12 - Authorization of TxCDBG Grant Application - Texas Capital Fund Main Street ProgramItem No. 12
TO: Mayor & City Council
Grayson Path, City Manager
FROM: Carla Easton, PE, Engineering & Community Development Director
SUBJECT: 2020 TxCDBG MAIN STREET — GRANT APPLICATION
DATE: August 24, 2020
BACKGROUND: The City is eligible to apply for grant opportunities from the Texas Capital
Fund Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) - Main Street Program for an amount up
to $500,000 to reconstruct infrastructure in downtown. This amount has increased from $250,000
in years past, with the city match staying the same at $75,000. The city has had great success with
this program, and it would benefit the downtown to continue replacing sidewalks and infrastructure
under through this sort of funding opportunity, which emphasizes the removal of blight in
downtown areas.
The comprehensive plan and the Downtown Visioning Plan prepared by the Toole Design Group
in 2018 recommends a transformation of 1St Street SE to a walkable street with pedestrian
amenities, lighting, and utility improvements from Lamar to Clarksville, with the intention of
creating an outdoor venue space coordinated with surrounding vendors and businesses. This grant
would provide funding for this important project, which would coincide with the current
reconstruction/revitalization efforts happening to several privately owned buildings in the area.
The proposed project will include as many of the improvements as affordable from the Toole
Design Group Downtown Visioning Plan from Lamar to Clarksville, and will also replace the
street and sidewalks from Clarksville to Kaufman.
STATUS OF ISSUE: Staff is working with Resource Management & Consulting Company to
prepare the grant application, which is due September 1, 2020. A resolution is required for the
application.
BUDGET: The city is committing to a grant match of $75,000, which is included in the 2021
budget.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the resolution of support for the 2020 TxCDBG Main Street
grant application.
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PARIS, TEXAS, DETERMINING
AN AREA OF THE CITY CONTAINS CONDITIONS OF SLUM/BLIGHT; AND
AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF A TEXAS COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION TO THE TEXAS
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE TEXAS CAPITAL FUND MAIN
STREET PROGRAM; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACT AS
THE CITY'S EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
IN ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE CITY'S PARTICIPATION IN THE
TEXAS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Paris, Texas desires to develop a viable
urban community, including a suitable living environment and expanding economic
opportunities, principally for persons of low -to -moderate income; and
WHEREAS, areas along 1St Street SE between Kaufman Street and Lamar Avenue
have a predominance of buildings, curbs, sidewalks and infrastructure that is deteriorated
due to age, lack of drainage and other reasons, which qualify as slum or blighted, and
certain conditions exist which represent a threat to the public health and safety (i.e.
deteriorated roadways, sidewalks, infrastructure, inadequate accessibility, inadequate
lighting); and
WHEREAS, the City Council hereby authorizes submission of an application for the
elimination of slum/blight conditions for areas along 1St Street SE between Lamar Avenue
and Kaufman Street to include:
Sidewalk/Street/Lighting/Accessibility Improvements $500,000.00
Matching Funds (Administration/Construction/Engineering) $ 75,000.00
WHEREAS, it is necessary and in the best interests of the City of Paris to apply for
funding under the Texas Community Development Block Grant Program, Texas Capital
Fund Main Street Program;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PARIS, TEXAS:
Section 1. That a Texas Community Development Block Grant Program application
for the Texas Capital Fund Main Street Program is hereby authorized to be filed on behalf of
the City with the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Section 2. The City Council hereby designates the following slum/blighted area as
1St Street SE between Lamar Avenue and Kaufman Street as it applies to the Texas Capital
Fund Main Street Program Grant Application; a map of which is attached hereto.
Section 3. That the City's application be placed in competition for funding under the
Texas Capital Fund Main Street Program.
Section 4. That the City Council directs and designates the City Manager as the
City's Chief Executive Officer and Authorized Representative to act in all matters in
connection with this application and the City's participation in the Texas Community
Development Block Grant Program.
Section 5. That all funds will be used in accordance with all applicable federal, state,
local and programmatic requirements including but not limited to procurement,
environmental review, labor standards , real property acquisition, and civil rights
requirements.
Section 6. That it further be stated that the City of Paris is committing $75,000.00,
or 15% of grant funds, from the City of Paris General Fund as a cash contribution toward
the administration, engineering and/or construction activities of this Main Street project.
Passed and approved this 24th day of August, 2020.
Steven J. Clifford, M.D., Mayor
ATTEST:
Janice Ellis, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Stephanie H. Harris, City Attorney