CITY OF THORNTON CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE

A G E N D A

Planning Session May 2, 2017

5:45 p.m.

1. Boards and Committees Reports (Estimated 20 minutes)

a. DRCOG Board of Directors Meeting (4/19) Update by Mayor Williams

b. Urban Drainage and Flood Control District Meeting (4/20) Update by Mayor Williams

c. Smart Commute Metro North Meeting (4/26) Update by Mayor Williams

d. E-470 Authority Board of Directors Meeting (4/27) Update by

Mayor Williams

e. North Area Transportation Alliance Meeting (4/27) Update by Mayor Pro Tem Montoya

2. Discussion Regarding Board and Commission Advertising

(Estimated 30 minutes) 3. Discussion of the 2017 Annual Action Plan (Estimated 40 minutes) 4. Discussion regarding creating an infrastructure reimbursement fee

area for the construction of the East 112th Avenue widening project from York Street to Colorado Boulevard (Estimated 30 minutes)

5. Discussion Regarding Declaring a Portion of Farm 61-15 as Surplus Property and Authorizing its Disposition (Estimated 15 minutes)

6. 2017 Advance Follow-Up and Next Steps (Estimated 40 minutes)

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PLANNING SESSION COMMUNICATION PAGE 2 ALTERNATIVES: 1. Prioritize the projects that will increase the number of affordable housing units in Thornton first,

and then other housing projects second: First priority: 1) water and/or sewer tap fee rebate for new affordable housing; 2) acquisition

and rehabilitation of single-family houses to sell to income-eligible homebuyers Second priority: 3) home repair programs; 4) installation of solar panels on homes of

income-eligible homeowners; 5) emergency mortgage/rent assistance for people in crisis to prevent eviction or homelessness

Contingency project: 6) design or construction of a pedestrian trail near Skyview campus 2. Prioritize based on the high priority needs listed in the Consolidated Plan:

First priority: 1) water and/or sewer tap fee rebate for new affordable housing; 2) acquisition and rehabilitation of single-family houses to sell to income-eligible homebuyers; 3) home repair programs; 4) emergency mortgage/rent assistance for people in crisis to prevent eviction or homelessness

Contingency projects: 5) installation of solar panels on homes of income-eligible homeowners; 6) design or construction of a pedestrian trail near Skyview campus

3. Prioritize the City infrastructure project first and then fund existing on-going programs: First priority: 1) design or construction of a pedestrian trail near Skyview campus Second priority: 2) installation of solar panels on homes of income-eligible homeowners; 3)

home repair programs; 4) emergency mortgage/rent assistance for people in crisis to prevent eviction or homelessness

Contingency projects: 5) water and/or sewer tap fee rebate for new affordable housing; 6) acquisition and rehabilitation of single-family houses to sell to income-eligible homebuyers

BACKGROUND (ANALYSIS/NEXT STEPS/HISTORY): Community Development Block Grants are federal funds from HUD. The City has used CDBG funds in Thornton since 1983. In March 2010, Thornton became its own entitlement community, so the City now receives grant funds directly from HUD. Projects funded through CDBG must meet one or more of the national objectives to benefit low and moderate income persons; aid in the prevention or elimination of slum and blight; or meet urgent community needs. City staff contacted the City department leaders and 71 nonprofit organizations to notify them about the opportunity to apply for CDBG funding and provided information on what types of projects are eligible. Besides the agencies that submitted applications, staff spoke with the Centura Health, Cold Weather Care, Center for People with Disabilities, Arapahoe House, Senior Hub, Adams County Housing Authority, Love Outreach Pentecostal Church, Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics, Shiloh House, and the Community Services Department. Eight applications were submitted for CDBG funding. Two projects were not eligible and the other six are eligible activities per 24 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 570.201-206 and met a national objective of the CDBG program. Each of the six eligible projects address a need for the low-income population identified in the 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan. This list of prioritized community needs, seen in Exhibit B, was created through a public input process that included resident surveys, focus groups and community meetings.

PLANNING SESSION COMMUNICATION PAGE 3 Communities develop this list to help them guide HUD funding towards the high priority needs as defined by the community.

The tap fees for a new housing development will achieve the high priority community need to “support the construction of new affordable housing.”

The project to acquire and rehabilitate single-family houses to sell to income-eligible homebuyers will help achieve the high priority community need to “acquire housing for rehabilitation.”

The solar panel installation project and both the home repair programs will help achieve the high priority community need to “rehabilitate owner-occupied and multifamily housing.”

The emergency mortgage/rent assistance will help achieve the high priority community need to “increase or improve services for specific populations.”

The Design or construction of a pedestrian trail near Skyview campus will address a low priority need to conduct “residential sidewalk improvements.”

Three of the projects also address needs identified in the 2014 Housing Needs Assessment, which City Council accepted at the November 25, 2014 Council meeting. According to the Housing Needs Assessment:

There is a need for the construction of more rent-restricted affordable housing for low-income residents (less than 50% area median income). Supporting affordable housing through reducing tap fees would help address this need.

Although 60% of the prospective buyers in Thornton fell at or below 80% of the area median income, only 1/3 of the homes sold during that time were affordable to people in that income range. Acquisition and rehabilitation of single-family houses to sell to income-eligible homebuyers would increase the supply of homes for those in that income range.

Thornton has a limited amount of accessible housing for those with disabilities, especially for low-income families. Low-income homeowners can add accessibility improvements to their home through the Help for Homes and Home Repair Loan programs.

HUD requires an entitlement jurisdiction to submit an Annual Action Plan each year to receive the CDBG funding (24 CFR § 91.15) and hold a 30-day comment period followed by a public hearing to obtain the views of citizens on the proposed Plan and use of grant funding (24 CFR § 570.431). The public comment period for the Annual Action Plan runs April 3, 2017 through May 4, 2017. History and Background: October 3, 2016 – February 28, 2017 – The City solicited letters of intent and applications from

agencies and City departments on project proposals for CDBG funding. February 24, 2015 – City Council approved the 2015 – 2019 Consolidated Plan, the five-year

strategic plan for the use of CDBG funds.

Exhibit A ‐ 2017 CDBG Project Proposals

Project Project DescriptionFunding Amount

Number Served

Tap Fee Rebate for New Multifamily Affordable Housing

CDBG can be used to reduce the water/sewer tap fee costs for multifamily affordable housing developments. The City would reimburse a developer or builder after they installed the water lines. Therefore, projects would need to have completed the City planning process, have funding and loans secured, and be ready to start site preparation during the program year before the City could award CDBG. There are two affordable housing projects that have started the City planning process.  

At least $100,000

60 to 300 families

Acquisition and Rehabilitation of Existing Single Family Housing to Increase Affordable Housing 

Habitat for Humanity and Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation (CRHDC) will purchase single‐family homes in Thornton and use CDBG to rehabilitate the housing for future low and moderate income home buyers. This program, which is modeled after the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), will bring the houses up to the current code and increase the energy efficiency of the home. The NSP program resulted in improving 31 foreclosed houses in Thornton; CRHDC purchased, rehabilitated and sold 21 of the 31 homes to low and moderate income families. 86% of the 21 families are still living in the houses. Adams County Housing Authority handled the other 10 homes. 

$35,000 ‐ $50,000 a house

Up to 3 houses a year 

Installation of Solar Panels for Low and Moderate Homeowners to Reduce Housing Expenses and Keep Homes Affordable

Using solar panels can reduce a homeowner's electric bill by 75%, thereby keeping homes affordable for low and moderate income residents. GRID Alternatives proposes to install solar panels on up to 25 homes of income‐eligible residents, who own and live in their home. The cost of the equipment and installation is approximately $17,000 per home; CDBG pays for 62% of the total cost and solar panel companies donate equipment. Homeowners must complete 16 hours of sweat equity in exchange for receiving free solar panels and installation. GRID staff provide maintenance on the panels for the first 10 years under the 10‐year workmanship and equipment warranties.  Currently, GRID has a wait list of 12 Thornton homeowners who are approved for the program, an additional 29 families are income‐qualified and are having their homes inspected for solar panel suitability, and 30 more have recently applied.

$10,500 per house

Up to 25 households a year

HOUSING

Exhibit A ‐ 2017 CDBG Project Proposals

Project Project DescriptionFunding Amount

Number Served

Home Repair Programs: Help for Homes and Home Repair Loan

Help for Homes is a program that provides in health, safety and accessibility home repairs to eligible low‐income homeowners. The repair costs are capped at $4,000 per house. Since the program began in 2003, 475 households have benefitted from this program. The program currently has enough funding to serve approximately of 24 households. 

The Home Repair Loan program is a 0% interest loan for low and moderate income homeowners to complete large or complex home repairs. Homeowners must complete free one‐on‐one counseling to identify if they have the financial capacity for a loan and receive assistance in hiring a competent contractor for the work. Loans are up to $12,000. Three people have received loans since the program started in October 2014. The program has enough funds to provide loans to at least three homeowners. 

$4,000 per home

Up to 45 houses a year

Pedestrian Trail 

The City of Thornton and the Mapleton school district are identifying ways to address pedestrian and bicycle access to the Welby commuter rail station and help connect the neighborhoods on the east and west side of the station.  The City has proposed adding an ADA accessible sidewalk on the north side of the Skyview Campus.  This project is dependent on if, and when, Mapleton School District grants an easement to the City to construct a trail. 

Total estimated cost = 

$350,000 to $580,000 

200 ‐ 400 households

Short Term Housing  Assistance 

CDBG can fund short‐term, emergency assistance with rent or mortgage payments for low‐income people in a crisis. Intervention provides this assistance to victims of domestic violence to ensure the person has stable housing while he/she is separating from his/her abuser. Intervention has served six Thornton families since November 2016 with CDBG. Other nonprofit organizations that could use CDBG to fund emergency rent or mortgage assistance are those nonprofits that assist families dealing with a medical crisis or young adults who are establishing housing after exiting the foster care system.

$1,000 a household

Up to 90 people. *Subject to the public service cap of 15% of the overall CDBG allocation

PUBLIC SERVICE

INFRASTRUCTURE

Priority Needs for Low‐Income Population High Low

Support Construction of New Affordable Housing xAcquire Housing for Rehabilitation xRehabilitate Owner‐Occupied Housing and Multifamily Housing xProvide Financial Assistance to Purchase a Home in Thornton xImprove Energy Efficiency in Existing Housing xSupport or Develop Housing for Homeless x

Flood and Drainage Improvements (i.e. retention ponds, catch basins) xCity Water and Sewer Improvements (must be to affordable housing or in low‐income residential neighborhoods) xResidential Street Improvements (i.e. lighting for safety) xStreetscape Improvements (i.e. landscaping in rights of way) x

Residential Sidewalk Improvements (i.e. missing sections, wheelchair accessibility)x

Acquire, Construct or Rehabilitate Health Facilities (i.e. physical or mental health)x

Acquire, Construct or Rehabilitate Facilities for Specific Populations  (seniors, disabled, victims of domestic violence, people with substance abuse issues, abused and neglected children, homeless and near‐homeless) xAcquire, Construct or Rehabilitate Centers for Youth or Child Care xDevelop or Improve Recreational/Library Facilities and Parks x

Support Employment Training xSupport Improved Transportation Services  xSupport Improved Health Services (i.e. physical or mental health) xIncrease or Improve Services for Specific Populations  (seniors, disabled, victims of domestic violence, people with substance abuse issues, abused and neglected children, homeless and near‐homeless) xProvide Improved Services for Youth or Childcare xScreen for Lead Based Paint Hazards xProvide Legal Services xEducation of Crime Awareness or Prevention Services xProvide Housing Counseling and Rental Assistance Counseling x

Provide Small Business Development Assistance xRehabilitate Public or Private Commercial/Industrial Facilities xDevelop Commercial/Industrial Infrastructure x*Approved by City Council on February 24, 2015

Exhibit B

Economic Development that Results in New Jobs

Funding Priorities for 2015‐2019 Consolidated Plan*

Housing

Public Infrastructure

Public Facilities

Public Services 

Community Development Block Grant

May 2, 2017

Federal funding from theU.S Department of Housing and

Urban Development (HUD)

The Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 - Section 101(c) states that the primary

objective of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is the development of viable

communities by the provision of decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding

economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income.

Water/Sewer Tap Fees for Affordable Housing Developments

CDBG can offset some of the cost of water and/or sewer tap fees. Once the water lines are installed, the developer can pay the water/sewer tap fees. Thornton’s CDBG funds could reimburse the developer up to $300,000 of the fees. All the apartments in the development would need to serve people at or below 80% area median income.

Rehabilitation of Existing Single-Family Houses

Two community housing development organizations will purchase single-family homes in Thornton, improve the energy efficiency and bring them up to current building code. The homes will be sold to low income buyers and will remain affordable for a minimum of 15 years.

Solar Panel Installation Project

GRID Alternatives installs free solar electric panels on Thornton homes to reduce energy costs. Homeowners must be low-income and the roof must be suitable for solar panels. Twelve Thornton homeowners are approved and on the wait list. Another 29 residents are income qualified and are having their roofs inspected.

Home Repair Programs

Help for Homes is a program in which income-eligible homeowners receive up to $4,000 in minor home repairs.

for low-income homeowners

The Home Repair Loan is a 0% interest loan to complete health, safety and accessibility repairs. Loans range from $3,500 to $12,000 a house.

Pedestrian TrailAdding an ADA accessible sidewalk on the Skyview campus

to connect people to commuter rail station.

Short-term Emergency Mortgage/Rent Assistance

Intervention provides this assistance to victims of domestic violence to ensure people have stable housing while they are separating from their abusers.

Other nonprofit organizations that could use CDBG to fund emergency rent or mortgage assistance are those that assist families dealing with a medical crisis.

Proposed Projects

1. Water/sewer tap fee rebate for new affordable housing

2. Acquisition and rehabilitation of single family houses to sell to income-eligible homebuyers

3. Installation of solar panels on the homes of income-eligible homeowners

4. Home repair programs: Help for Homes and the Home Repair Loan

5. Design or construction of a pedestrian trail near Skyview campus

6. Emergency mortgage/rent assistance for people in crisis to prevent eviction or homelessness

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BACKGROUND (ANALYSIS/NEXT STEPS/HISTORY): The Project will construct an additional travel lane in each direction for a total of four lanes; one bike lane in each direction; westbound to northbound right turn lanes at York Street, Steele Street, and Madison Street; and eastbound to southbound right turn lanes at Madison Street and Colorado Boulevard. Existing left turn lanes will be maintained at York Street, Steele Street, Madison Street, and Colorado Boulevard. Drainage improvements, traffic signal modifications, and trail modifications are also included in the Project. The design of the Project is proceeding and final plans are scheduled to be received in January 2018. On July 24, 2000, City Council adopted an ordinance enacting a new article IV to Chapter 66 of the Thornton City Code related to infrastructure reimbursement fees for major system wide improvements made by the City. The ordinance provides that the Infrastructure Department is required: 1. To prepare a description of the improvements the City intends to install (major system wide

improvements include, water, wastewater, transportation and stormwater improvements); 2. Prepare an estimate of the fee based upon cost estimates for the improvements; and 3. To establish the geographical area within which the fee would be collected.

This information along with the date and time that the infrastructure reimbursement fee would be considered by City Council is required to be mailed out to the owners of record of the property located within the geographical area subject to the fee. A public hearing is held only if specifically requested by a property owner. Either with or without a hearing, if City Council determines to create the fee area, it is required to adopt a resolution describing the general boundaries of the area that may be provided service by the facilities, the estimated costs for the infrastructure improvement, and estimated infrastructure fee. Once the construction is completed, the actual costs will be used to determine the final infrastructure fee and a report from City Council is prepared setting the reimbursement fee for the roadway improvements. The infrastructure fee may be reviewed annually and may be adjusted for increases in inflation based on the construction cost index provided in the “Engineering News Record.” The fee shall be paid no later than when the first building permit is issued. The geographical area within which the fee would be collected and the property owners of record are shown in Exhibit B. Based on an acreage basis, the total estimated infrastructure reimbursement fee if collected is $1,412,400; $1,277,886 and $134,514, from the Carlson and Bejarano properties respectively.

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PLANNING SESSION COMMUNICATION PAGE 2

Lasalle operates LRP Trucking on their property adjacent to Lot A. Their property is annexed into the Town of Ault and is zoned Industrial. Selling Lot A to Lasalle to expand LRP Trucking’s operation would benefit Lasalle and the Town of Ault from an economic development standpoint. This sale would promote goodwill with the Town of Ault and a local business located in the town. Farm 61-15 was valued at $4,750 per acre in a basic data report prepared by an appraiser in 2015. Based on this value Lot A would be valued at approximately $5,500 on a per-acre basis. A separate lot of this size would have a higher value if developed separately. One of the provisions of the sale will be to require Lasalle to zone and plat Lot A into their existing parcel thereby eliminating the possibility of profiting from selling the lot separately. Because of this requirement, staff recommends selling Lot A at the agreed-upon price of $8,000, which would reflect the land value plus costs associated with the sale.

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PLANNING SESSION COMMUNICATION PAGE 2

General Follow-Up Form ad hoc committees to focus on education, housing, and the Council boot camp. Staff will

develop a draft charge for Council review during a Planning Session. Council will facilitate these meetings.

Reassess Council’s board and committee appointments. Staff will send a list of current appointments for Council discussion.

Research the Ward meeting structure in Fort Collins. Staff will send an email to Council summarizing this structure.

Plan a mid-year discussion with Council, the City Manager, and City Attorney to assess and measure achievements.

The room layout for Planning Sessions and Updates will change, and the Mayor will facilitate these meetings moving forward. The City Manager’s Office will continue to develop the agenda.

The Boards and Committee Reports will no longer be last on the agenda and Council will focus more on the major issues during their report.

Staff will include both pros and cons in future Council communications, and highlight both sides during the presentation.

Consider including improved manufactured home park maintenance standards in the 2018 State legislative agenda.

Other Comments

The Ad Hoc Committee process and presentations at the Advance o Engaged Council and staff o Allowed the Council to understand the issues before the Advance o Everyone had input on the Work Plan components o Prioritization of the Work Plan elements was achieved o Ability to see how staff and Council priorities matched was helpful

Dinner with Fort Collins Council was useful and allowed for exchange of ideas and learning. Council appreciated staff’s preparation for the Advance and candid comments. The Sunday discussion with Council, City Attorney and Acting City Manager was productive. Disappointed that the Saturday session ended early. Council appreciated that the agenda was focused and that there was no speaker to kick-off the

event.

2018 Advance Considerations Council would like to book for 2018 early and look for other venue options. Council would like to continue going off-site for the Advance. The snacks were great, but the lunches were too heavy. Simplify lunches (sandwiches) and go

off-site for dinners. Include a teambuilding exercise and more social time together (staff and Council) in 2018. Include more time for Council conversations.