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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-17; Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Committee Ad Hoc; ; Report to Committee on Awarded Grant AGP 06-16Subject: Meeting Date: November 17, 2008 Agenda Item #6 CITY OF CARLSBAD AGRICULTURAL COVNERSION MITIGATION FEE AD HOC CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE Report to Committee on Awarded Grant AGP 06-16 (La Posada Farmworker Housing) November 17, 2008 On February 19, 2008 City Council approved Resolution 2008-050 allocating grant funds for four (4) agricultural conversion mitigation projects. Of those four projects awarded with grant funding-AGP 06-16 (La Posada Farmworker Housing)-was awarded with specific project stipulations. Although a total of $2,000,000 was encumbered, only $108,500 was authorized for disbursement to permit project design work. Stipulations added to the grant encumbrance include that, "Funding of part or all of the remaining encumbered balance shall first require Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Committee review and City Council approval." At the September 2, 2008 meeting a representative of the grantee (Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego), indicated that although construction of the project may take place with use of the encumbered grant funding, there is no funding allocated (or foreseen to be allocated), which would support operational and maintenance costs for the project. The applicant's representative indicated that within a two-month period Catholic Charities would be prepared to present a modified proposal to the Committee that could be funded with operational costs for the next 20 (twenty) years in addition to meeting the farmworker needs, homeless needs, and state requirements for funding. As of the date of preparation of this agenda report, staff has not obtained a revised/modified proposal from the grantee; however, on November 7, 2008 the City received the attached letter from Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego once again confirming that they are unable to pursue implementation of their project, "without a source for operational funding" (Exhibit 1). It is staff's understanding that the grantee's representative(s) will be present at the November 17th meeting to elaborate upon the potential feasibility for project implementation. Respectfully Submitted, PLANNING DEPARTMENT Exhibits: 1. Letter from Catholic Charities, dated November 7, 2008 .a..a.,u,,uu .&."'Z•JU CATHOLIC CHARITIES Adminism:irion Report to Agrialltural Conversion Mitigation Fee Ad Hoc Committee Proposal Submitted: September 2006 New Construction Farm Worker Housing co-located at La Posada Funding Awarded: February 2007 RECEIVED $2,000,000 $185,000 immediate release for concept/design work Funding Agreement Received: March 2008 Expenditures to date: $ a NOV O 7 2008 CfTY OF CARLSBAD PLA.NNING DEPT At the September 2, 2008 meeting Catholic Charities reported to the committee its concerns related to funding the ongoing operations of the new facility. The agency described the existing funding and that a $100,000 contribution was made each year by the agency to augment operations, We stated that before we could move forward with the project we must find on" going funding for operations. Since that September 2nd meeting the economy has taken a significant turn for the worse and has forced the State to cut all EHAP funding effective immediately. The traditional funding we relied upon is now gone-with restoration unlikely and new funding non-existent. We are once again forced to report that we cannot move forward with construction without a source for operational funding. Locally and statewide advocates for affordable housing and homeless housing are meeting to strategize how to impact and change the current lack of funding for operations. Catholic Charities recommends that the committee take the following three actions: 1. Preserve the Farm Worker Housing funds for future use 2. Urge the City Council to Investigate full benefit use of funds: Construction + Operations 3. Establish a cap for construction, with remaining funds from the grant set aside for operations ~~ Sister RayMonda DuVall Executive Director November 7, 2008 .J"..... Catholic L J Charities Diocese of San Diego 34!, Cedar $tru•t, San Di~go, Ctilifomi~ 92101-:Hl,7 • Tel, (619} 231-2828 • fox (619) 234-2272 Member Agen~ of United Way • M•mb<.'t /\i,:,ncy of Catl,,:,lic Clutltlci IJ~A Exhibit 1