3.1 HRSR 03-03-2014Request for Action
To
Item Number
Housing and Redevelop ment Authority
3.1
Agenda Section
Meeting Date
Prepared by
Work Session
March 3, 2014
Brian Beeman, Director of Economic
Development
Item Description
Reviewed by
Preliminary SCDP Grant Results
Jeremy Barnhart, Deputy Director, CODD
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Review and discuss the results of the Small Cities Development Program through the Department of
Employment and Economic Development
Background /Discussion
At the September 3, 2013 City Council meeting, the City Council approved Central Minnesota Housing
Partnership (CMHP)to write and administer the pre - application for the Small Cities Development
Program (SCDP) with a commitment of $50,000 in leverage funds. The pre - application was through the
Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
DEED has scored the pre - applications from communities around the state. Of the 78 preliminary
proposals totaling $40 million, 36 were determined to be either competitive or marginally competitive
totaling $19 million. The remaining proposals, including ours, were determined to be either not
competitive or not eligible.
CMHP has informed staff that it is typical for cities not to be eligible the first year. DEED will not
discuss the non - competitive preliminary proposals until April 2014. The next steps, if the commission
wishes to continue to pursue the grant, will include CMHP visiting with DEED regarding the scoring and
ways to improve the application. This will occur no earlier than April, 2014. After that conversation,
CMHP would work with staff to submit for the next cycle, due November 23, 2014. CMHP will work
with staff to update the windshield surveys, proposal and submittal.
A few items that CMHP has already recommended in order to be competitive for the next round include
considering adding rental and commercial rehab to the proposal. In the meantime, CMHP recommends
that the HRA continue with developing their own housing rehab program to address the issues of highest
importance. A representative from CMHP will be available to answer any questions.
Attachments
■ SCPD Preliminary Proposal Results
Date: December 19,.2013
To: City of Elk River
From: Small Cities Development Program
Subject: Small Cities Development Program Preliminary Proposal Results
The Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) staff has reviewed the preliminary proposals for the 2014
funding cycle. The program received 78 preliminary proposals totaling $40 million. Of those proposals,
36 were determined to be either competitive or marginally competitive totaling $19 million. The
remaining proposals were determined to be either not competitive or not eligible. We project to award
about 30 projects with an estimated total of $15 million in grant funds.
SCDP staff has made the decision that the Elk River Proposal is not competitive for the 2014 funding
cycle.
Assigning three degrees of competitiveness is a way to ensure that only full applications with a sound
chance of receiving awards are submitted. We would expect that proposals that receive a competitive
label will submit a full application, but we caution that the label does not guarantee funding of a project.
Improvements to competitive proposals will be allowed. Marginally competitive proposals will need to
be improved from the original proposal in order to score better and compete for an award. Proposals
labeled as not competitive are not ready for consideration and we do not recommend that a full
application for the 2014 funding cycle be submitted. Please allow SCDP staff to work with marginally
competitive proposals through February. The not competitive proposals will have the opportunity to
work with SCDP staff in April regarding resubmission for 2015 funding.
This process is intended to allow applicants to make informed decisions about whether or not to pursue
the time and expense of submitting an application this year.
Applications are due to our office by 4:30 p.m. on February 27th. No fax or electronic copies will be
accepted.
Sincerely, SCDP Staff
Business and Community development
1 st National Bank Building W 332 Minnesota Street, Suite E200 ■ Saint Paul, MN 55101 -1351 USA
www.r)ositivelyminnesota.com
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