Update provided on block grant program, including Joplin Commons project

(From the City of Joplin)

The City of Joplin is one step closer to hiring a consultant firm to help manage the $113 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Assistance (CDBG-DR), a federal funding program awarded to Joplin in 2013. City staff is in final review of the applicants responding to a Request for Qualification (RFQ) for this service, and plans are to have a firm selected in April 2014 to assist the City of Joplin in coordination of funding. As part of a federal program, CDBG-DR funding has specific regulations and multiple processes that must be followed to adhere to the grant requirements, and the selected firm will work closely with City staff to ensure compliance.

In conjunction, City officials are reviewing proposed infrastructure projects such as storm and sanitary sewer repairs, as well as streets and sidewalks, in preparation of soliciting bids and contracts for work.

Due diligence and planning continues on other potential projects and amenities such as the Joplin Commons, a proposed multi-use facility that would offer a variety of sports and recreational programs to area residents. According to City of Joplin staff, one challenge in using federal CDBG-DR funding is the main recipients of a program or service must primarily fall into the category of low and moderate income (LMI) residents, which equates to 80% of Joplin’s median income. In other words, at least 51% of Joplin residents that utilize the facility must be LMI residents.

“Upon further City review of CDBG-DR guidelines, staff raised concerns that having all programs and activities under one roof would make the Commons project ineligible for federal funding through CDBG,” said Interim City Manager Sam Anselm. “To avoid putting the City at future financial risk, we are working on other ideas that would meet the same objectives as the Commons as it was originally proposed, but in a way that doesn’t put us in a position where we have to pay back the funds used to construct the facility.”

City staff is putting together a list of options for consideration and will present additional findings and information to the City Council in an upcoming council work session to discuss these and other potential projects. In addition, in the coming weeks the City of Joplin will host public participation forums to gather further input on projects to share with the consultant firm as they begin work.