Title
REAP CONSORTIUM AGREEMENT FOR SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES.
Presented by: John L. Schlegel, Director of Planning.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the agreement, establish budget authority in the amount of the approved HUD Grant award of $1,500,000, and authorize the Chairman to designate a primary point of contact at a later date.
Body
In November 2011, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded the Regional Economic Area Partnership (REAP) a Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant in the amount of $1.5 million. The purpose of this grant is to develop a regional plan for sustainable communities for south central Kansas to support metropolitan and multi-jurisdictional planning efforts that integrate housing, economic and workforce development, transportation, and infrastructure investments. This effort will help build regional capacity to compete in the global economy.
In order to qualify for this grant, REAP has created a regional consortium that includes the City of Wichita (the city with the largest population), the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (the region’s MPO), and all counties and their respective county seats in the Metropolitan Statistical Area (Sedgwick, Butler, Harvey and Sumner) plus Reno County. Other private and non-profit entities have agreed to be members of this consortium. On September 28, 2011, the County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution authorizing the County to participate in the REAP consortium.
The total budget for the three-year plan development process is $2,322,804. The proposed cost share is approximately 65 percent grant funds ($1,500,000) from HUD and approximately 35 percent leveraged local resources from the consortium members. All local resources are in-kind (non-cash) contributions with the exception of a $50,000 cash match from the Kansas Health Foundation. Funds will be used for project management staff, technical consultation and assistance, and activities to engage underrepresented populations. REAP will oversee the grant award and the development of the plan through the hire of a project manager and an assistant project manager. REAP will have three years to complete the regional plan.
Sedgwick County has been asked by REAP to participate as a consortium member and also serve as fiscal agent for the grant program. As fiscal agent, Sedgwick County would pay the grant-related bills of the consortium and then seek reimbursement from HUD for its expenditures. Sedgwick County would also be responsible for preparing and submitting the grant’s financial reports and complying with any related fiscal audit requirements.
The Consortium Agreement pledges Sedgwick County to be a member of the consortium, to serve as fiscal agent, and to support this effort with staff services (see information below) which will be used as part of the in-kind match for the federal grant. Total in-kind contributions will total $120,707 over the three-year period. No County staff will be added to work on this grant.
Sedgwick County In-Kind Contributions in Support of the REAP HUD Grant:
Code Enforcement Director salary and benefit costs $9,060
Housing Director salary and benefit costs $6,942
Economic Developer salary and benefit costs $5,212
Finance Director salary and benefit costs $13,693
Indirect administration costs (5.72% of total grant amount) $85,800
TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION $120,707
Recommendation: It is the recommendation of staff that the Board of County Commissioners approve the Consortium Agreement and authorize the necessary signatures.
Alternatives: The Commission has the option of not authorizing the Consortium Agreement.
Financial Considerations: There is no cash match requirement from the County and no County staff will be added to work on this grant. Budget authority would be established in fund 279 to accommodate grant expenditures totaling $1,500,000.
Legal Considerations: The Board of County Commissioners are authorized to enter into contracts in relation to property and concerns of the county necessary to the exercise of its corporate and administrative powers. K.S.A. 19-101 fourth.
Policy Considerations: None
Outside Attendees: None
Multimedia Presentation: None