Department of City Manager’s Office
Reference: Renewal of Participation in the Urban County Consortium for Community Development Block Grant Funds
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Jane Bais DiSessa, City Manager
Maria Ostrom, Director of Finance
Prepared By: Nicole Samson, Senior Management Analyst
Date Prepared: May 2021
PURPOSE
To present information to Council regarding the option to continue the City’s participation in the Adams County Urban County Consortium for the next three federal fiscal years. Participation will require the City to sign an Intergovernmental Agreement (“IGA”) with Adams County.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
Strong Regional Relationships and Partnerships
Financially Responsible
BACKGROUND
The City of Brighton (“City”) has participated in the Adams County Urban County Consortium (“Consortium”) for multiple decades. A consortium is a county government plus a group of cities in the county that can be awarded federal block grant funds by associating with a county that receives these funds directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”). HUD requires all counties to renew agreements with the consortium members every three years in order to determine which cities will be included in the annual allocation amount.
This is the last program year of the existing Intergovernmental Agreement for the Conduct of the Community Development Block Grant Program between Adams County and the Consortium cities of Brighton, Bennett, Federal Heights, and Northglenn. If the City would like to continue its participation in the Consortium then the City is requested to approve an IGA for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Community Development Block Grants (“CDBG”) are federal funds. Adams County, as a HUD funding entitlement, is the administrator of the HUD grant funds for the Consortium. As such, the County receives an allocation of CDBG funds each year. The City applies to the County for CDBG funds when the City has a project that meets the eligibility criteria for the grant.
The last four years the City has been awarded CDBG funds for the following projects:
• Design and construction of ADA restrooms at Historic City Hall
• Installation of ADA sidewalk improvements in a low-income neighborhood
• Respite Emergency Housing: hotel vouchers for those who need access to immediate, temporary housing
• Minor Home Repair for Brighton residents
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The City of Brighton has been awarded up to $192,000 annually for projects that benefit the low- and moderate-income residents of Brighton. Staff anticipates this amount will be the same or higher this year and in the next few years.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City continue its participation in the Urban County Consortium for the federal fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024 in order to provide the City the option to receive CDBG funds for projects that serve the Brighton community.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
• Approve the resolution
• Deny the resolution
ATTACHMENTS
• Resolution
• Intergovernmental Agreement
• Letter from County regarding requalification of the Urban County designation