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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-02-22; Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Committee Ad Hoc; ; Committee Discussion on Awarded Grant AGP 06-16 La Posada Farm Worker HousingSubject: Meeting Date: Agenda Item #5 CITY OF CARLSBAD AGRICULTURAL COVNERSION MITIGATION FEE AD HOC CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE Committee Discussion on Awarded Grant AGP 06-16 {La Posada Farm worker Housing) February 22, 2010 At the January 6, 2009 Committee meeting, the Committee received a status update from Catholic Charities regarding implementation of AGP 06-16 (La Posada de Guadalupe Farm Worker Housing). The applicant's representative, Sister RayMonda DuVall, indicated that Catholic Charities had been unable to secure operational funding, without which the project may not be viable. Sister DuVall requested that the grant funds for .the La Posada project {$2,000,000) remain available for the project until Catholic Charities is able to secure operational funding. Operational costs do not qualify for funding from the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Fund. The funds awarded to the la Posada project may only be used to fund construction of the project. After hearing and considering the information related to the La Posada project, the Committee agreed that the grant funds awarded for the project should remain available, provided that: • Catholic Charities returns to the Committee within six months {by July 2009) with a status update on the La Posada project; and • The La Posada project shall be viable within one year (by January 2010), or the Committee may recommend to the City Council that the funding for the La Posada project be reprogrammed and made available to support other projects. Catholic Charities presented their six month update on the status of the La Posada project at the Committee's July 6, 2009 meeting. At that meeting, Sister RayMonda DuVall, indicated how $54,400 disbursed from the ACMF fund for the Farm Worker Housing project was being spent. She indicated that an architect and general contractor had been selected for the project and that they were 80% complete with conceptual drawings, which were expected to be completed by August 2009. These conceptual drawings were intended to be distributed to other contributing foundations to support collection of donations to help fund the project. Since the July 2009 Committee meeting, staff has met on various occasions with the grantee's representatives to discuss site/development constraints, permitting processes and project requirements. In advance of the February 22, 2010 Committee meeting, the grantee submitted a status update attached as Exhibit 5.1 and indicated intent/availability to provide additional details and information to the Committee at the February 22nd meeting. According to the attached correspondence from Catholic Charities, the grantee is requesting that the Committee recommend to the City Council that the all of the remaining grant funds {$1,945,600) be made available to support construction of the project. Note: per the Committee's prior recommendation and City Council approval, only $108,500 of the $2 million grant may be disbursed for project design work to determine the actual costs to construct the project. A total of $54,400 has been disbursed to the grantee, and $54,100 (of the $108,500) remains available for project design work. Disbursement of funds above the $108,500 requires the Committee's recommendation and City Council approval. Respectfully Submitted, PLANNING DEPARTMENT Exhibits: 5.1 Status Update from Catholic Charities Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Ad Hoc Committee February 2010 Status Report History of Project Proposal Submitted : September 2006 Request: $2,000,000 Purpose: New construction for farm worker housing/homeless shelter on the current La Posada site. Grant Funding Agreement Approved by City Council: April 2009 Funding Agreement Signed: June 2009 Design Draw Approved: $108,000 Request for Draw: $54,000 -June 2009 Purpose: • develop schematic site design, elevations and architectural features, review code and approval process. • complete soils tests • complete biology report Project Update Since our last meeting Catholic Charities and the construction team • created a construction budget • completed all of the tests identified in the first draw • met with city officials to present the preliminary designs, discuss potential construction issues and fees • applied and received $205,000 from carlsbad CDBG funds • applied for an additional $150,000 from Carlsbad CDBG funds • established a proposed five year operating budget • Catholic Charities Corporate Board approved proposed budgets • raised $366,000 from foundations, corporations and individuals that is designated for operations Requested Action That the Agricultural Mitigation Committee advise the City Council that Catholic Charities is ready to move forward with the La Posada project and that the remaining $2 mllion award should be released. 2/22/10 Exhibit 5.1