2013.02.05 Work Session Packet (2nd)CRYSTAL CITY COUNCIL
SECOND WORK SESSION AGENDA
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
To immediately follow the Regular City Council Meeting
Conference Room A
Pursuant to due call and notice given in the manner prescribed by Section 3.01 of the
City Charter, the work session of the Crystal City Council was held at p.m. on
Tuesday, February 5, 2013 in Conference Room A located at 4141 Douglas Drive,
Crystal, Minnesota.
I. Attendance
Council members Staff
Deshler Norris
Hoffmann Therres
Libby Norton
Peak Revering
Selton Mathisen
Adams Serres
Budziszewski
II. Agenda
The purpose of the work session is to discuss the following agenda items:
■ Overview of Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) funding process and
requests
■ Update on Crystal representation on WMFD Board*
* Denotes no supporting information included in the packet.
III. Adjournment
The work session adjourned at p.m.
Memorandum
CITY Faf
CRYSTAL
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DATE: January 31, 2013
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Anne Norris, City Manager
SUBJECT: Overview of Community Development Block Grant Funds Process and
Requests
The federal government through the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) allocates Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to eligible cities,
through urban counties. Crystal receives approximately $93,000 annually and at least
85% of the funds mucy be used for qualifying housing and redevelopment projects
benefitting low income households. No more than 15% of the allocation may be used
for social services. Over the last years, the City Council authorized using close to the
maximum 15% to fund Crystal's share of the Five Cities Senior Transportation program.
The balance of the funds have been used to fund Crystal's Deferred Home
Improvement Loan program.
Each year, the City Council holds a public hearing on how the CDBG funds will be
allocated. The 2013 CDBG hearing is scheduled for the February 19 City Council
meeting. During its 2012 CDBG hearing, a representative of HOME Line spoke
requesting funds for HOME Line's services to Crystal residents. Rather than
reallocating CDBG funds, the Council discussed funding HOME Line at later work
sessions.
HOME Line provides free legal, organizing, educational and advocacy services to
tenants to try to resolve tenant/landlord issues. According to its website, HOME Line
also works "to improve public and private policies relating to rental housing by involving
affected tenants in the process."
HOME Line has requested funds from Crystal in the past and staff's response has been
that the Attorney General's office provides information regarding tenant rights and
responsibilities, Legal Aid provides legal assistance to Hennepin County residents and
the Minnesota Tenants Union is available to assist with advocacy in rental housing
matters.
HOME Line is supported by a variety of organizations, including several Hennepin
County cities and several Hennepin County departments.
At its September 4, 2012, meeting, the Council approved a payment of $2,000 to fund
HOME Line tenant hotline services. These funds came from the Council's contingency.
The Council should discuss if intends to make this contribution an annual contribution.
I anticipate a representative of HOME Line will be at the February 19 CDBG hearing to
once again request funds for its tenant hotline services.