Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes the use of up to $123,000 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant funds for high-priority projects identified in the South Madison Neighborhood Plan. Funds were originally authorized in the 2021 and 2022 Adopted Operating Budgets for the Community Development Division (CDD), and the funds will be included for reauthorization in the 2025 Operating Budget. The proposed resolution further authorizes the Community Development Division (CDD) to enter into Memoranda of Understanding with the Parks and Traffic Engineering Divisions to execute projects specified in the body of the resolution ($123,000).The funds will remain within CDD's CDBG operating fund 1205 (project 71025) with individual project strings established for Parks and Traffic Engineering projects. No additional City appropriation required.
Title
Authorizing the use of up to $123,000 of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and authorizing the Community Development Division to enter into agreements with the Parks and Traffic Engineering Divisions in order to implement neighborhood improvement projects identified in the South Madison Neighborhood Plan (District 14).
Body
Background
The Community Development Division (CDD) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Committee, in cooperation with the Planning Division, sponsored a neighborhood planning effort in South Madison. The Plan, adopted by the Common Council in January 2022, via RES-22-0026 (Legistar #68084) included implementation priorities designed to address specific objectives. While engaging in the planning process, neighborhood residents provided feedback on potential capital improvement projects that could be implemented with the use of CDBG funds. The CDD’s Adopted 2023 Operating Budget authorized the use of up to $123,000 of CDBG funds for the implementation of eligible projects in the South Madison plan. In May 2023,the Madison Common Council originally approved, via Res-23-00368 (Legistar #77259), use of these funds to support the Office of Business Resources’ Building Improvement Grant (BIG) Program to provide façade improvements to South Madison businesses with a priority on improving ADA compliance to the buildings. The program was available for over a year, with outreach provided through the Economic Development Division. No applications were received for the use of CDBG funds for this purpose and the targeted CDBG program closed.
Staff have reviewed the list of potential CDBG projects identified in the South Madison Plan and recommend the CDBG funds be put toward shovel ready projects to improve pedestrian lighting in Penn Park and Quann Park along pedestrian/bike paths.
To meet U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s national objectives, CDBG funds must be used to benefit low- and moderate- income persons residing in the South Madison planning area in order to meet the criteria for Low Mod Area Benefit “LMA” National Objective. Other federal regulations, e.g., Davis-Bacon prevailing wage and Environmental Review requirements, will also apply. These funds must be expended by the end of December 2025.
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WHEREAS, the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 permits the City of Madison to assist agencies in the development and implementation of innovative projects which provide benefits to strategically identified low- and moderate-income areas; and,
WHEREAS, the South Madison Neighborhood Plan, adopted as a supplement to the City of Madison Comprehensive Plan, was enacted on January 4, 2022 (RES-22-00026), and prioritized improvements to pedestrian lighting in Penn Park and Quann Park (CDBG Priority Projects #6 p.74); and,
WHEREAS, up to $123,000 in federal CDBG grant funds are authorized in the Community Development Division’s Adopted 2023 Operating Budget to implement eligible projects in the South Madison neighborhood and that authorization is carried over for use in 2024; and,
WHEREAS, the Community Development Division's CDBG Unit staff have reviewed these proposals and found them consistent with their Program Goals and Priorities and recommend their completion in order to promote further progress under the adopted neighborhood plan; and,
WHEREAS, the CDBG Committee also reviewed the specific funding recommendations from the South Madison Neighborhood Plan and recommended adoption, in order to promote further progress with the adopted Plan; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of Park Commissioners supports the implementation of the aforementioned projects for purposes of improving park use and access; and,
WHEREAS, the Traffic Engineering Division installs and maintains lighting along pedestrian/bike paths; and,
WHEREAS, the Parks Divisions installs and maintains park amenities and facilities located on City park land.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Common Council approves the allocation of up to $123,000 in federal CDBG grant funds for use toward the particular projects and in the amounts identified below:
• City Parks Division: up to $20,000 for the installation of solar lighting to illuminate the entrance at Penn Park to improve access to Penn Park for recreational purposes;
• City Traffic Engineering Division: up to $103,000 for lighting installation along the paved bicycle and pedestrian path through Quann Park; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Common Council authorizes the Community Development Division to enter into Memorandum of Understanding agreements with the City Parks and Engineering Divisions for purposes of implementing the approved projects by December 31, 2025.