MHGB Communication Office of the City Manager	Date	July 13, 2009
	Agenda Item No. MHGB2 Roll Call No. 09- Communication No. 09-460 Submitted by: Chris M. Johansen, Assistant City Manager

AGENDA HEADING:

Authorizing City of Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency to submit the Capital Fund Recovery Competition grant applications to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

SYNOPSIS:

Recommend Municipal Housing Governing Board approval for submission of the Capital Fund Recovery Competition grants to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and authorization for the Mayor to execute and the City Manager to implement the grants if awarded.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Amount: $1,313,000

Funding Source: 2009-2010 Operating Budget: Housing Services Department-Capital Fund Program SP350 HSG280000, Page 140.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 legislation included $995 million in funds to be distributed to public housing agencies through a Capital Fund Recovery Competition (CFRC) grant process. There are separate funding limits for each of the categories within the notice of funding availability, alternate deadlines, funding restrictions based on housing authority size, varied methods of competition, and different eligibility and threshold requirements that change over time.

The City of Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency (DMMHA) is seeking approval for the submission of 5 grant applications per the criteria of the funding availability notice for a total requested amount of $1,313,000. DMMHA will be submitting grant applications under two categories- Improvements Addressing the Needs of the Elderly and/or Persons with Disabilities and also Creation of Energy Efficient, Green Communities.

DMMHA is seeking approval to submit three grant applications under the Improvements Addressing the Needs of the Elderly and/or Persons with Disabilities funding category. DMMHA proposes to use this funding if received to ensure greater accessibility of non-dwelling common areas at Oak Park Plaza/ Highland Park Plaza, Royal View Manor, and South View Manor. This will be accomplished by lowering the elevator controls, adding hands free emergency telephones, and adding new door edge protection sensors to prevent elevator doors from closing on individuals with mobility issues.

DMMHA is seeking approval to submit two grant applications under the Creation of Energy Efficient, Green Communities funding category. One grant application will be for Substantial Rehabilitation of the units located at 2523 7th St and 430 Orchard St. If received, this funding will allow DMMHA to rehab two public housing properties which will reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, improve water conservation and air quality, and will consist of using green materials and green construction practices. This will be accomplished through the use of rainwater harvesting, using recycled materials and environmentally preferable products, installing energy star appliances and through the use of high efficiency low flow plumbing fixtures and high efficiency HVAC equipment and ducting.

The other grant application under the Creation of Energy Efficient, Green Communities funding category will be submitted for the Moderate Rehabilitation of East View Manor. Proposed rehabilitation includes installation of a geo-thermal system. This rehabilitation will lead to reduced energy costs through the use of a renewable energy resource that uses no fossil fuel and doesn’t emit greenhouse gasses.

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION(S): NONE

BOARD/COMMISSION ACTION(S): NONE

ANTICIPATED ACTIONS AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS: NONE

For more information on this and other agenda items, please call the City Clerk’s Office at 515-283-4209 or visit the Clerk’s Office on the second floor of City Hall, 400 Robert D. Ray Drive. Council agendas are available to the public at the City Clerk’s Office on Thursday afternoon preceding Monday’s Council meeting. Citizens can also request to receive meeting notices and agendas by email by calling the Clerk’s Office or sending their request via email to cityclerk@dmgov.org.