HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/08/02-Minutes-HEDCCITY OF FORT WORTH
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
Present:
Committee Member Jungus Jordan, Chairman
Committee Member Dennis Shingleton
Committee Member Betsy Price
Committee Member Salvador Espino
Committee Member W. B. "Zim" Zimmerman
Committee Member Danny Scarth (arrived at 1:10 p.m.)
Committee Member Frank Moss (arrived at 1:15 p.m.)
Committee Member Kathleen Hicks
Committee Member Joel Burns
City Staff:
Susan Alanis, Assistant City Manager
Peter Vaky, Deputy City Attorney
Marty Hendrix, City Secretary
Jay Chapa, Director of Housing and Economic Development Department
Cynthia Garcia, Assistant Director, Housing and Economic Development Department
Robert Stums, Manager, Housing and Economic Development Department
Other City Staff in Attendance:
Tom Higgins, Interim City Manager
Karen Montgomery, Assistant City Manager
Mark Folden, Housing and Economic Development Department
With a quorum of the committee members present, Chairman Jungus Jordan called the
meeting of the Housing and Economic Committee to order at 1:03 p.m., on Tuesday, August 2,
2011, in the Pre - Council Chamber of the Fort Worth Municipal Building, 1000 Throckmorton
Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102.
CITY OF FORT WORTH
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
Page 2 of 22
Approval of the Minutes of the June 7, 2011,
Housing and Economic Development
Committee
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Committee Member Hicks and seconded by Committee
Member Zimmerman, the Committee Members voted seven (7) "ayes" and zero
(0) "nays ", with Committee Members Scarth and Moss temporarily absent, to
approve the minutes of the June 7, 2011, Housing and Economic Development
Committee Meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Overview of Economic Development
Incentive Programs
(Agenda Item 2)
Jay Chapa, Director of the Housing and Economic Development Committee, spoke
before the committee on his presentation of an overview of the incentive programs used by the
City to bring economic development to the City of Fort Worth. Using a PowerPoint
presentation, Mr. Chapa started with a slide showing: What is Economic Development? He
stated that it was the following:
The creation of jobs
■ New employment and income opportunities increase the wealth of the city
and region.
• Locations competing for new investment
■ 15,000 U. S. Economic Development organizations compete for
approximately one hundred major projects ( >100 employees) per year.
• Build and diversity the economy and tax base
• Revitalize depressed areas
• New resources to fund city services
Mr. Chapa spoke about the presentation's objectives as follows:
Provide an overview of:
■ The type of incentives the city uses, and
■ How incentives are used to promote private investment and economic
development projects that directly benefit Fort Worth and its citizensibusinesses
CITY OF FORT WORTH
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
Page 3 of 22
Overview of Economic Development
Incentive Program (cont'd) (Agenda Item 2)
■ How the City leverage private investment to develop projects that further City
goals
Mr. Chapa reviewed the City Council's strategic goals for the community as follows:
The City Council had established five (5) strategic goals for the community as
follows:
• Make Fort Worth the nation's safest major city
• Improve mobility and air quality
• Create and maintain a clean, attractive city.
• Strengthen the economic base, develop the future workforce, and create quality
job opportunities.
• Promote orderly and sustainable development.
Mr. Chapa presented a slide showing the Housing and Economic Development
Department's Five -Year Goals as follows:
• Preserve and increase the number of quality, affordable, accessible housing units
throughout Fort Worth.
• Increase job growth and private investment throughout Fort Worth
• Increase investment and stabilization of targeted neighborhoods utilizing the
various department programs.
• Create and support mixed - income, mixed -use development in urban villages and
transit - oriented development areas.
• Management the implementation of the Directions Home Program
• Be recognized as a leader in business and housing development by our peers and
our customers.
Mr. Chapa reviewed the City's incentives focused on promoting development projects
that:
• Conform to the Strategic Goals and Comprehensive Plan
CITY OF FORT WORTH
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
Page 4 of 22
Overview of Economic Development
Incentive Program (cont'd) (Agenda Item 2)
• Avoid negative fiscal impacts — incentives are based only on incremental
revenues produced by the project
• Effectively leverage private dollars
o a minimum of a 1:10 ratio on public vs. private investment is the
minimum goals (could be less in targeted areas)
• Provide quality, sustainable jobs
• Contract opportunities for Fort Worth Minority /Women's Business Enterprise and
Fort Worth -owned companies
• Provide preference for projects in targeted Central City areas that create mixed -
use activity centers.
Mr. Chapa provided an organization structure of his department.
Mr. Chapa provided the primary incentives as follows:
• Tax abatement
• Economic Development Grants
• Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone public project funding
• Reduced development fees
• Permit fee waivers
• Enhanced participation in community facilities agreements
• Community Development Programs using federal grant funds and special entities
(HFC & LDC)
Mr. Chapa advised that the additional City incentives were:
• Reduced development fees
• Permit fee waivers
• Fee and lien waivers
• Historic Preservation Program
Mr. Chapa reviewed the incentive contractual commitments as follows:
• Minimum investment in the project
• Construction spending with Fort Worth companies
CITY OF FORT WORTH
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
Page 5 of 22
Overview of Economic Development
Incentive Program (cont'd) (Agenda Item 2)
• Construction spending with Fort Worth Minority and Women owned Business
Enterprise companies
• Commitments on total employment and the percentage of employees that will be
Fort Worth and "Central City" residents
• Annual supply and service spending with Fort Worth companies
• Annual supply and services spending with Fort worth Minority and Women
owned Business Enterprise companies
• Quality affordable housing commitments on multi - family projects
Mr. Chapa showed a slide of the Central City area and its boundaries. The legend on the
map stated that the area established by the City Council consisted of Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) - eligible census block groups; and state - designated enterprise zones; and
census block groups that were contiguous by 75 percent or more of the perimeter to CDBG
eligible block groups or enterprise zones. He advised that the City Council adopted the
definition of the Central City in October 2000.
Mr. Chapa presented the measuring progress of audits as follows:
• Commitments verified, findings used to determine annual incentive levels
• Number of jobs created or retained through incentive projects
• Number of Fort Worth/Central City residents employed at companies
receiving incentives
• Value of Fort Worth and Fort Worth MWBE contracts through incentive
projects
Mr. Chapa presented a map showing tax abatements and economic development program
grants located throughout the City. He advised that 13 tax abatement agreements had been
audited and 16 economic development program grants had been audited.
Mr. Chapa showed a chart of the 2010 employment summary with total job figures, Fort
Worth jobs and Central City jobs for committed jobs as compared to actual jobs. He also
showed a chart of the 2010 Fort Worth business participation showing construction and goods
and services, identified as either committed. He also showed a chart of the 2010 M /WBE
participation for construction and goods and services for dollars committed and actual.
CITY OF FORT WORTH
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
Page 6 of 22
Overview of Economic Development
Incentive Prosram (cont'd) (Agenda Item 2)
Mr. Chapa advised that the 2010 economic development incentive agreements in
aggregate were:
Total Incentives Value $9,640,298
Net Revenue to City $5,184,461
Mr. Chapa presented information on the comparison of incentives to total ad valorem
taxes as follows:
City of Fort Worth appraised value of real & personal property: $ 56.0 billion
Estimated total real & personal property taxes: $350.6 million
Estimated sales taxes: $ 99.7 million
Estimated total ad valorem & sales taxes: $450.3 million
Estimated total taxes abated /granted: $ 9.6 million
Percent of taxes abated /granted: 2%
Mr. Chapa reviewed information on tax abatements as follows:
• Authorized by Chapter 312 of the Texas Tax Code
o The City's first abatement was in 1989 with a total 59 abatement agreements
approved to date.
• Allows eligible business interests to be exempt from paying all or a portion of ad-
valorem taxes on improvements for up to 10 years
• City of Fort Worth Tax Abatement Policy governs the conditions under which tax
abatements are granted, but emphasis is placed on projects that:
• Are located in the Central City, and
• Result in the creation of new full -time jobs for Fort Worth and Central City
residents; and
• Result in the creation of new full -time jobs for Fort Worth and Central City
residents; and
• Result in development with little or no cost to the City; and
• Have a positive impact on Fort Worth companies and Fort Worth Certified
M /WBE companies
Mr. Chapa presented charts showing the number of tax abatements from 1991 through
2010 and the total number of companies receiving benefits per year. He also presented a chart
CITY OF FORT WORTH
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
Page 7 of 22
Overview of Economic Development
Incentive Program (cont'd) (Agenda Item 2)
showing the total value abated for the same period of time. He reviewed another chart showing
the total taxes abated per year for the same time period.
Mr. Chapa continued his presentation with a review of the economic development grants.
He advised that these were called 380 agreements and were authorized by Chapter 380 of the
Texas Tax Code. He stated that they were used to promote economic development and stimulate
business and commercial activity by providing grants. He clarified that the grants were used to
reimburse private developers for expenses that might contribute to a financing gap in a project.
He added that it was a financing tool that provided flexibility for use of incremental tax revenues
received from the project.
Mr. Chapa spoke about how economic development grants worked as follows:
o City provided a grant to a business (one time or annually over a term) to stimulate
business and commercial activity based on a financial gap.
o Business enterprise paid all taxes in a given year.
o In the following year, the Council appropriated an amount equal to the
incremental value of all or a portion of the City's taxes paid the prior year per
agreement.
o Commitments to Fort Worth/Central City jobs and FW /MWBE contractors must
be made and are audited annually.
Mr. Chapa presented information on the Enterprise Zone Projects. He reviewed the
enterprise projects and benefits as follows:
• The City Council nominates developments /companies within a zone as Enterprise
Projects and application is made to the state.
• Benefit from the state is a refund on state sales and use taxes on qualifying
expenses including:
• Building materials
• Tangible property
• Machinery /equipment
• Taxable services used within the zone
CITY OF FORT WORTH
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
Page 8 of 22
Overview of Economic Development
Incentive Program (cont'd)
• The City could nominate nine (9) projects per bi -annum
• State could have up to 105 projects per bi -annum
(Agenda Item 2)
Mr. Chapa presented a chart showing all of the enterprise projects, with a total of the
projects at $939,011,904 and with 8,929 jobs created /retained.
Mr. Chapa continued his presentation with a review of the enhanced community facility
agreements. He stated that community facility agreements were:
• Community Facility Agreements permit a private developer to construct public
infrastructure improvements and may, by policy, provide for City participation
• Streets, storm drain, street signs, street lights (bond funded items), pedestrian
enhancements, water and wastewater utilities
• Handled through T /PW or Water Department
• City participation beyond what is called for in the "standard" CFA policy is an
Enhanced Community Facility Agreement
• Enhanced CFA funding was provided in the 2004 CIP Bond Program ($6.7 million in
New Development Bond Fund)
• City pays a portion of public infrastructure costs that would otherwise be the
developer's expense
• City acknowledges that inadequate and aged infrastructure presents significant barrier
to quality development (the "but- for ") or that the lack of current infrastructure keeps
a development from occurring
• City participation is governed by the Community Facility Agreement Policy.
Mr. Chapa reviewed the chart showing each of the projects approved using enhanced
community facility agreements, with a total of $5,288,426 and a private investment of
$185,480,000.
CITY OF FORT WORTH
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
Page 9 of 22
Overview of Economic Development
Incentive Program (cont'd) (Agenda Item 2)
Mr. Chapa presented the tax increment financing districts (TIFs). He showed a map of
the city limits and identified the TIFs shown on the map. He advised that TIFs were authorized
by Chapter 3 of the Texas Tax Code. He stated that it was a defined area that has been
designated as a reinvestment zone in anticipating of either new private development or taxable
value growth. He added that local governments can publicly finance needed structural
improvements and enhanced infrastructure using tax increment without impacting the current
stream of general fund revenues.
Mr. Chapa explained how TIF districts worked. He pointed out that:
The tax increment was derived from the difference in appraised value between the
year in which the reinvestment zone was established (base year) and each year the
reinvestment zone was in existence.
The increment paid for TIF- related eligible public improvements, which were
delineated in the TIF's project plans.
Each taxing entity, except for school districts, may elect to participate in a TIF at
a defined participation rate.
Mr. Chapa showed a slide of the calculation of the tax increment from the creation date to
the termination date, with the base value and the captured value. He advised that those two
figures then become the tax revenues that would flow to the tax increment fund and to the City
and the county.
Mr. Chapa spoke about the City of Fort Worth TIF Policy General Guidelines, dated
December 2009. He reviewed those items as follows:
■ Term of any newly created TIF may not exceed 21 years (20 years of tax
increment collection), unless approved by the City Council
• Only TIFs created to help finance a "Major Infrastructure Project:,
may have a term greater than 21 years
• City participation in any TIF district was limited to ad valorem real property
taxes.
• HED staff would evaluate all TIF requests and applications.
CITY OF FORT WORTH
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
Page 10 of 22
Overview of Economic Development
Incentive Program (cont'd) (Agenda Item 2)
■ HED staff would administer all TIF districts unless otherwise approved by
City council in the preliminary project and financing plans.
Mr. Chapa reviewed a chart of the TIFs in Fort Worth. He pointed out that there were ten
(10) active TIF districts in Fort Worth, with different goals focusing on one or many projects.
The TIFs were:
TIF 2
Speedway
TIF 3
Downtown
TIF 4
Southside
TIF 6
Riverfront
TIF 7
North Tarrant Parkway
TIF 8
Lancaster
TIF 9
Trinity River Vision
TIF 10
Lone Star
TIF 12
East Berry Renaissance
TIF 13
Woodhaven
Single — Texas Motor Speedway
Multiple
Multiple
Single — RadioShack Campus
Infrastructure /Project Specific
Multiple
Single — Trinity River Vision
Single — Cabela's
Multiple
Multiple
Mr. Chapa presented a chart showing all of the TIFs, their base value, the 2010 taxable
value, the increment and the percentage of change from the base. The grand total was
Base Value 2010 Taxable Value Increment % Change from Base
$1,104,559,724 $2,554,275,997 $1,449,676,263 131%
Mr. Chapa showed a slide of the 2010 Tax Year as follows:
Total Value of ALL Real Property $32,314,003,758
Total Value of Real Property in TIFs $2,564,648,437
Percentage of Real Property Value in TIFs 7.9%
Percentage of Real Property Acreage in TIFs 5.7%
Value of Increment $1,459,988,462
Total City Contributions $8,317,570
Total Contributions from ALL Entities $19,135,944
Mr. Chapa then reviewed the Neighborhood Empowerment Zones (NEZs). He advised
that the NEZs were authorized by Chapter 378 of the Texas Local Government Code and that
CITY OF FORT WORTH
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
Page 11 of 22
Overview of Economic Development
Incentive Program (cont'd) (Agenda Item 2)
there were 19 designated NEZs in the City. He stated that the basic incentives were tax
abatement on the City's incremental real property value (excluding land); development fee and
impact fee waivers and release of city liens.
Mr. Chapa spoke about the NEZ activity as follows:
• NEZ areas represent 29.5 square miles within the central city.
• From 2001 to mid -2010, the NEZ program provided $3.9 million in basic
incentives
• Approximately $2.1 million in actual taxes abated on projects totaling
over $239 million.
• Approximately 2,500 projects supporting nearly $1.7 billion in
investments by the end of 2010.
• The greatest volume of activity has been seen in the Magnolia Village and
Berry /University NEZ areas.
• Other areas with strong NEZ activity are Stop Six, Rolling Hills, Trinity
Park and Ridglea/Como.
Mr. Chapa continued his presentation with a review of Housing and Community
Development as follows:
• Focus incentive tools along with federal funding in target areas to maximize new
development and redevelopment.
• Allow only direct sale of properties in proposed targeted areas that ensure quality
development.
• Utilize multiple development types and infrastructure improvements to redevelop
overall neighborhoods and communities
• Goal is to reach tipping point that allowed the market demand to become the
driver for development.
Mr. Chapa reviewed the projects of Renaissance Square, which utilized the development
tools of TIF money, Chapter 380 EDPG, and ECFA. It was a 67 -acre grocery- anchored
shopping center. Renaissance Square would feature 400,000 square feet of shopping, sit down
restaurants, fast food and more.
CITY OF FORT WORTH
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
Page 12 of 22
Overview of Economic Development
Incentive Program (cont'd) (Agenda Item 2)
Mr. Chapa reviewed the Hardy Street project, which utilized the development tool of
Community Development Block Grant funds. He advised that the project consisted of two (2)
acres of land and a vacant dilapidated nursing home in the 3600 block of Hardy Street. He stated
that property would be redeveloped into 21 new quality, affordable and accessible single family
homes to be funded and constructed by a private builder.
He presented the project of Evans and Rosedale /Terrell Heights. He stated this project
utilized the development tools: NEZ, CDBG, TIF, ECFA, HOME and General Obligation
Bonds. He stated that it was a neighborhood steeped in history was experiencing a renaissance
of economic and cultural opportunity. He added among the many projects currently underway
was the recently completed Jack in the Box, street improvements on Evans and Missouri
Avenue, new street lights, Evans - Rosedale Plaza, and the Shamblee Library, infill housing
including the Terrell Homes project.
Mr. Chapa presented the project of the Race Street Lofts. He advised that the
development tools that were used were: NEZ, HOME Funds, HFC Partnership, General Funds
HTF. He reviewed the project and advised that there were five (5) lots located on Race Street
and McLemore Avenue for the construction of a 36 -unit multi - family rental complex in Six
Points Urban Village (19 HOME assisted units). He stated that it was partnership between the
City's Housing Finance Corporation and NRP Holdings, LLC, the private developer. He
explained that the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs tax credits were
awarded and the construction was to completed by March 2012.
Mr. Chapa completed his presentation.
Chairman Jordan opened the floor for questions and /or comments.
Committee Member Burns requested that Mr. Chapa provide the revised organizational
chart to the committee. He indicated jokingly that he wanted to give Mr. Chapa an opportunity
to correct any misperceptions on whether or not highly educated people could be found in the
Central City area. He pointed out to the committee members that the economic development
activities were one of the most important things that the City of Fort Worth did. He added it was
the opportunity to bring in the new jobs and new investments that lift the property tax burdens
off of the existing tax payers. He stated that it was the means by which the City would build and
repaired roads, maintained the parks, and open the swimming pools. He pointed out that it
CITY OF FORT WORTH
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
Page 13 of 22
Overview of Economic Development
Incentive Program (cont'd) (Agenda Item 2)
certainly contributed to the citizens' quality of life in Fort Worth. Committee Member Burns
indicated that he understood that there were people that talked about the TIF districts and some
of the financial incentive agreements that the City had with major corporations as if it was a
giveaway. He added that the truth was that it brought investment into the City and he felt it was
an incredible key to providing the quality of life to the citizens. He expressed appreciation to Jay
Chapa in particular for restoring and transforming the Housing and Economic Development
Department. He added he had also restored trust and admiration to the department. Committee
Member Burns referred to the changes that had been made in the last two to three years. He
thanked him again for his stewardship in his department and really transforming it.
Committee Member Espino requested to go back to the slide that showed the zip codes
for the CDBG eligible areas. He indicated that he had concern for some of the older areas of the
City located slightly north of Loop 820. He stated that he was not sure if the Summerfields area
in zip code 76137 would qualify and he questioned also an area south in Council Member Jungus
Jordan's district. He added that he thought the definitions had changed defining the Central City
areas. He added he did feel that there was a need to reinvest in some of the older areas which
were outside the Loop 820. He also spoke about a housekeeping note that needed to be fixed on
the map. He stated that the zip code 76106 was split several years ago between zip codes 76106
and 76164. He suggested that the map be updated with that information and the new boundaries
for the Northside area. Committee Member Espino reiterated some of the same statements that
Committee Member Burns had stated. He commended the department on doing a great job. He
told Mr. Chapa to keep up the good work. He suggested again that the City staff look at the
CDBG map to see if there were other areas of the City that could qualify. Mr. Chapa indicated
that he felt the map was just for illustration for tax incentive purposes. He stated that it was just
to illustrate the CDBG areas for hiring purposes. Committee Member Espino indicated that in
that case, he would like to see all of the areas in the City that would be CDBG eligible.
Committee Member Burns requested to know when the map would be updated for the 2010
census. Mr. Chapa indicated that City staff was still waiting on the final information to come
forward from the Census Bureau. He added that they were under the impression that it was to
occur at the end of the summer; however, he pointed out that it might be at the end of the year.
Committee Member Burns clarified that at some point the City would know the new areas that
would be CDBG eligible.
Committee Member Price indicated that she agreed with Committee Member Burns that
only through economic development would the City bridge the gap in the budget in order to
deliver services to the citizens. She requested a point of clarification on the primary incentives
CITY OF FORT WORTH
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
Page 14 of 22
Overview of Economic Development
Incentive Program (cont'd) (Agenda Item 2)
he referred to as Tax Increment Reinvestment zones as TIFs. She pointed out that they are really
called TIRs. She pointed out that the TIFs and TIRs appear in different parts of the Tax Code.
Mr. Chapa explained that from the beginning they have always been referred to as TIFs in the
City of Fort Worth. He advised that he understood in other cities and entities they were referred
to as TIRs. She pointed out that when they were shown on the tax reports, they had to be
reported separately. Mr. Chapa explained that in the original handbook for the State of Texas
Office of Economic Development they talked about tax increment financing and this was where
the terminology came from originally. He stated now in the Code they were referred to tax
reinvestment zones or TIRs. Mayor Price indicated that this came from her 10 years of working
in the Tarrant County Tax Office. Chairman Jordan added that there were now transportation
reinvestment zones, which would add to the confusion.
Committee Member Scarth requested that a copy of the PowerPoint presentation be e-
mailed to the committee members. There was further deliberation that the Dropbox for the IPads
was not working properly in order for the committee members to receive the PowerPoints.
Chairman Jordan expressed appreciation to Mr. Chapa for his presentation. He added a
point of information. He stated he felt that the presentation should emphasize that all of the
audits that were done on these projects were performance -based and if they did not live up to the
performance under the contract, there would be penalties or the full contract would not be
provided. He reiterated that there were audits on an annual basis. Chairman Jordan indicated he
supported comments made by Committee Member Burns and that quality jobs was the primarily
purpose of what the City did with these tools. He added also that the infrastructure was not
accentuated enough in the presentation because mobility was probably the primary tool in the
City's tool box as the City built economic development. Chairman Jordan pointed out highly
successful projects, such as the 7 1 Street area. He stated that the City offer the catalyst through
the Montgomery Plaza and the rest had taken off on its own. Chairman Jordan also pointed out
that TIFs could be abolished once the financial criteria that was established in the creation of the
TIF was met through the life of the TIF. He referred to the Southwest Parkway TIF, which was
just abolished.
The presentation and discussion was concluded on this agenda item.
CITY OF FORT WORTH
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
Page 15 of 22
Presentation on 2011 -2012 Application for
Various Federal Grant Funds (Action Plan) (Agenda Item 3)
Jay Chapa, Director of Housing and Economic Development Department, spoke before
the committee regarding the selection process for the PY 2011 -2012 Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) Public Services. Using a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Chapa reviewed a
chart showing the timeline of the Request for Proposal (RFP) release date on March 9, 2011,
through to the Action Plan due to the Housing of Urban Development on August 16, 2011.
Mr. Chapa provided the CDBG funding available as follows:
• CDBG funding
• PY 2011 — 2012: $6,228,267
• Reduction of $1,102,940
• Public Services capped at 15% of allocation and program income
• PY 2011 — 2012: $934,220.40
• Reduction of $192k,559.60
• Total amount of CDBG requested in RFP
■ $1,901,999.01 (over 200% of available funds)
Mr. Chapa spoke about the contract administration issues that the City had experienced in
the past as follows:
• City cited by HUD for not having enough capacity to administer the large
number of contracts under public service designation
• Suggested solution was to increase the contract amounts and reduce total
contracts administered annually
• Community Development Council (CDC) approved changes to the
Request for Proposals (RFP) that included:
o A maximum of 25 contracts
o $25,000 minimum contract amount
o New criteria based on agency performance related to meeting
HUD regulations for administration and reporting
Mr. Chapa presented the evaluation criteria as follows:
■ Units of service — Maximum 5 points available.
CITY OF FORT WORTH
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
Page 16 of 22
Presentation on 2011 -2012 Application
for Various Federal Grant Funds
(Action Plan) (cont'd) (Agenda Item 3)
• Clearly definable, e.g., Hours of Counseling, Days of Childcare
Delivered, Number of Meals Delivered, Number of People
Training
• Goal Alignment — Maximum 3 points available
o Program demonstrated consistency with City Council Goals
• Unduplicated Clients — Maximum 10 points available
• Key reporting metric to HUD
• 1 person or household could be served multiple times, but
was only counted once
■ Administrative Load —Maximum 10 points available
• Management and General Expenses /Total Expenses
• Financial Capacity — Maximum 5 points available
• Total Cash and Equivalents /Total Liabilities
• Financial Leveraging — Maximum 5 points available
• % of Program Paid for by CDBG
• Compliance Issues: Maximum 30 points available
• Findings History: Range of 20 to 10 points
• Reporting History: Range of 10 to 20 points
Mr. Chapa presented a slide showing the CDBG Funding Recommendations, listing all of
the agencies, their funding for the current year, their request and the recommendation from the
Community Development Council. He pointed out that the total amount of funding to be
distributed was $922,970.40.
Mr. Chapa then reviewed a chart showing the agencies that had received funding in the
past but were not recommended to receive funding as follows:
Children's Advocacy Resources and Education
YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth
Senior Citizen Services of Greater Tarrant County
East Fort Worth Montessori
Mr. Chapa reviewed a chart showing a scenario 1: without considering financial capacity
and the agencies that would receive funding and the amount of the funding. He then showed a
CITY OF FORT WORTH
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
Page 17 of 22
Presentation on 2011 -2012 Application
for Various Federal Grant Funds
(Action Plan) (cont'd) (Agenda Item 3)
chart showing agencies in this same category that would not receive funding. Mr. Chapa
presented a chart showing scenario 2: without considering findings and the agencies that would
receive funding and the amount of the funding. He showed a comparison chart of the scenario 2:
without considering findings and the agencies that would not receive funding. Mr. Chapa
continued his presentation with a review of scenario 3: without considering reporting and the
agencies that would be receiving funding and the amount of the funding. He provided the
comparison chart of scenario 3: without considering reporting and the list of agencies that would
not be receiving funding. Mr. Chapa presented charts showing scenario 4: financial capacity,
without findings or reporting and the list of agencies that would be receiving funding and the
amount of the funding and the comparison chart of the agencies that would not be receiving
funding.
Mr. Chapa then reviewed the options to be considered:
1. Adopt the Community Development Council (CDC) recommendations.
2. Disregard some of the evaluation criteria, and fund agencies based on new
rankings.
3. Fund 100% of agencies that applied by reducing proportionately those
recommended for funding by the CDC and eliminating the $25K minimum
(each agency would receive approximately 48% of request)
4. Adopt funding amounts based on new City Council recommendations.
Mr. Chapa completed his presentation and reiterated that it was the City staff s
recommendation to adopt the CDC recommendations. He stated that it was a very tough issue,
and he was not sure how else it could be addressed.
Chairman Jordan opened the floor for questions and /or comments.
Committee Member Price requested clarification as to whether this was the first year that
the guidelines had been used. Mr. Chapa indicated that this was the first year that they had used
these specific guidelines; however, all agencies were under the same guidelines. Mr. Chapa
further explained that from the staff s standpoint, the YMCA had indicated that they were
audited twice within a nine (9) month process. He added every agency was audited within that
nine (9) month process. He stated that it was to set up the guidelines that the CDC had
recommended be followed. Mr. Chapa explained that when they had merged the two
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HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
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Presentation on 2011 -2012 Application
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(Action Plan) (cont'd) (Agenda Item 3)
departments (Housing Department and Economic and Community Affairs Department), the
compliance group for the department consisted of four (4) people that both administered
contracts and did the compliance. Mr. Chapa indicated that he saw that as a conflict of interest.
He explained that they have a new compliance group that consisted of five (5) people and this
work was all that they did. He explained that they have been catching up on some of this work
in the last twelve to eighteen months.
Committee Member Shingleton indicated that he was puzzled and concerned about the
elimination of former partners that have been subsidized by the City in the past. He questioned if
the City should alienate them for years to come or could the City find some other source of
funding for them that could offset their predicament. Mr. Chapa added that was always an
alternative for the City Council. He added that in this case, he was just addressing the CDBG
funds and that 15% cap would not exist. He pointed out that with the City's budget process
coming forward, that could be an alternative. He provided a history of the use of CDBG funds
was to fund an agency for about a five (5) year period of time then they were supposed to roll off
the funding list so that other programs or services could then receive funding. He indicated that
because that was not happening, the City began the RFP and ranking of agencies process. He
added that the City wanted to create the appearance of fairness and transparency. Committee
Member Shingleton indicated that he was not saying that the process was not fair; he was just
concerned that the agencies needed some guidance on their ability to conform to the standards
that have been placed upon them. He added that they have been good partners in other arenas.
Mr. Chapa reviewed with the committee the process when a contract was signed with an agency,
how they were to prepare their reports, etc., which was never put into place before.
Chairman Jordan indicated that he felt the entire committee was struggling with
Committee Member Singleton's concerns. He pointed out for an example the YMCA had been a
great partner with the City in stepping up when there was a community need. He added that he
believed the staff was correct that there needed to be a measure independently on the criteria on
the various kinds of funding that the City had. He pointed out that the City had made
arrangements, for example, with the YMCA on the pool situation where the City was
reimbursing for some of the associated costs. Assistant City Manager Susan Alanis responded
that was correct. She added that since they had been such a good partner, the City was paying
them just under $11,000.00 for the partnership that they have provided with the pools. She
explained further that the City had discussed with them whether this amount of funding could
cover the direct costs and it was determined that it was not covering all of their costs. She
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HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
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Presentation on 2011 -2012 Application
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(Action Plan) (cont'd) (Agenda Item 3)
clarified that the amount would now be $15,000 and was proposed to be funded in next year's
City budget. She added that the goal was to make the program whole as the YMCA had been
great partners. Chairman Jordan pointed out that this amount was still short of the $75,000 that
had been requested; however, he felt the issue was measuring independently these agencies or
does the City give special credence to the fact that they have been community partners. He
reiterated that all of the committee members were struggling with this issue.
Committee Member Scarth indicated that it was very tempting to get involved
particularly in the programs that the City had participated with the YMCA and he indicated he
could make a great case that the City ought to be able to find some way to do so. He stated that
it was very tempting. He added on the other hand, the City had worked very hard to figure out a
way to make this process be more systematic so that it did not come down to people coming
down to the City Council meetings two or three nights in a row and trying to make their case to
the City Council directly. He added that it was also done to take it out of the City Council's
hands of trying to make those individual decisions. He added he would hate to get squeamish
over one thing now, as laudable as their work was, and blow up the process that was working
pretty well.
Committee Member Espino indicated that he also shared the same concerns as
Committee Member Shingleton and not just on the partnership with the YMCA. He pointed out
that the City also had a partnership with them at the North Park YMCA, where they provided
$2.5 million for a facility and the City also provided that amount and was currently providing an
operation subsidy as well. He reiterated his concern about that particular partnership.
Committee Member Espino pointed out that since this was the first year to use these guidelines
and that the amount of the funds were cut at the federal level, he wondered if there was a creative
way through this transition to make up that funding in some way. He pointed out that perhaps it
was not through CDBG dollars but other funding sources that the City may have at its disposal.
He pointed out that last year the City's budget was over a billion dollars and there was $528
million to $538 million in the general fund, thus he wanted to keep that option open and he
wanted to talk about it during the budget process as an improvement package. He stated that he
understood that the YMCA was docked on the compliance side and their leveraging of funds did
not comply; however, he pointed out that part of their debt issue was the fact that they were
partnering with the City on the construction of a new facility at North Park and they do carry a
lot of debt load because they were building new facilities. Committee Member Espino indicated
that he felt there were unique and extenuating circumstances in this situation. He added that as
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HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
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Presentation on 2011 -2012 Application
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(Action Plan) (cont'd) (Agenda Item 3)
the City transitioned to the new guidelines, the lesson had been learned by many of these non-
profits. He pointed out again all of the services that the YMCA had provided and that he felt a
lot of people would be hurt by the elimination of this funding. He reiterated his concern and
encouraged the City staff to keep an option open as the City Council went through the budget
process. Committee Member Espino indicated that he felt that the CDC had some tough choices,
that he felt the process was fair and the criteria was fair. He reiterated that he felt the YMCA
was being penalized because they did have a lot of facilities where they had debt.
Committee Member Burns indicated that he agreed with Council Member Espino. He
stated that perhaps the City not fund the full $75,000 but a portion of it so that they could do the
funding they needed to do in order to keep these programs open for the coming year and then
they could figure out how to do it in future years.
Committee Member Moss supported the same concern. He added that he was concerned
about the audit findings and counting it for two years, so that they were docked twice. He
indicated his support for finding funding so that these programs could be continued for next year.
Chairman Jordan advised that there would be not vote on this item was it would go before
the City Council. He added that he was hearing that there was a consensus of the committee that
the City staff should look for other funding sources to address the agencies that did not receive
any funding.
Assistant City Manager Susan Alanis spoke to the issue of finding the funding sources.
She explained that the upcoming City's budget process would start next week and at this time
there were no local funding sources identified to make up for the federal dollars that had been
eliminated from some of the City's programs and services. She pointed out that a list would be
created as the City Council worked its way through the budget process and then the City staff
could determine what the choices might be.
There was no further presentation or discussion on this agenda item.
Chairman Jordan adjourned the regular meeting of the Housing and Economic
Development Committee into Executive Session at 1:55 p.m.
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CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
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Executive Session (Agenda Item 4)
Chairman Jordan called to order the Executive Session at 1:55 p.m. in order to discussion
the following items:
A. Seek the advice of its attorneys concerning the following items that are exempt from
public disclosure under Article X, Section 9 of the Texas State Bar Rules, as
authorized by Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code: (i) legal issues
related to any current agenda items;
B. Discuss the purchase, sale, lease or value of real property, as authorized by Section
551.072 of the Texas Government Code. Deliberation in an open meeting would
have a detrimental effect on the position of the City in negotiations with a third party;
and,
C. Discuss or deliberate negotiations relating to any economic development
negotiations, as authorized by Section 551.087 of the Texas Government Code.
Chairman Jordan adjourned the Executive Session at 2:26 p.m., on Tuesday, August 2,
2011.
Chairman Jordan reconvened the regular session of the Housing and Economic
Development Committee at 2:26 p.m.
Request for Future Agenda Items
(Agenda Item 5)
Chairman Jordan opened the floor for requests for future agenda items. There were no
requests for future agenda items.
Date of Next Regular Meeting —
September 13, 2011
(Agenda Item 6)
Chairman Jordan advised that the next regular meeting of the Housing and Economic
Development Committee was tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, September 13, 2011.
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CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUGUST 2, 2011
Page 22 of 22
Adjourn (Agenda Item 7)
With no further presentations or discussions, Chairman Jordan adjourned the regular
meeting of the Housing and Economic Development Committee at 2:27 p.m., on Tuesday,
August 2, 2011.
These minutes approved by the Housing and Economic Development Committee on the
4th day of October, 2011.
APPROVED:
Joel Burns, Chairm
Minutes Prepared by and Attest:
Marty Hendrix, City Secretary