ms. Mukai confirmed that if an organization serves adolescents who are
from a census track area that meets the criteria, they do qualify for CDBG. Mr. Gyotoku clarified
that if a project serves the low and moderate income, they will also qualify.
Ms. Poindexter questioned, and it was confirmed, that if an organization did their own census
survey and received HUD approval, Housing would consider it.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 562-18,
and recommends its adoption.
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AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
EOFF X
KANUHA X
LEE LOY X � I�i � I
f
O'HARA X
POINDEXTER x MAILE DAVIS, CHAIR
RICHARDS X FC REPORT NO.: 103
RUGGLES X ADOPTED: APR 2 5 2018