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I. INVOCATION
a. Rev. Bailey Norman, St. Stephens Episcopal Church
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. ROLL CALL
IV. PROCLAMATIONS AND PUBLIC RECOGNITIONS
a. A Proclamation Honoring Robertsville Middle School Students for the Launch of theRamSat Project
RamSatProclamation..pdf
V. SPECIAL REPORTS
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes from the May 10, 2021 City Council Regular Meeting May 10, 2021 Minutes.pdf
b. Minutes from the May 18, 2021 City Council Special Meeting May 18, 2021 Special Meeting Minutes.pdf
c. Confirmation of Nomination of James Rushton, III to the Oak Ridge Utility District Board ofCommissioners
James Rushton ORUD Nomination.pdf
d. Membership and Dues for ETEDA Resolution - ETEDA Dues.docx
e. Purchase of One Vehicle for the Electric Department Resolution - Ford Explorer.docx
f. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency/Military Department Grant Resolution - TEMA Grant.docx
g. Designation of Personnel Director as City's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)Coordinator
Resolution - EEO Coordinator Designation.docx
OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCILREGULAR MEETING
Municipal Building Courtroom
June 14, 2021 - 7:00 PM
AGENDA
h. Knox Blount Cleaning Contract Extension Resolution_-_Janitorial_Amendment.docx
i. JD Edwards Software Annual Maintenance Resolution - JD Edward.docx
j. Best Provider Commodity Requirements for Fiscal Year 2022 Resolution - Mansfield Gas.docx
k. Tax Equivalents from Electric and Waterworks Funds Resolution - Tax Equivalents.docx
VII. PUBLIC HEARING OF RESOLUTIONS
a. Community Development Block Grant 2nd Annual Action Plan PY21/FY22 Public Hearingand Resolution
Annual Action Plan PY21-FY22_v1 Proposed.pdf Resolution - CDBG Annual Action Plan.docx
b. Community Development Block Grant 2nd CARES Act Amendment to the Annual ActionPlan (AAP) for PY2019/FY2020
Proposed AAP PY19 FY20 Substantial Amendment _2.pdf Resolution - CDBG Cares Act Amendment.docx
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES
IX. FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES
a. Adoption of the Appropriation Ordinance for FY2022 Appropriations_Ordinance_Beginning-FY_2022 (4).doc
X. RESOLUTIONS
a. Outdoor Pool Chlorine Supply FY2022 2021-05-06 10-31 Sole Source.pdf Resolution - Chlorine.docx
b. Initial Debt Resolution Resolution - Initial Debt Resolution.DOCX
XI. APPEARANCE OF CITIZENSALL CITIZENS ARE GIVEN 3 MINUTES
XII. ELECTIONS/APPOINTMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SCHEDULING
XIII. COUNCIL REQUESTS FOR NEW BUSINESS ITEMS OR FUTURE BRIEFINGS
XIV. SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTSa. CITY MANAGER'S REPORTb. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
XV. ADJOURNMENT
DATE: June 14, 2021
TO: Mark S. Watson, City Manager
FROM: Beth Hickman
SUBJECT: A Proclamation Honoring Robertsville Middle School Students for theLaunch of the RamSat Project
AGENDA ID: IV.aOAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
RecommendationN/A Attachments:RamSatProclamation..pdf
PROCLAMATION
whereas, in November, 2017, a team of Robertsville Middle School students, educators and Oak Ridge scientists
submitted a proposal to NASA for their Cube Satellite Launch Initiative (CSLI) in hopes of sending a student-designed nanosatellite named “RamSat” into space; and
WHEREAS, CSLI provides opportunities for small satellite payloads built by various schools and non-profit organizations to
fly on upcoming launches as well as a low-cost pathway to conduct scientific investigations in space and hands-on development experiences; and
WHEREAS, in March, 2018 Robertsville Middle School became the first middle school to ever be selected by NASA for this
impressive program; and
Whereas, the Robertsville Middle School proposal created student-driven STEM-based lessons addressing educational
development needs relevant to NASA’s strategic goals; and
whereas, the students’ targeted mission for their RamSat is to send a small camera and radio encased in a 2U
nanosatellite that will relay data and images from space back to earth, and with this information, they will study reforestation patterns of vegetation lost in forest fires; and
whereas, the Robertsville Middle School project is included on a prestigious list of organizations whose projects have
been prioritized, including Cornell University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, NASA’s Ames Research Center, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, University of California and AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation; and
whereas, students designed, built and carried out a satellite mission; they are now recognized as mission scientists,
communication specialists and logistics experts; they calculated orbits, learned to aim the satellite camera at selected targets, to radio their commands to RamSat and to receive and interpret digital data streams; and
WHEREAS, under the leadership of STEM instructor Todd Livesay, numerous officials from the Oak Ridge Schools,
volunteers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Y-12 National Security Complex and the Oak Ridge community, and in partnership with the Marshall Space Flight Center, the RamSat project stands on the cutting edge of technology that could be utilized in various capacities by NASA in the years to come; and
The satellite was successfully launched into space on June 3, 2021.
WHEREAS, the City is fortunate to have such outstanding young men and women participating in this project, along with
their instructors and mentors, as part of the Oak Ridge community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE:
that the City congratulates the students at Robertsville Middle School for creation and launch of the amazing RamSat project, which will make a valuable contribution to the field of space technology and in the solving of complex problems facing our community.
in witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the City of Oak Ridge to be affixed,
this the 14th day of June in the year 2021.
Warren L. Gooch, mayor
OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Municipal Building Courtroom
May 10, 2021
Minutes The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Oak Ridge, Tennessee convened at 7:00 p.m. on May 10, 2021 with Mayor Warren Gooch presiding. The invocation was given by Elder Darris Waters, Oak Ridge City Employee.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tem Rick Chinn. ROLL CALL
Upon roll call the following Councilmembers were present: Councilmember Kelly Callison; Mayor Pro Tem Rick Chinn, Jr.; Councilmember Jim Dodson; Mayor Warren Gooch; Councilmember Derrick Hammond; and Councilmember Charles J. Hope, Jr. and Councilmember Ellen Smith.
Also present were Mark S. Watson, City Manager; Tammy Dunn, City Attorney; Janice McGinnis, Finance Director; and Mary Beth Hickman, City Clerk.
PROCLAMATIONS AND PUBLIC RECOGNITIONS A proclamation designating May 9-15, 2021 as Police Week and May 15, 2021 as Police Memorial Day Mayor Gooch moved for approval of the proclamation, and Councilmember Smith seconded. The proclamation was approved unanimously by voice vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” A proclamation designating May, 2021 as Foster Care Month Councilmember Hope moved for approval of the proclamation, and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn seconded. The proclamation was approved unanimously by voice vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” SPECIAL REPORTS (NONE) CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Smith requested that the following items be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion: A RESOLUTION WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDS AND MAKING AN AWARD TO THE BEST PROVIDERS FOR FURNISHING CHEMICALS TO THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $450,000. A RESOLUTION WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDS AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO CONTRACT FOR TREE REMOVAL AS REQUIRED IN FISCAL YEAR 2022 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000. A RESOLUTION WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDS AND MAKING AN AWARD TO WASTE MANAGEMENT FOR DISPOSAL OF BIOSOLIDS AT THE CHESTNUT RIDGE LANDFILL FOR THE
Minutes – May 10, 2021 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 2
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $180,000. A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION TO THE AGREEMENT WITH AID TO DISTRESSED FAMILIES OF APPALACHIAN COUNTIES, INC. FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY’S SOCIAL SERVICES POLICY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 IN THE AMOUNT OF $169,305.00. A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FIST TWO-YEAR RENEWAL OPTION FOR THE ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT’S TREE TRIMMING CONTRACT (FY2020-002) IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,408,571.94, AND AMENDING THE CONTRACT TO TRANSFER THE CONTRACT FROM SEELBACH AND COMPANY, LLC INTO THE NAME OF THEIR PARENT COMPANY W.A. KENDALL AND COMPANY, LLC, LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA. Councilmember Hope moved for approval of the Consent Agenda as amended, and Councilmember Smith seconded. The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: April 12, 2021 City Council regular meeting minutes Resolution No. 5-40-2021 A RESOLUTION WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDS AND MAKING AN AWARD TO MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC., 500 WEST MONROE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, FOR MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR MAY 1, 2021 THROUGH APRIL 30, 2022 IN THE AMOUNT OF $62,506.76. Resolution No. 5-41-2021 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF $30,795.00 FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) VEHICLE FOR THE ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT UTILIZING STATE CONTRACT PRICING. Resolution No. 5-42-2021 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONTRACT WITH THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (“TDOT”) FOR MAINTENANCE OF STATE HIGHWAYS WITHIN THE CORPORATE CITY LIMITS WHEREBY THE CITY IS REIMBURSED BY TDOT FOR SAID SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $151,282.65 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022. Resolution No. 5-43-2021 A RESOLUTION WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDS AND MAKING AN AWARD TO THE BEST PROVIDERS FOR EMERGENCY STREET RESURFACING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $230,000.00. Resolution No. 5-44-2021 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF SINGLE-PHASE PAD MOUNTED TRANSFORMERS FROM UTILITY SALES AGENCY, LENOIR CITY, TENNESSEE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $313,320.00 FOR USE BY THE ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT.
The items that were removed from the Consent Agenda were taken up next. Resolution No. 5-45-2021 A RESOLUTION WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDS AND MAKING AN AWARD TO THE BEST PROVIDERS FOR FURNISHING CHEMICALS TO THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $450,000.00. Councilmember Dodson moved for approval of the resolution, and Councilmember Callison seconded. Public Works Director Shira McWaters provided an overview of the resolution and answered questions
Minutes – May 10, 2021 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 3
from Council. The resolution was approved unanimously by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” Resolution No. 5-46-2021 A RESOLUTION WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDS AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO CONTRACT FOR TREE REMOVAL AS REQUIRED IN FISCAL YEAR 2022 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000.00. Councilmember Hope moved for approval of the resolution, and Councilmember Callison seconded. Public Works Director Shira McWaters provided an overview of the resolution and answered questions from Council. The resolution was approved unanimously by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” Resolution No. 5-47-2021 A RESOLUTION WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDS AND MAKING AN AWARD TO WASTE MANAGEMENT FOR DISPOSAL OF BIOSOLIDS AT THE CHESTNUT RIDGE LANDFILL FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $180,000.00. Councilmember Hope moved for approval of the resolution, and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn seconded. Public Works Director Shira McWaters provided an overview of the resolution and answered questions from Council. The resolution was approved unanimously by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” Resolution No. 5-48-2021 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION TO THE AGREEMENT WITH AID TO DISTRESSED FAMILIES OF APPALACHIAN COUNTIES, INC., FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY’S SOCIAL SERVICES POLICY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 IN THE AMOUNT OF $169,305.00. Councilmember Hope moved for approval of the resolution, and Councilmember Smith seconded. Finance Director Janice McGinnis provided an overview of the resolution and answered questions from Council. The resolution was approved unanimously by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” Resolution No. 5-49-2021 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FIRST TWO-YEAR RENEWAL OPTION FOR THE ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT’S TREE TRIMMING CONTRACT (FY2020-002) IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,408,571.94, AND AMENDING THE CONTRACT TO TRANSFER THE CONTRACT FROM SEELBACH AND COMPANY, LLC, INTO THE NAME OF THEIR PARENT COMPANY W.A. KENDALL AND COMPANY, LLC, LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA. Councilmember Hope moved for approval of the resolution, and Councilmember Dodson seconded. Interim Electric Director Ardo Ba provided an overview of the resolution and answered questions from Council. The resolution was approved unanimously by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.”
Minutes – May 10, 2021 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 4
PUBLIC HEARING AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 4-2020, WHICH ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR A BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR WHICH BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2020 BY ADOPTING A BUDGET AND ADOPTING APPROPRIATIONS BY AMENDING SAID APPROPRIATIONS. Mayor Pro Tem Chin moved for approval of the ordinance, and Councilmember Hope seconded. Councilmember Dodson moved to open the public hearing, and Councilmember Callison seconded. The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote. Seeing no citizen who wished to address Council on this item, Councilmember Hammond moved to close the public hearing, and Councilmember Callison seconded. The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote. The ordinance was approved unanimously by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 17-98 (AS AMENDED), SECTION 1, TO INCREASE THE MONTHLY RESIDENTIAL REFUSE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION FEE FROM $14.00 TO $15.20. Mayor Pro Tem Chinn moved for approval of the ordinance, and Councilmember Callison seconded. City Manager Mark Watson provided an overview of the ordinance and answered questions from Council. The ordinance was approved unanimously by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES Ordinance No. 6-2021 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 2, TITLED “THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE,” BY AMENDING THE ZONING MAP WHICH IS MADE A PART OF THE ORDINANCE BY CHANGING THE ZONING DISTRICT OF ANDERSON COUNTY TAX MAP 104N, GROUP A, PARCEL 002.00, CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 30.98 ACRES, FROM R-2, LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL, TO RG-1, RESIDENTIAL, OPEN SPACE, AND RESERVED. Councilmember Dodson moved for adoption of the ordinance, and Councilmember Smith seconded. Community Development Director Wayne Blasius provided an overview of the ordinance. Taylor Brelsford, 219 Hermitage Boulevard, Oak Ridge, spoke in opposition to the ordinance. Sarah Pennington, 203 Scenic Drive, Oak Ridge, owner of the property, spoke in favor of the ordinance. David and Jennifer Beiser, 132 Newport Drive, Oak Ridge, spoke in favor of the ordinance. Kenneth Apple, 1024 Agora Way, Knoxville, Tennessee, the architect for the project, spoke in favor of the ordinance. Chuck Dawn, 106 Audubon Road, Oak Ridge, spoke in favor of the ordinance. Terri Newman, mother of the property owner, spoke in favor of the ordinance. Sarah Smith, 432 Oak Circle, spoke in favor of the ordinance.
Minutes – May 10, 2021 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 5
The ordinance was adopted unanimously by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” AN ORDINANCE ABANDONING THE PLATTED RIGHT-OF-WAY LOCATED ADJACENT TO PARCEL 008M B 026.01, ALSO KNOWN AS 1144 W. OUTER DRIVE.
Mayor Gooch moved for approval of the ordinance, and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn seconded. Community Development Director Wayne Blasius provided an overview of the ordinance and answered questions from Council.
Lida Whitaker-Sheppard, 1144 W. Outer Drive, Oak Ridge, addressed Council in support of her request to abandon the right-of-way.
Robert Marascia, 1142 W. Outer Drive, Oak Ridge, spoke in opposition to the ordinance.
The ordinance was not approved by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “No.”
RESOLUTIONS Resolution No. 5-50-2021 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONTRACT (FY2022-001) WITH WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TENNESSEE, INC., KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, TO PROVIDE CURBSIDE SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING PICK-UP SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,357,922.84. Mayor Pro Tem Chinn moved for approval of the resolution, and Councilmember Dodson seconded. Public Works Director Shira McWaters provided an overview of the resolution and answered questions from Council. Doug McGill with Waste Connections also answered questions from Council. The resolution was approved by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye,” and Councilmember Hope voting “No.” On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Chinn, seconded by Councilmember Hope and passed unanimously by voice vote, the following item was deferred until the May 18, 2021 special meeting: A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF THREE (3) SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (DRONES) AND ASSOCIATED TRAINING FROM ROCKY MOUNTAIN UNMANNED SYSTEMS, LLC, CENTERVILLE, UTAH, FOR JOINT USE BY THE OAK RIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OAK RIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $56,624.00. Resolution No. 5-51-2021 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF $71,149.50 FOR THE PURCHASE OF SECURITY CAMERAS FROM MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC., KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE UTILIZING STATE CONTRACT PRICING. Mayor Pro Tem Chinn moved to approve the resolution, and Councilmember Smith seconded. The resolution was approved unanimously by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” Resolution No. 5-52-2021 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO AMEND CONTRACT FY2014-23 WITH THE EAST TENNESSEE HUMAN RESOURCE AGENDAY, INC., (ETHRA) TO EXTEND THE EXPIRATION TERM TO DECEMBER 31, 2021, AND TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM COMPENSATION FROM $213,125.00 TO $252,550.00.
Minutes – May 10, 2021 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 6
Councilmember Dodson moved to approve the resolution, and Councilmember Callison seconded. Finance Director Janice McGinnis provided and overview of the ordinance and answered questions from Council. The resolution was approved unanimously by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” Resolution No. 5-53-2021 A RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT (FY2021-115) TO DIXIE ROOFING, INC., POWELL, TENNESSEE, FOR ROOF REPLACEMENT OF SECTION 2 OF THE MARINA BUILDING IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $74,197.00. Councilmember Hope moved to approve the resolution, and Councilmember Callison seconded. The resolution was approved unanimously by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” Resolution No. 5-54-2021 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH GOODWYN MILLS CAWOOD, LLC, (GMC), FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE, FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES TO PROVIDE A PRELIMINARY DESIGN FOR THE PROPOSED OAK RIDGE GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,272,841.00. Councilmember Dodson moved for approval of the resolution, and Councilmember Smith seconded. City Manager Mark Watson provided an overview of the resolution and answered questions from Council. The resolution was approved unanimously by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” APPEARANCE OF CITIZENS
(NONE) ELECTIONS/APPOINTMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SCHEDULING Elections/Appointments Appointment of Council Representative to the Youth Advisory Board Screening Panel Mayor Gooch moved to appoint Councilmember Jim Dodson to the Youth Advisory Board Screening Panel. Mayor Pro Tem Rick Chinn seconded, and the motion was approved unanimously by voice vote. Announcements Scheduling COUNCIL REQUESTS FOR NEW BUSINESS ITEMS OR FUTURE BRIEFINGS SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS
Minutes – May 10, 2021 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING Page 7
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT City Manager Mark Watson informed Council that there would be a special meeting prior to the work session on May 18, 2021. He also asked Finance Director Janice McGinnis to announce the results of the bond sale. Mayor Gooch stated that at this time, the City has stabilized the high school debt. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT (NONE) ADJOURNMENT: 9:52 p.m.
OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Municipal Building Courtroom
May 18, 2021
6:00 p.m.
Minutes
The special meeting of the City Council of the City of Oak Ridge, Tennessee convened at 6:00 p.m. on May 18, 2021 in the Municipal Building Courtroom with Mayor Warren Gooch presiding. ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following councilmembers were present: Councilmember Kelly Callison; Mayor Pro Tem Rick Chinn, Jr.; Councilmember James Dodson; Mayor Warren L. Gooch; Councilmember Derrick Hammond; Councilmember Charles J. Hope, Jr.; and Councilmember Ellen D. Smith.
Also present were Mark S. Watson, City Manager; Tammy Dunn, City Attorney; and Mary Beth Hickman, City Clerk.
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
Ordinance No. 7-2021 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 4-2020, WHICH ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR A BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR WHICH BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2020 BY ADOPTING A BUDGET AND ADOPTING APPROPRIATIONS, BY AMENDING SAID APPROPRIATIONS. Mayor Pro Tem Chinn moved for adoption of the ordinance, and Councilmember Hope seconded. City Manager Mark Watson provided an overview of the ordinance and answered questions from Council. The ordinance was approved unanimously by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” Ordinance No. 8-2021 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 17-98 (AS AMENDED), SECTION 1, TO INCREASE THE MONTHLY RESIDENTIAL REFULSE AND RECYCLING COLLCTION FEE FROM $14.00 TO $15.20. Mayor Pro Tem Chinn moved for adoption of the ordinance, and Councilmember Hammond seconded. Public Works Director Shira McWaters provided an overview of the ordinance and answered questions from Council. The ordinance was adopted by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye,” and Councilmember Hope voting “No.” Resolution No. 5-55-2021 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF THREE (3) SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (DRONES) AND ASSOCIATED TRAINING FROM ROCKY MOUNTAIN UNMANNED SYSTEMS, LLC, CENTERVILLE, UTAH, FOR JOINT USE BY THE OAK RIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OAK RIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $56,624.00. Councilmember Dodson moved for approval of the resolution, and Councilmember Callison seconded. Police Chief Robin Smith provided an overview of the resolution and answered questions from Council.
Minutes – May 18, 2021 OAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Page 2
Mayor Gooch made a motion to amend the resolution to insert the following language: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City shall adopt one uniform set of policies on the use of drones by any department of the City and said policy must be reviewed and approved by the City Attorney in addition to whatever other federal certification is required before the drones are utilized in any manner. Councilmember Hope seconded, and the amendment was approved unanimously by voice vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” Mayor Gooch made a motion to further amend the resolution to insert the following language: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the cost of any public records request associated with drone use shall be borne by the budget of the department of which the complaint or request was generated. Councilmember Dodson seconded, and the amendment was approved unanimously by voice vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” The resolution was approved unanimously as amended by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch, and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” Resolution No. 5-56-2021 A RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT (FY2021-087) TO AAR OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC., KERNERSVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE GLENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ROOF IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $526,995.00. Councilmember Dodson moved to approve the resolution, and Councilmember Hope seconded. City Engineer Roger Flynn provided an overview of the resolution and answered questions from Council. The resolution was approved unanimously by board vote with Councilmember Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” Resolution No. 5-57-2021 A RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT (FY2021-088) TO JDH COMPANY, INC., CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE OAK RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL SCA BUILDING, AA BUILDING, AND LOWER PERFORMING ARTS BUILDING ROOFS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,003,640.00. Councilmember Callison moved for approval of the resolution, and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn seconded. City Engineer Roger Flynn provided an overview of the resolution, and answered questions from Council. The resolution was approved unanimously by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” Resolution No. 5-58-2021 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A SETTLEMENT IN THE TENNESSEE RIVERKEEPER, INC. V. CITY OF OAK RIDGE LAWSUIT. Councilmember Dodson moved for approval of the resolution, and Councilmember Smith seconded. City Attorney Tammy Dunn provided an overview of the resolution and answered questions from Council. The resolution was approved unanimously by board vote with Councilmembers Callison, Dodson, Hammond, Hope, Smith, Mayor Gooch and Mayor Pro Tem Chinn voting “Aye.” ADJOURNMENT: 7:14 p.m.
DATE: June 14, 2021
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Mark Watson , City Manager
SUBJECT: Confirmation of Nomination of James Rushton, III to the Oak Ridge UtilityDistrict Board of Commissioners
AGENDA ID: VI.cOAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
IntroductionThe attached communication from the Oak Ridge Utility District (ORUD) Board ofCommissioners nominates James E. Rushton, III to succeed himself as a Commissioner of theUtility District and petitions City Council to confirm his nomination. FundingNo funding is associated with this request. BackgroundI met with the ORUD Board of Commissioners on May 26, 2021 and join with them inrecommending the reappointment of Mr. Rushton to fill the five-year term beginning July 1,2021 and ending June 30, 2026. RecommendationConfirmation of Mr. Rushton is recommended. Attachments:James Rushton ORUD Nomination.pdf
DATE: June 14, 2021
TO: Mark S. Watson, City Manager
FROM: Ardo Ba
SUBJECT: Membership and Dues for ETEDA
AGENDA ID: VI.dOAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
IntroductionAn item for City Council's consideration is a resolution approving membership in the EastTennessee Economic Development Agency (ETEDA) and authorizing payment of membershipdues in the amount of $26,116.00. FundingThe City joined ETEDA through its functioning as a TVA Regional Industrial DevelopmentAgency (RIDA). Thus, the funding for the membership is through the Electric Fund and theElectric Director sits on the ETEDA Board. TVA encourages membership on the Board byreimbursing the City for approximately one half of the membership dues. Therefore, the actualcost of membership will be $13,058.00. BackgroundETEDA is a regional marketing and business recruitment organization that promotes our 16county region through a variety of efforts and provides site location information and assistanceto companies interested in locating here. ETEDA is co-located with the Tennessee Valley Authority Economic Development Specialistfor our area. This provides a nearly seamless experience for industrial prospects and isfrequently sighted as a positive model of cooperation and efficiency. The full range of services offered to industrial clients can be found on the ETEDA website, butthese include providing information such as labor and training statistics, utility serviceavailability and cost of transportation information. ETEDA also provides regional real estatelocation information, including a complex, well-maintained database of available propertiesand buildings. Membership in the organization also provides that, as a member of the Board, the ElectricDirector can designate that the local match be used to support specific projects or initiativesby our development partners. RecommendationIt is the opinion of staff that ETEDA has been a real and valuable asset to the City and to ourregion as a whole. As such we recommend approval of the attached resolution. Attachments:Resolution - ETEDA Dues.docx
NUMBER
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO CONTINUE PARTICIPATION IN THE EAST TENNESSEE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, WITH ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,116.00 FOR THE 2021 CALENDAR YEAR
WHEREAS, the City of Oak Ridge recognizes the value of the East Tennessee Economic Development Agency (ETEDA), a regional organization promoting and marketing the business location advantages of the region to national/international corporate decision-makers involved in relocation and expansion for over twenty years; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Oak Ridge is a member of ETEDA and wishes to continue that membership to promote economic development in the region in general and Oak Ridge in particular; and,
WHEREAS, the membership dues for ETEDA for calendar year 2021 are $26,116.00; and
WHEREAS, $13,058.00 of the membership dues will be reimbursed to the City by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) under a separate contract termed the Industrial Development Contract (Contract 01BKY-268931), approved by City Council through Resolution 3-46-01; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager recommends the City's continued participation in ETEDAand payment of the above stated dues.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE:
That the recommendation of the City Manager is approved, and the City is hereby authorized to continue participation in the East Tennessee Economic Development Agency, with annual membership dues in the amount of $26,116.00 for the 2021 calendar year.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and/or City Manager are hereby authorized to execute the appropriate legal instruments to accomplish the same.
This 14th day of June 2021.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Tammy M. Dunn, City Attorney Warren L. Gooch, Mayor
Mary Beth Hickman, City Clerk
DATE: June 14, 2021
TO: Mark S. Watson, City Manager
FROM: Ardo Ba
SUBJECT: Purchase of One Vehicle for the Electric Department
AGENDA ID: VI.eOAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
IntroductionAn item for City Council's consideration is a resolution approving the purchase of one vehiclefor the Electric Department. The vehicle is awarded to a vendor under the State of TennesseeContract in the amount of $38,198.00. FundingFunding is through the Electric Department. BackgroundThe Electric Department uses a variety of vehicles in order to carry out its tasks. We haveobtained excellent pricing in the past by using bids made by the State of Tennessee orpurchasing cooperatives of which we are a member. By using state contracts and purchasing cooperatives, the City has access to equipment thatwas bid at a larger scale than we would be able to do independently and, thus, save ourcitizens resources both in the bidding process and the purchase price. The proposed vehicle to be purchased is a Ford Explorer XLT AWD which will be assigned tothe Electric Director. The vehicle previously assigned to this position was transferred to theDeputy City Manager. RecommendationStaff recommends approval of the attached resolution. Attachments:Resolution - Ford Explorer.docx
NUMBER
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF $38,198.00 FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) VEHICLE FOR THE ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT UTILIZING STATE CONTRACT PRICING.
WHEREAS, the vehicle previously assigned to the Electric Department Director has beentransferred to the Deputy City Manager; and,
WHEREAS, the Electric Department desires to purchase a replacement vehicle for use by the Director and, based upon department needs, has elected to purchase a Ford Explorer XLT AWD; and,
WHEREAS, the state contract price for one (1) Ford Explorer XLT AWD vehicle is $38,198.00; and,
WHEREAS, the City Manager recommends approval to spend up to $38,198.00 for the purchase of one (1) vehicle for the Electric Department using state contract pricing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE:
That the recommendation of the City Manager is approved, and the City is hereby authorized to spend $38,198.00 for the purchase of one (1) Ford Explorer XLT AWD for theElectric Department Director using state contract pricing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and/or City Manager are hereby authorized to execute the appropriate legal instruments to accomplish the same.
This 14th day of June 2021.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Tammy M. Dunn, City Attorney Warren L. Gooch, Mayor
Mary Beth Hickman, City Clerk
DATE: June 14, 2021
TO: Mark S. Watson, City Manager
FROM: Travis Solomon
SUBJECT: Tennessee Emergency Management Agency/Military Department Grant
AGENDA ID: VI.fOAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
Introduction
An item for City Council’s consideration and an accompanying resolution authorizing the Cityto apply for, and accept if awarded, a Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) /Military Department grant in the amount of $ 16,000.00 for the Oak Ridge Fire Department.
FundingThis grant requires no matching funds. Background
Each year the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency administrates a local grantprogram for the Tennessee Department of Military to provide equipment to agencies, whichsupport Department of Energy emergency response. The grant is for $16,000.00 and all itemspurchased must be approved by TEMA before the purchases can be made. Oak Ridge FireDepartment has been using this grant for several years to support our hazardous materialsemergency response capabilities.
Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the attached resolution to allow a grant request to be sent to theTennessee Emergency Management Agency – Military Department Grant program forconsideration.
Attachments:Resolution - TEMA Grant.docx
NUMBER
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO APPLY FOR A GRANT FROM THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY, TENNESSEE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (TEMA), IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,000.00 WITH NO LOCAL MATCH REQUIRED FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND TO ACCEPT THE GRANT SHOULD IT BE AWARDED.
WHEREAS, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) administers a local grant program for the Tennessee Department of Military to provide equipment to agencies which support the United States Department of Energy emergency response; and,
WHEREAS, the City is eligible to receive $16,000.00 in grant funds from TEMA and has been a recipient of this grant for several years to support the City's hazardous materials emergency response capabilities; and,
WHEREAS, said grant requires no local matching funds; and,
WHEREAS, the City Manager recommends the City submit the grant application to TEMA to be used for authorized purchases under the grant.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE:
That the recommendation of the City Manager is approved, and the City is hereby authorized to apply for, and accept if awarded, a grant from the State of Tennessee, Department of Military, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), in the amount of $16,000.00 to be used by the Fire Department for grant-authorized purchases.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and/or City Manager are hereby authorized to execute the appropriate legal instruments to accomplish the same.
This 14th day of June 2021.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Tammy M. Dunn, City Attorney Warren L. Gooch, Mayor
Mary Beth Hickman, City Clerk
DATE: June 14, 2021
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Mark Watson , City Manager
SUBJECT: Designation of Personnel Director as City's Equal Employment Opportunity(EEO) Coordinator
AGENDA ID: VI.gOAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
IntroductionAn item for the agenda is a resolution to designate the Personnel Director as the City's EqualEmployment Opportunity (EEO) Coordinator. FundingNo funding is required for this item. BackgroundThe Personnel Director serves as the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Coordinator forthe City. By Resolution 5-37-2020, the former Personnel Director was named as the EEOCoordinator. Rather than designate a person by name, it is best to designate the EEOCoordinator by job title so that approval of a resolution is not required any time the PersonnelDirector's employment ceases. The attached resolution rescinds Resolution 5-37-2020 andestablishes the Personnel Director as the City's EEO Coordinator. RecommendationApproval of the attached resolution is recommended. Attachments:Resolution - EEO Coordinator Designation.docx
NUMBER
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION TO RESCIND RESOLUTION 5-37-2020 AND TO DESIGNATE THE PERSONNEL DIRECTOR AS THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) COORDINATOR FOR THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE.
WHEREAS, an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Coordinator is responsible for implementing and overseeing EEO programs and ensuring the City’s compliance with EEO requirements; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Personnel Director serves as the City’s EEO Coordinator; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 5-37-2020 designated Ross King, former Personnel Director, as the City’s EEO Coordinator; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager recommends rescinding Resolution 5-37-2020 and designating the position of Personnel Director as the City’s EEO Coordinator.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE:
That the recommendation of the City Manager is approved and the Personnel Director is hereby designated as the City’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Coordinator.
This the 14th day of June 2021.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Tammy M. Dunn, City Attorney Warren L. Gooch, Mayor
Mary Beth Hickman, City Clerk
DATE: June 14, 2021
TO: Mark S. Watson, City Manager
FROM: Shira McWaters , Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Knox Blount Cleaning Contract Extension
AGENDA ID: VI.hOAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
IntroductionA variety of city staff has requested that public works evaluate the hiring of janitorial staff toprovide full-time cleaning of the various municipal buildings. In order to adequately evaluatethis request, the Public Works Department, respectfully requests extending the existingcleaning contract with Knox Blount Maintenance for another six (6) months, through December2021. Since this contract is up for bid again, and we are requesting to extend it for another six(6) months, in the not to exceed amount of $120,000. FundingFunding will be from the Waterworks Fund and Capital Fund. BackgroundAfter consulting with numerous staff, it has been requested that the Public Works Department(PWD) evaluate the number of personnel needed and equipment needed to provide full-timecleaning services to all municipal buildings. At the present time we envision all work would beunder a new Facility Manager position that would provide direction to a Janitorial Foreman andup to four (4) grade I-II janitors. The Facility Manager position would also be responsible forthe existing facility staff. In order to fulfill this request, the PWD needs time to evaluate, approve - if needed, and hire. If determined, the maintaining cleaning services via a contract is a better option, than a newcontract will be bid, and taken to city council for approval. RecommendationCity Staff recommends City Council approve this extension so hiring a full time cleaning crewand associated costs can be evaluated sufficiently. Attachments:Resolution_-_Janitorial_Amendment.docx
NUMBER
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION TO AMEND CONTRACT FY2016-001 WITH KNOX BLOUNT MAINTENANCE, INC., KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, FOR JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR CITY FACILITIES TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2021, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $153,000.00.
WHEREAS, by Resolution 5-47-2015, City Council approved a contract (FY2016-001) with Knox Blount Maintenance, Inc., Knoxville, Tennessee, for janitorial services for certain City facilities in the estimated amount of $214,935.09 for Fiscal Year 2016; and,
WHEREAS, said contract had four (4) built-in renewal options with available price adjustments based upon the April Consumer Price Index (CPI), and the parties exercised all available renewal options; and,
WHEREAS, by Resolution 4-34-2020, City Council approved an additional extension of this contract for Fiscal Year 2021 due to COVID-19; and,
WHEREAS, based on historical data, this extension should not exceed $153,000.00; and,
WHEREAS, the City now desires to hire janitorial staff and provide such cleaning services in-house and needs additional time to evaluate the City’s needs and hire such staff; and,
WHEREAS, the City Manager recommends the amendment of the existing contract to extend it for six months, until December 31, 2021.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE:
That the recommendation of the City Manager is approved, the City is hereby authorized to amend contract FY2016-001 between the City and Knox Blount Maintenance, Inc., Knoxville, Tennessee, for six addition months, to expire December 31, 2021; said extension is not to exceed $153,000.00.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and/or City Manager are hereby authorized to execute the appropriate legal instruments to accomplish the same.
This 14th day of June 2021.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Tammy M. Dunn, City Attorney Warren L. Gooch, Mayor
Mary Beth Hickman, City Clerk
DATE: June 14, 2021
TO: Mark S. Watson, City Manager
FROM: Janice McGinnis , Finance Director
SUBJECT: JD Edwards Software Annual Maintenance
AGENDA ID: VI.iOAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
IntroductionAn item for City Council’s consideration is a renewal of the annual maintenance agreementwith Oracle America, Inc. in the amount of $31,570.48 for the JD Edwards financial softwaresystem utilized by the City. Oracle purchased the JD Edwards software systems in 2005. FundingFunding is provided through the Equipment Replacement Rental Fund from user charges fromthe City Funds that utilize the software. BackgroundThe City purchased the JD Edwards software package in 1986. The software’s last majorupdate was in 1999. Systems maintained on JD Edwards include general ledger, accountspayable, purchasing, work order, and warehousing/inventory. RecommendationThe maintenance agreement provides ongoing technical support of the system. The City hasselected software to replace the JD Edwards software package. Technical support is neededto maintain and support existing functions, modifications, and external interfaces with JDEdwards as well provide technical support as the City migrates through the softwareconversion process. The Information Services Department concurs with the recommendedcontinuation of the annual maintenance agreement. Attachments:Resolution - JD Edward.docx
NUMBER
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDS AND MAKING AN AWARD TO ORACLE AMERICA, INC., FOR FURNISHING OF ANNUAL MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR THE FINANCIAL SOFTWARE SYSTEM UTILIZED BY THE CITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 IN THE AMOUNT OF $31,570.48.
WHEREAS, the City of Oak Ridge has need for certain routine materials, equipment, and services during Fiscal Year 2022 (July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022) that do not lend themselves to the normal competitive bidding procedure; and,
WHEREAS, the City purchased its financial software system, formerly known as JD Edwards, in 1986; and,
WHEREAS, Oracle America, Inc., purchased JD Edwards software systems in 2005; and,
WHEREAS, the financial software system includes general ledger, accounts payable, purchasing, work order, and warehousing inventory; and,
WHEREAS, technical support is needed to maintain and support existing functions, modifications, and external interfaces with the financial software system, as well as provide technical support as the City migrates through the software conversion process; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager recommends that competitive bids be waived and award be made to Oracle America, Inc.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE:
That the recommendation of the City Manager that competitive bids be waived is approved and an award is hereby made to Oracle America, Inc., for the furnishing of annual maintenance services to the City's financial software system for FY2022 (July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022), in the amount of $31,570.48.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and/or City Manager are hereby authorized to execute the appropriate legal instruments to accomplish the same.
This 14th day of June 2021.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Tammy M. Dunn, City Attorney Warren L. Gooch, Mayor
Mary Beth Hickman, City Clerk
DATE: June 14, 2021
TO: Mark S. Watson, City Manager
FROM: Lyn Majeski , Finance Purchasing Manager
SUBJECT: Best Provider Commodity Requirements for Fiscal Year 2022
AGENDA ID: VI.jOAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
Introduction
An item for City Council’s consideration is a recommendation for authorizing the approval ofthe City’s fuel requirements in the total estimated amount of $361,000.
Funding
Funds are budgeted in FY2022.
Background
The following item is warehouse stock. The provider is determined to be the best source of theproducts based on the provider’s expertise, service record or contractual agreement. It isrecommended that competitive bids be waived and award made to this Best Provider basedupon written quotations and agreements with the perspective supplier. The followinginformation is provided to further explain the evaluation and recommendation process.
UNLEADED AND DIESEL FUEL
Fuel located at the Central Service Complex and at Heritage Center is considered warehousestock. The City of Oak Ridge has had an excellent long-term relationship with the vendor,Mansfield Oil Company. The City continues to receive the lowest rack price available fromMansfield. The pricing structure the City receives from Mansfield is no longer available withnew contracts. Mansfield continues to honor our pricing due to our long-term relationship withthem. As in the past, this pricing is less than the current State Contract pricing. Maintainingthis relationship has been very beneficial to the City through the years and has insured fuel tobe available for our fleet even during fuel shortages, as was the not the case for other areaentities during the 2008 fuel shortage. A contract customer receives priority treatment versus aspot customer. Mansfield has many options to provide fuel, not just one provider, their networkincludes access to most major refiners, terminals and transportation companies. Mansfieldhas a large network of haulers which enables them more availability to get us a haul when weneed it. During extreme working conditions, i.e. running trucks continuously after a bad storm,fuel has always been available for our fleet. This vendor saves staff hours each month bymonitoring and shipping fuel as needed. City fuel costs have historically fluctuated on anannual basis, as demonstrated by the table on the following page. Estimated fuel cost forFY2021 is a decrease of 2.8% from FY2020. Due to yearly fluctuations, staff has averaged thepast six fiscal years for FY2022 projected cost for this commodity. The total estimated amount
is $361,000.
YEAR GALLONS AMOUNT DOLLARCHANGE
FY15 224,888 $457,606 -31.3 %FY16 214,932 $308,485 -32.6 %FY17 215,479 $325,951 +9.5 %FY18 210,436 $382,944 +17.5 %FY19 211,078 $400,862 +4.7%FY20 195.008 $289,893 -27.7%Est. FY21 205,314 $281,838 -2.8% RecommendationStaff recommends approval of the attached resolution as submitted. As the recommendationis that competitive bids be waived, council is reminded that a unanimous vote is required forapproval of this resolution. Attachments:Resolution - Mansfield Gas.docx
NUMBER
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION WAIVING COMPETITIVE AND MAKING AN AWARD TO MANSFIELD OIL COMPANY FOR THE FURNISHING UNLEADED AND DIESEL FUEL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 IN THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $361,000.00.
WHEREAS, the City of Oak Ridge has a need for certain routine materials, equipment, and services during Fiscal Year 2022 (July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022) that do not lend themselves to the normal competitive bidding procedure; and,
WHEREAS, the City has a long-term relationship with Mansfield Oil Company for furnishing unleaded and diesel fuel and continues to receive the lowest rack price available which is less than current state contract pricing; and,
WHEREAS, maintaining this relationship has been beneficial to the City, especially duringthe past fuel shortages when the City’s fuel supply was never low; and,
WHEREAS, due to yearly fluctuations, staff has averaged the last six years of fuel costs to project the cost for this commodity for FY2022 and, for that reason, the amount is listed as estimated; and,
WHEREAS, the City Manager recommends that competitive bids be waived, and an award be made to Mansfield Oil Company for furnishing unleaded and diesel fuel.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE:
That the recommendation of the City Manager that competitive bids be waived is approved and an award is hereby made to Mansfield Oil Company for the furnishing of unleaded and diesel fuel for FY2022 (July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022) in the estimated amount of $361,000.00.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and/or City Manager are hereby authorized to execute the appropriate legal instruments to accomplish the same.
This 14th day of June 2021.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Tammy M. Dunn, City Attorney Warren L. Gooch, Mayor
Mary Beth Hickman, City Clerk
DATE: June 14, 2021
TO: Mark S. Watson, City Manager
FROM: Janice McGinnis , Finance Director
SUBJECT: Tax Equivalents from Electric and Waterworks Funds
AGENDA ID: VI.kOAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
Introduction An item for City Council’s consideration is a resolution that authorizes tax equivalent paymentsfrom the Electric Fund to the General Fund and to Anderson and Roane Counties and a taxequivalent payment from the Waterworks Fund to the General Fund. Funding Funding is budgeted and will be provided by the Electric and Waterworks Fund. Background Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) authorizes and establishes guidelines for municipaloperated utility systems to pay tax equivalent payments to the General Fund of themunicipality. Basically, this is an in-lieu of property tax payment paid by the City’s utilitysystems. This is comparable to the property taxes that a private business that provided asimilar service would be required to pay the City.
The City Electric Fund’s tax equivalent payment is calculated utilizing guidelines set forth inSections 7-52-301 and 7-52-307 of the TCA and Section 2 – Terms and Conditions, Revision1987, of the TVA contract. The tax equivalent is calculated utilizing the net asset value of theElectric System’s physical plant (i.e. electric lines, land, traffic signals, street lights, vehiclesand substations) on a cost basis and a three-year average of the system’s operatingrevenues, excluding purchased power. The net asset value of the system’s property is$52,495,708 in the Anderson County portion of the City and $8,354,474 in the Roane Countyportion of the City. Based on the calculations specified in Section 2 of the TVA contract, thetax equivalent payment from the Electric Fund for fiscal 2021 is $2,188,858.32.
State law requires City Council to annually approve the amount of the Electric Fund’s taxequivalent payments and to allocate 77.5% of the total tax equivalent to the City’s GeneralFund, with the remaining 22.5% allocated to the county taxing jurisdictions. Computations inaccordance with these formulas result in the following total Electric Fund tax equivalentpayments of $2,188,858.32 comprised as follows: Oak Ridge General Fund (77.5%) $1,696,365.20 Portion to Counties (22.5%) Anderson County 424,875.89 Roane County 67,617.23
The Waterworks Fund disburses tax equivalent payments to the City’s General Fund underauthorization of TCA 7-34-115. The code provides for a maximum tax equivalent payment tothe General Fund not to exceed the amount of taxes payable on privately owned property of asimilar nature. The tax equivalent payment can be established at any level below thatmaximum amount. There is no provision for the Waterworks Fund’s tax equivalent payment tobe shared with the counties. Tennessee code does require City Council to annually approvethe Waterworks Fund tax equivalent payment. This calculation is based on the net book valueof waterworks fixed assets at the public utility assessment ratio of 55%, which equates to theassessed value, at the City’s equalized property tax rate per $100 of assessed value. Theamount of the tax equivalent payment will fluctuate each year based on the value of newassets added versus depreciation and changes in the appraisal ratio. The amount of taxequivalent on the waterworks system comparable to that of a private enterprise for fiscal 2021is $1,420,668.17. TCA 7-34-115 also provides for an equity investment charge payable to the General Fundfrom the waterworks system at a 6% per annum rate. The General Fund’s initial investment inthe Waterworks system at the 6% rate equates to an annual payment of $250,445.25. The Waterworks Fund’s payment to the General Fund would be $1,671,113.42, which is thetotal of these two charges. Recommendation Adoption of the attached resolution is recommended reflecting the tax equivalent payment asprovided for under State law. Attachments:Resolution - Tax Equivalents.docx
NUMBER
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF TAX EQUIVALENTS FROM THE ELECTRIC AND WATERWORKS FUNDS TO THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2021, AND TO AUTHORIZE DISTRIBUTION OF THE ELECTRIC FUNDS BETWEEN THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE AND ANDERSON AND ROANE COUNTIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW.
WHEREAS, Chapter 237 of the Public Acts of 1969 (Tennessee Code Annotated §7-52-301, §7-52-307, and §7-34-115) provides for the transfer of tax equivalents from the Electric Fund and the Waterworks Fund to the General Fund of the owning municipality; and
WHEREAS, said law further provides that the governing body of the municipality shall determine the amounts to be transferred for each fiscal year to the municipality’s General Fund, not to exceed specified limits; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Oak Ridge now desires to establish such payment for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, and accordingly authorize its distribution between the City and Anderson and Roane Counties in accordance with State law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE:
That the City of Oak Ridge, Tennessee pay from its Electric Fund and its Waterworks Fund to the General Fund and that the Electric Funds then be distributed to the respective taxing jurisdictions, inaccordance with Chapter 237 of the Public Acts of 1969, in the estimated amounts shown below:
Electric FundCity of Oak Ridge $1,696,365.20Anderson County 424,875.89Roane County 67,617.23
Waterworks FundCity of Oak Ridge $1,671,113.42
This the 14th day of June 2021.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Tammy M. Dunn, City Attorney Warren L. Gooch, Mayor
Mary Beth Hickman, City Clerk
DATE: June 14, 2021
TO: Mark S. Watson, City Manager
FROM: Matthew Widner , Community Development
SUBJECT: Community Development Block Grant 2nd Annual Action Plan PY21/FY22 PublicHearing and Resolution
AGENDA ID: VII.aOAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
SUPPORTING DEPARTMENT: -None- Introduction
An item for City Council's consideration is a resolution authorizing the approval of the Annual Action Plan(AAP) for PY21/FY22 which is the second of the three year Consolidated Plan 2020-2022.
Funding
The City of Oak Ridge receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement fundsannually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The proposed AAPFY21/PY22 budget proposes $241,776.00 to be utilized for activities approved in the currentConsolidated Plan. Any available prior year’s funding carryover amount will be added to this annualaction allocation.
Background
The proposed 2nd Annual Action Plan for PY21/FY22 is attached. The full document is available forreview in the City Council mailroom. Copies have also been available on the City of Oak RidgeCommunity Development webpage, in the City Clerk’s Office, the Oak Ridge Public Library and theScarboro Center. The City held three Needs Assessment public meetings for the proposed AnnualAction Plan PY21/FY22. To maximize social distancing and COVID19 prevention, meetings were held inthe City of Oak Ridge Municipal Building Court Room. The first and second Needs Assessmentmeetings were held on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 1:00-2:30 pm and then again at 5:00-6:00 pm; thethird was held on Friday, April 30, 2021 at 4:30-6:00 pm. All of which were prior to the 30-day commentperiod which began on Thursday, May 6, 2021 which ended on Friday, June 4, 2021. There was anadditional public meeting held on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 1:00-2:30 pm in the City of Oak RidgePublic Library. The final public hearing for the AAP will be held on Monday, June 14, 2021 prior toCouncil adoption the 2nd AAP FY20/PY21 of the PY20-22 Consolidated Plan. The Annual Action Plan isthe document that implements policies established in the three-year Consolidated Plan PY's 2020-2022.Any significant changes to the current Consolidated Plan will require a formal amendment and approvalby H.U.D. The following City of Oak Ridge projects are recommended for funding during the AAPPY21/FY22: Total PROPOSED CDBG Funding = $241,776.00 as allocated. City of Oak RidgePrograms: Acquisition/Removal of Vacant Blighted Housing $15,000.00 Renovation of MDO Homes$78,000.00 Neighborhood Improvement Projects $50,000.00 Infrastructure Projects Access/Connectivity$75,000.00 Elder/Disabled Abuse; Support/Social Services $15,000.00 Grant Administration $8,776.00.
Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the 2nd Annual Action Plan (PY21/FY22) of the Consolidated Plan(PY20/PY23) and submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for theCommunity Development Block Grant funding.
Attachments:Annual Action Plan PY21-FY22_v1 Proposed.pdf Resolution - CDBG Annual Action Plan.docx
CITY OF OAK RIDGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
PROPOSED 2st ANNUAL ACTION PLAN OF THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN
For THE PERIOD OF:
JULY 1, 2021 – JUNE 30, 2022
Warren L. Gooch, Mayor Rick Chinn, Mayor Pro-Tem
Kelly Callison Jim Dodson
Derrick Hammond Chuck Hope Ellen Smith
Dr. Mark S. Watson, City Manager
CDBG Committee, Staff
Matt Widner, Community Development Valerie Emery, Community Development
Tammy Dunn, City Attorney Wayne Blasius, Community Development
www.oakridgetn.gov
Table of Contents
Annual Action Plan PY21 / FY22
Annual Action Plan
Set Up AD-26 Administration…………………………………………………………………………………………… 1 AD-50 Verify Grantee/PJ Information in IDIS………………………………………………………… 2 AD-55 Verify Grantee/PJ - Program Contacts……………………………………………………..... 2 Process AP-05 Executive Summary - 24 CFR 91.200(c), 91.220(b)…………………………………..…. 3 PR-05 Lead & Responsible Agencies - 91.200(b)……………………………………………………. 5 AP-10 Consultation - 91.100, 91.200(b), 91.215(l)…………………………………………………. 5 AP-12 Participation - 91.105, 91.200(c)…………………………………………………………………. 7 Annual Action Plan AP-15 Expected Resources - 91.220(c)(1,2)……………………………………………………………. 9
AP-20 Annual Goals and Objectives - 91.220(c)(3)&(e)…………………………………………. 10 AP-35 Projects - 91.220(d)…………………………………………………………………………..…….…. 11 AP-50 Geographic Distribution - 91.220(f)…………………………………………………….…..…. 11 AP-55 Affordable Housing - 91.220(g)……………………………………………….……………..…… 13 AP-60 Public Housing - 91.220(h)……………………………………………….……………………..….. 13 AP-65 Homeless and Other Special Needs Activities - 91.220(i)…………………………….. 14 AP-75 Action Plan Barriers to Affordable Housing - 91.220(j)………………………………… 16 AP-85 Other Actions - 91.220(k)………………………………………………………………………..….. 17 AP-90 Program Specific Requirements - 91.220(l)(1,2,4)…………………………………….…. 19
Appendix A. SF 424 & Certifications B. Public Notices C. Fair Housing D. 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service
Page 1 of 20 Proposed 2nd Annual Action Plan: PY21/FY22_v1 City of Oak Ridge, TN
Annual Action Plan: PY21/FY22 (2 of 3)
SET UP AD-26 Administration
Page 2 of 20 Proposed 2nd Annual Action Plan: PY21/FY22_v1 City of Oak Ridge, TN
AD-50 Verify Grantee/PJ Information in IDIS
AD-55 Verify Grantee/PJ - Program Contacts
Page 3 of 20 Proposed 2nd Annual Action Plan: PY21/FY22_v1 City of Oak Ridge, TN
PROCESS
AP-05 Executive Summary - 24 CFR 91.200(c), 91.220(b)
1. Introduction The City of Oak Ridge receives CDBG funding administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The
Consolidated plan is the document that the City of Oak Ridge submits to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a requirement to receive funding for the CDBG program. All CDBG recipients are required to submit a Consolidated Plan every three years to HUD for review. These plans identify community-specific housing and non-housing needs and outline strategies for addressing them. The Consolidated Plan is required to address the following HUD National Objective Categories:
● Activities Benefiting L/M Income Persons ● Prevention/Elimination of Slum or Blight ● Urgent Need
The Consolidated Plan is the City’s guide for implementation of policies and programs that further HUD national objectives for the CDBG program. CDBG funds can be used for a variety of activities to help low to moderate (L/M) income people and neighborhoods such as housing rehabilitation, public facilities, community services, infrastructure, transitional housing, economic development, code enforcement activities, and elimination of blight. This City of Oak Ridge 2nd Annual Action Plan for program year (PY) 2021 / fiscal year (FY) 2022 of the current Consolidated Plan was developed through a public participation process. The City held three needs assessment public meetings, a 30-day public comment period and one public hearing at City Council to receive input from citizens, non-profit agencies, faith-based organizations, and City staff.
2. Summarize the objectives and outcomes identified in the Plan This could be a restatement of items or a table listed elsewhere in the plan or a reference to another location. It may also contain any essential items from the housing and homeless needs assessment, the housing market analysis or the strategic plan.
Through the data collection and public participation processes, the City of Oak Ridge developed priority strategies, objectives, and performance measurements to meet the needs of the homeless, the non-homeless with special needs, and community development initiatives. This 2nd Annual Action Plan using CDBG entitlement funds for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 support the following initiatives:
● Removal of vacant blighted housing ● Neighborhood improvement projects to include “block by block” revitalization efforts in target areas ● Renovation of Manhattan District Overlay (MDO) homes ● Infrastructure projects that provide safety and connectivity within the MDO ● Support Anderson County Family Justice Center Programs in the City of Oak Ridge ● Grant Administration
The investment activities listed above focus on revitalization efforts that improve the overall quality of life for Oak Ridge residents.
3. Evaluation of past performance This is an evaluation of past performance that helped lead the grantee to choose its goals or projects.
The City of Oak Ridge achieved a significant portion of its objectives over the past three years. The City has worked to eliminated blight, helped homeless persons and persons at risk of becoming homeless, assisted in the provision of housing options for persons with special needs, including the elderly, acquired and demolished structures to remove dilapidated housing, provided code enforcement services to address property maintenance issues, improved public facilities, and supported infrastructure improvements that provide safety, accessibility, and connectivity. Acquisition and removal of blighted structures have been somewhat slower the past two years because of the increase in housing investments by the private market.
The City has been generally successful in achieving its goals through community partnerships. Last year, the City of Oak Ridge LAND BANK worked with Trinity Outreach Center of Hope (TORCH) to assist the homeless population through rapid rehousing and prevention efforts by providing low cost land to construct new transitional housing for their homeless clients. The City also continues to partner with ADFAC through their homeless prevention program, which is funded by City general fund.
The City continues to transfer parcels of cleared land to the Oak Ridge Land Bank Corporation (ORLBC) for revitalization purposes. The Oak Ridge Land Bank Corporation was created pursuant to the authority of the Tennessee Local Land Bank Pilot Program set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated §13-30-101 et seq. By such statute, the City of Oak Ridge has authority to create a land bank for real property located with the boundaries of the City. For purposes of this plan, “land bank” means real property, however obtained or acquired and held by the Oak Ridge Land Bank Corporation, with the intent of acquiring and holding on the real
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property so acquired until such time as the corporation is able to find a willing and able buyer to acquire the real property from the corporation and redevelop it in accordance with adopted plans and codes.
Like all other communities, the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2020-2021 has negatively impacted the City’s CDBG projects and activities.
4. Summary of Citizen Participation Process and consultation processSummary from citizen participation section of plan.
The City of Oak Ridge recognizes the importance of citizen participation and includes it as a goal in the CDBG program. Citizens are informed of public hearings, staff meetings, City Council meetings and work sessions, and Fair Housing Month. Information about the CDBG program is also available on the City’s website at: http://www.oakridgetn.gov/department/CommDev/Planning-Division/CDBG-Program.
The Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, (AAP) and Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) are available for download on the City’s website as well. City staff attempts to stay informed about programs funded through other sources, and makes every effort to inform community organizations of this information.
In maximizing social distancing and COVID19 prevention, three (3) public needs assessment meetings were held on April 29, 2021 at 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. and then again at 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. followed by the third public meetings held on April 30, 2021 at 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the City of Oak Ridge Court Room. An online needs assessment survey was also made available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QYCLDZL . The required 30-day public comment period was held on Thursday, May 6, 2021 through Friday, June 4, 2021. The public hearing and adoption of this plan will be held at the City of Oak Ridge City Council Meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 7, 2021.
5. Summary of public comments this could be a brief narrative summary or reference an attached document from theCitizen Participation section of the Con Plan
The City held three public Needs Assessment meetings for the PY21/FY22 Annual Action Plan to receive input from citizens. All of the public meetings were advertised in the Oak Ridger newspaper in accordance with the Citizen Participation Plan prior to each meeting. To maximize social distancing and COVID 19 prevention, the FIRST and SECOND public Needs Assessment meeting was held on Thursday April 29, 2021 at 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. and then again at 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the City of Oak Ridge Municipal Building Court Room. The THIRD public Needs Assessment meeting was held on Friday April 30, 2021 at 4:30-6:00 p.m.-11:30 a.m. at the City of Oak Ridge Municipal Building in the Court Room. The CDBG Online Needs Assessment Survey for the PY21/FY22 Annual Action Plan can be found online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QYCLDZL or you can click the hotlink “2021 CDBG City of Oak Ridge Needs Assessment Survey” on the sidebar section of the Community Development Homepage here: http://www.oakridgetn.gov/department/CommDev/Home . Information from the PY20/FY23 Consolidated Plan surveys can be found online at the above link as well. In summary, the Consolidated Plan survey: citizens rated public facilities and homeless facilities as the community’s greatest need. Re-defined historic districting, creation of an Oak Ridge Downtown with mixed use housing and commercial development, increased code enforcement activities and transportation services were also rated high. Other public facilities ranked medium as a community need. From the survey responses received, citizens emphasized the importance of youth centers, parks & recreation improvements, mental health facilities, and tenant landlord counseling services, as well as handicapped services. The same survey responses rated infrastructure development, flood drainage improvements and crime awareness as low community needs. 30-Day Public Comment Period for the proposed PY21/FY22 Annual Action Plan began on Thursday, May 6, 2021 included a public meeting on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at the Oak Ridge Library and ended on Friday, June 4, 2021. A public hearing for this proposed plan was held on Monday, June 14, 2021 during the regularly scheduled City Council meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Municipal Building (as advertised on Thursday, June 10, 2021).
6. Summary of comments or views not accepted and the reasons for not accepting them.To be added at time of submission to HUD
7. SummaryPreparation of the City of Oak Ridge Annual Action Plan PY21-FY22 is a significant project, requiring the support of
municipal staff, elected officials, and the public at large. Copies of the City of Oak Ridge Consolidated Plan 2020-2023 and the PY2021/FY2022 (2nd) Annual Action Plan were available for review in the City Clerk’s office, in the Community Development Department, and in the Oak Ridge Public Library Both plans are also available online at: http://www.oakridgetn.gov/department/CommDev/Planning-Division/CDBG-Program and City Facebook/Twitter pages. Please contact Matt Widner - [email protected] or 865-425-3584 with any questions about the CDBG program.
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PR-05 Lead & Responsible Agencies - 91.200(b)
1. Describe agency/entity responsible for preparing the Consolidated Plan and those responsible for administration of each grant program andfunding source
Narrative (optional): The City of Oak Ridge is the lead agency and local jurisdiction responsible for overseeing the development of the
Consolidated Plan and the administration of CDBG entitlement funds. A modified City Manager-Council form of government governs the City of Oak Ridge. This governing body consists of a seven-member City Council that elects one of its members as Mayor to serve as the ceremonial head of the City and presiding officer of the City Council. The City Manager and City Attorney are appointed by the City Council.
Consolidated Plan Public Contact Information: Copies of the City of Oak Ridge Consolidated Plan 2020-2022 and the PY2021/FY2022 Annual Action Plan are available for
review in the City Clerk’s office, in the Community Development Department, and in the Oak Ridge Public Library. Both plans are also available online at: http://www.oakridgetn.gov/department/CommDev/Planning-Division/CDBG-Program. Please contact Matt Widner at [email protected] or 865-425-3584 with any questions about either of the plans.
AP-10 Consultation - 91.100, 91.200(b), 91.215(l)
Introduction: The development of the Consolidated Plan and this Annual Action Plan involved consultation with public and private
agencies that provide assisted housing, health services and social services, including providers to children, elderly people, people with disabilities and their families, and homeless people. Some of the agencies are:
● City of Oak Ridge (COR)● Oak Ridge Land Bank (ORLB)● Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce (ORCC)● Tennessee Valley Coalition to End Homelessness (TVCEH)● Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, Inc. (ADFAC)● Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County (HHAC)● Emory Valley Center (EVC)● Ridgeview Psychiatric Hospital and Services, Inc. (RPHS)● East Tennessee Family Services (ETFS)● Oak Ridge Housing Development Corp. (ORHDC)● Oak Ridge Housing Authority (ORHA)● Trinity Outreach Center of Hope (TORCH)● Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Captains● Anderson County Family Justice Center (ACFJC)
The City also consults with an internal housing committee that consists of employees from various departments, including from Community Development, Finance, Public Works and Legal. On occasion, the committee meets with external stakeholders to discuss partnership opportunities that are mutually beneficial.
Provide a concise summary of the jurisdiction's activities to enhance coordination between public and assisted housing providers and private and governmental health, mental health and service agencies (91.215(l)).
The City of Oak Ridge has ongoing relationships with many housing providers working on housing development activities. The city also works with the ORHA to utilize Section 8 vouchers from the federal government to address the housing needs of the city’s lowest income households. Through the Continuum of Care (CoC) processes, the City of Oak Ridge maintains relationships with mental health providers, homeless shelter and services providers, and other state/local government agencies with specific responsibilities for homeless individuals and families. The city also participates in a variety of other groups that seek to address other issues that relate to housing and service needs. The Oak Ridge Land Bank (ORLB) is also the first of its kind in Tennessee. Together,
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the City and ORLB is working to enhance and modify state laws to further support the elimination of blight and reduce rate of deterioration facing our WWII era housing stock.
Describe coordination with the Continuum of Care and efforts to address the needs of homeless persons (particularly chronically homeless individuals and families, families with children, veterans, and unaccompanied youth) and persons at risk of homelessness.
The City is an active member of the Tennessee Valley Coalition to End Homelessness (TVCEH), the lead agency in the regional Continuum of Care (CoC). The City’s Community Development Specialist grant attends monthly CoC meetings and serves on additional sub-committees. Coordination with the CoC is invaluable as it provides the City an opportunity to participate in dialog with numerous organizations that are committed to addressing the needs of the homeless population.
Describe consultation with the Continuum(s) of Care that serves the jurisdiction's area in determining how to allocate ESG funds, develop performance standards for and evaluate outcomes of projects and activities assisted by ESG funds, and develop funding, policies and procedures for the operation and administration of HMIS.
The City partners with TORCH, a member of the Tennessee Valley Coalition to End Homelessness (TVCEH). They have the required Certification of Participation with Continuum of Care, certifying that their application is aligned with the Continuum of Care’s strategies for preventing and ending homelessness and creating housing stability. More information about TORCH is available at: http://www.oakridgetorch.org/our-story/.
TORCH acknowledges that agencies using ESG grant funds to provide services must coordinate with other agencies by entering information into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Among other benefits, the HMIS helps prevent the duplication of services. The TVCEH provides TORCH quarterly monitoring reports for data entered in the HMIS system.
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Identify any Agency Types not consulted and provide rationale for not consulting: The City advertised all public meetings for input and one public hearing during City Council meeting after the required 30-
day public comment period in the local newspapers and on the City’s website to include social media outlets and physical posting throughout the City in public and community businesses. The City also notified the Continuum of Care (CoC) about the planning phase of this Annual Action Plan. All agencies were invited to consult with the City of Oak Ridge. Not all agencies chose to participate by their own accord. This plan was created in an open and transparent manner.
“The TVCOC serves a dual purpose in the arena of homeless service delivery. This dual approach is through a regional planning body that addresses the service delivery system. Our CoC plans, develops and implements collaborative services designed to provide needed care and create systemic change within our region. Members of the Tennessee Valley CoC work together to address the larger picture and identify gaps in the services, unmet needs, and what future services might be required.”
Narrative (optional): The City of Oak Ridge values its partnerships with area nonprofit organizations, the Oak Ridge Public Housing Authority
(ORPHA), the regional Continuum of Care (CoC), state and federal officials, and the public at large. Coordination among the aforementioned entities, in addition to City staff and HUD regional staff, is essential to the community’s ability to provide a variety of much needed services.
AP-12 Participation - 91.105, 91.200(c)
1. Summary of citizen participation process/Efforts made to broaden citizen participation
Summarize citizen participation process and how it impacted goal-setting. The Citizen Participation Plan (CPP) establishes the City of Oak Ridge’s policies and procedures for citizen participation in
the development of the CDBG Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plans, including any subsequent amendment(s) and the CAPER. The CPP provides an opportunity for nonprofit service agencies and the community to work in partnership with the City to identify needs and allocate the CDBG funds. The CPP encourages participation from all citizens.
Preparation of this second-year Annual Action Plan include the involvement of community development staff, an external housing committee hosted by the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, the City Manager and City Council. The City’s CDBG administrator is Matt Widner, Community Development Specialist. The administrator consults with the Chamber Housing Committee, tracks CDBG expenditures and serves as the City’s contact person for the CDBG program.
The staff CDBG Committee is comprised of the City’s CDBG program administrator and representatives from various City departments. This committee serves as an advisory group to the City Manager and City Council on planning, implementation and assessment of CDBG programs/activities through the following tasks:
● Collection of citizen input with respect to neighborhood/community needs● Consultation with potential CDBG sub-recipients during the application process● Consultation with internal housing committee and senior management to discuss community goals● Committee Review of applications and proposed projects● Staff recommendation to the City Manager for City Council’s approval● Review of progress on projects/programs
The CDBG housing committee provides program and funding recommendations to the City Manager for City Council’s review and approval. The City Council is responsible for executing the procedures established in the CPP. The City Council makes the final determination about the priority of various community needs each year when allocating CDBG funds through the approval of the one-year Annual Action Plan.
The City of Oak Ridge staff and elected officials recognize that CDBG entitlement funds are taxpayer money returned to the City to be used primarily to benefit extremely low, low and moderate-income residents. City staff and elected officials are stewards of this public money and will openly discuss all records, except for those confidential records protecting a household’s privacy. The City of Oak Ridge presents the following CPP, in accordance with 24 CFR Parts 91, et.al.
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Citizen Participation Outreach
Tables to be added at time of submission to HUD
Explain how federal funds will leverage those additional resources (private, state and local funds), including a description of how matching requirements will be satisfied:
No federal funds will be leveraged. No matching funds required. However, as evidence of our commitment, the City allocates general funding to augment CDBG projects which include approximately $125,000 annually for blight removal and neighborhood public improvements.
If appropriate, describe publicly owned land or property located within the jurisdiction that may be used to address the needs identified in the plan: As of April, 2021 - 34 properties are held by the City of Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Land Bank, Inc. City Council has established goals and objectives to prioritize the disposition of properties currently held that support the needs identified in this plan as follows:
• Develop programs and partnerships that promote owner occupied housing, new home ownership, and encourage privateinvestment (Disposition: 33 of 36 properties have been returned to the tax rolls primarily as affordable housing units;
• Return property acquisitions to viable tax producing status as soon as practical;• Acquire residential and commercial property through foreclosures, donations, and negotiations in strategic locations that
create a stabilizing impact on adjacent property and residential neighborhoods;• Establish a streamlined procedure that provides tax benefits and incentives for residents and absentee owners to consider
dedicating property to the Oak Ridge Land Bank;• Determine highest and best use of acquired property, which when privatized, will maximize return on investment, and
consideration may also be given for properties to be used for municipal purposes;• Through acquisitions, property management, investments, and property sales, develop a business model that is financially
sustainable and encourages environmental stewardship;• Partner with the City of Oak Ridge, Anderson County, the Oak Ridge Housing Authority, and non-profit organizations to
ensure actions do not duplicate existing efforts or create deterrents to home ownership or environmental codecompliance;
● Additionally, the City works with neighborhoods to find and create Neighborhood Improvement Projects using City andLand Bank owned properties.
Discussion: No further discussion.
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Annual Action Plan
AP-15 Expected Resources - 91.220(c)(1,2)
Introduction: This section provides an overview of the potential resources available for programs that benefit Oak Ridge residents. This
section does not include the CDBG Entitlement funds. The City of Oak Ridge and community non-profits consistently search for
funding sources through grant opportunities, community organizations and other philanthropic groups. Currently there are areas
within the city limits of Oak Ridge that qualify for low-income tax credits which are being utilized by private developers. The City
does not have an activity utilizing low-income tax credits at this time.
Explain how federal funds will leverage those additional resources (private, state and local funds), including a description of how matching requirements will be satisfied:
No federal funds will be leveraged. No matching funds required. No matching funds required. However, as evidence of our commitment, the City allocates general funding to augment CDBG projects which include approximately $125,000 annually for blight removal and neighborhood public improvements.
If appropriate, describe publicly owned land or property located within the jurisdiction that may be used to address the needs identified in the plan:
As of April, 2021 - 34 properties are held by the City of Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Land Bank, Inc. City Council has established goals and objectives to prioritize the disposition of properties currently held that support the needs identified in this plan as follows:
• Develop programs and partnerships that promote owner occupied housing, new home ownership, and encourage privateinvestment (Disposition: 34 of 37 properties have been returned to the tax rolls primarily as affordable housing units;
• Return property acquisitions to viable tax producing status as soon as practical;• Acquire residential and commercial property through foreclosures, donations, and negotiations in strategic locations that
create a stabilizing impact on adjacent property and residential neighborhoods;• Establish a streamlined procedure that provides tax benefits and incentives for residents and absentee owners to consider
dedicating property to the Oak Ridge Land Bank;• Determine highest and best use of acquired property, which when privatized, will maximize return on investment, and
consideration may also be given for properties to be used for municipal purposes;• Through acquisitions, property management, investments, and property sales, develop a business model that is financially
sustainable and encourages environmental stewardship;• Partner with the City of Oak Ridge, Anderson County, the Oak Ridge Housing Authority, and non-profit organizations to
ensure actions do not duplicate existing efforts or create deterrents to home ownership or environmental codecompliance;
● Additionally, the City works with neighborhoods to find and create Neighborhood Improvement Projects using City andLand Bank owned properties.
Discussion: No further discussion
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AP-20 Annual Goals and Objectives - 91.220(c)(3)&(e)
Estimate the number of extremely low-income, low-income, and moderate-income families to whom the jurisdiction will provide affordable housing as defined by HOME 91.215(b).
Estimated yearly goal average of 5 families will benefit.
Sort #
Goal Name Category Geographic Area
Needs Addressed
PY20 Funding Allocation
Goal Outcome Indicator
1 Removal of Vacant Blighted Housing
Affordable Housing Non-Housing Community Development
CDBG Target Areas
Prevention Elimination Slum/Blight
$15,000.00 Improvement, stabilization, and revitalization of neighborhoods in the MDO district
2 Renovation of MDO Homes
Affordable Housing Non-Homeless Special Needs
Manhattan District Overlay
Activities Benefitting L/M Area
$78,000.00 Provide housing renovation assistance to ensure continuity of essential services for L/M persons
3 Neighborhood Improvement Projects
Non-Homeless Special Needs Non-Housing Community Development
Manhattan District Overlay CDBG Target Areas
Activities Benefitting L/M Area
$50,000.00 Provide neighborhood public space, neighborhood street makeover; park and recreation facility improvements
4 Infrastructure Projects Access/Connectivity
Non-Housing Community Development
CDBG Target Areas
Activities Benefitting L/M Area
$75,000.00 Provide infrastructure improvements sidewalks, Public Transportation, Access, etc.
5 Elder/Disabled Abuse Support/ Social Services
Public Housing Homeless Non-Homeless Special Needs
CDBG Target Areas
Activities Benefitting L/M Individuals Urgent Need
$15,000.00 Provide social services to prevent homelessness and assist Family Justice Center/Elder Abuse
6 Grant Administration Other Manhattan District Overlay CDBG Target Areas
Grant Administration
$8,776.00 Provide funding and training for CDBG admin
Allocation for PY21/FY22 AAP = $241,776.00
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AP-35 Projects - 91.220(d)
* Indicates Required Field
* Introduction: The Manhattan District Overlay (MDO) is a historic district built by the Federal Government to house employees and their families during the Manhattan Project. These units were not intended to be permanent residential structures, but as the Project ended, the Federal Government sold all housing units to willing buyers. To date, many of these structures are still occupied and have had few improvements. Because of this, removal of blight continues to be a primary necessity of the City’s CDBG plan. Also continued are projects for Neighborhood Improvement and Infrastructure Access/Connectivity projects. The MDO area includes the following neighborhoods: Highland View, Scarboro, East Village and Woodland.
Describe the reasons for allocation priorities and any obstacles to addressing underserved needs: Due to Oak Ridge's WWII era housing and the legacy neighborhoods design, core housing stock and infrastructure have been deteriorating at the same rate. A significant number of these residential and commercial structures have become blighted and/or vacant which leads to their eventual dilapidation due to neglect. The remaining occupied dwellings have increasingly become rental properties and public assistance housing. The effort to acquire and remove dilapidated housing is vital to neighborhood stabilization that is not otherwise occurring in the open market. Because MDO properties are part of the historic Manhattan Project, mitigating the adverse effect identified by the SHPO 106 process have become very time consuming and cumbersome thus causing excessive delays in the removal of dilapidated housing. Further complicating all project implementation efforts, social distancing requirements of COVID-19 have significantly delayed progress on PY19 and PY20 projects that remain uncompleted as well as social distancing requirements reducing new renovation of MDO home projects. Elder/Disabled abuse cases have increased during 2019-2020 beyond current police department resources which highlights a need to support the new Anderson County Family Justice Center which is anticipated to be located in the City of Oak Ridge (MDO).
AP-50 Geographic Distribution - 91.220(f)
Description of the geographic areas of the entitlement (including areas of low-income and minority concentration) where assistance will be directed.
The City of Oak Ridge is concentrating its revitalization efforts within the Manhattan District Overlay (MDO). The MDO is a historic district where the majority of the structure were originally built by the Federal Government in the early 1940s to house employees and their families during the Manhattan Project. Many of these units were not intended to be permanent residential structures, but as the Project ended, the Federal Government sold all housing units to willing buyers. To date, the majority of these structures are still occupied and many need improvements. The MDO area includes the following neighborhoods: Highland View, Scarboro, East Village and Woodland. This area is in the north eastern part of the city, much of which is along a ridge known as Black Oak Ridge. The borders for this area are Outer Drive and West Outer Drive to the north and much of the housing south to Oak Ridge Turnpike (but not all). The eastern border is East Drive at the eastern city limits. The western border at Outer Drive is Jefferson Avenue. There is also a portion to the west that runs between Robertsville Road and Oak Ridge Turnpike. The southern portion also includes the Woodland Neighborhoods, which is between Lafayette Drive to the east and South Illinois Avenue to North and South Purdue Avenue. Manhattan Avenue bisects this area. The Scarboro Neighborhood lies west of Woodland and is a historically black community.
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Rationale for the priorities for allocating investments geographically
Table: "CDBG Target Areas – Census Block Groups" as listed below, six groups show the Census Block Groups within the City of Oak Ridge in which the median household income is considered Low to Moderate. Block Group 1, CT 201 is irregular shaped with Oak Ridge Turnpike being on the north between Lafayette and W. Vanderbilt Dr to Illinois Ave to Tuskegee Dr to DOE N. Patrol Rd. back to Illinois Ave; Block Group 2 CT is elongated shaped bound by Oak Ridge Turnpike to the North to from W. Vanderbilt Dr. to Anderson County Line south to Tuskegee Dr.; Block Group 3, CT 202.2 is primarily Woodland Neighborhood with Illinois to the South West along N&S Purdue to Lafayette Dr back to Illinois Ave.; Block Group 3, CT 204 is irregular shaped with Oak Ridge Turnpike being on the north between Georgia Ave. to Robertsville Rd. north to Hillside Rd to Highland Ave. north to Outer Dr. to Michigan Ave back to Georgia Ave via Broadway Ave.; Block Group 2, CT 205 is a smaller tract having bordering N. Illinois Ave, W. Outer Dr to Highland Ave. back to N. Illinois Ave via Hillside Ave.; Block Group 3, CT 205 is the area primarily west of N. Illinois Ave including W. Outer Dr. to Louisiana Ave to Robertsville Rd. back to N. Illinois Ave. via Iroquois Rd. Low: at or below 50% of the area median income AMI, LowMod: at or below 80% of AMI, and LMMI: at or below 120% of AMI (just for the NSP program)
CDBG Target Areas - Census Block Groups: ObjectID Source Geoname (Anderson County, TN) Low LowMod Lmmi LowModur LowMod% MOE
177577 2015ACS Block Group 1, Census Tract 201 710 995 1215 1395 71.33 ±15.48
177578 2015ACS Block Group 2, Census Tract 201 720 840 975 1550 54.19 ±17.42
177583 2015ACS Block Group 3, Census Tract 202.2 625 1255 1315 1650 76.06 ±19.82
177589 2015ACS Block Group 3, Census Tract 204 920 1205 1390 1670 72.16 ±24.19
177591 2015ACS Block Group 2, Census Tract 205 395 580 600 650 89.23 ±27.69
177592 2015ACS Block Group 3, Census Tract 205 700 950 1165 1545 61.49 ±22.91
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Discussion
100% of all CDBG funds are invested into the defined MDO neighborhoods/target areas with exception of minimal associated Grant Administration costs.
AP-55 Affordable Housing - 91.220(g)
Introduction: There will always be a difference in the City of Oak Ridge's goals and actual numbers of homeless who were provided
affordable housing units due to the work of non-profit agencies that directly assist the City in providing services to the homeless. The City of Oak Ridge's partner in assisting homeless individuals and families is Trinity Out-Reach Center for Hope (TORCH). TORCH primarily uses Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding from Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA). ADFAC and Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County produces affordable housing units on properties purchased by City CDBG funds. After the City transfers properties to the Oak Ridge Land Bank (ORLB), they are often donated or sold at very low rates to assist non-profit housing partners in providing affordable housing units. ORLB also works with contractors to provide new affordable owner-occupied housing units.
Discussion:
The City of Oak Ridge recognizes the need for affordable housing and wants to either facilitate or directly assist everyone who is in need, particularly the homeless and those with special needs. It is also recognized that there are partner organizations who specialize in this effort. There have been planning meetings between non-profits and the City to identify and reduce the number of duplicated services. Future annual action plans will continue to reduce blight and provide safe, livable neighborhoods while supporting our housing partners to assist the homeless and create new affordable housing.
AP-60 Public Housing - 91.220(h) Provided by ORHA
Introduction: Residents of the City of Oak Ridge are served by the Oak Ridge Housing Authority (ORHA), which was incorporated
September 5, 1969 under the “Housing Authorities Law” Chapters 8 through 11 Title 13 TCA Sections 801 through 1113. ORHA has several Capital Fund Projects currently in the works or planned for the coming year. These projects include new roofs for four sites, plumbing and electrical upgrades at the ORHA administrative building, and replacement of toilets with low-flow models. ORHA also plans to begin affordable housing projects within the City to address the need.
Actions planned during the next year to address the needs to public housing: The Oak Ridge Housing Authority (ORHA) hired a new Executive Director in 2019. The City of Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge
Land Bank have formed a new partnership to create the development arm of ORHA known as Oak Ridge Housing Authority Development Corporation (ORHADC). It is the goal of all partners to create a mix of public housing, affordable housing and market housing in the Highland View neighborhood. An effort to revitalize the Highland View redevelopment initiative is beginning to take shape. ORHADC plans to construct three (3) new owner-occupied homes on Waddell Place on land donated by the Land Bank. ORHA has a healthy public housing inventory to which the City of Oak Ridge regularly refers potential residents. Actions taken to address
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the needs of public housing in the City include providing admission based on eligibility and providing preferences to the follow groups of people: ● Working families and those unable to work because of age or disability ● Individuals and families displaced by government action ● Individuals and families displaced by HCV holders due to lack of funding ● Veterans, disabled persons ● Individuals who lost employment due to downsizing as a prevention to homelessness homeownership. ORHA continues
to engage residents in work with the housing authority, currently ORHA employs 1 resident.
ORHA’s new Development arm will present residents with more homeownership options. ORHA also plans to have its FSS coordinator receive training in homeownership counseling, and provide this service to its residents seeking
Actions to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and participate in homeownership:
The Oak Ridge Housing Authority assists L/M people through their Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS). Through this program, ORHA has disbursed over $30,000.00 in Escrow to 16 families, in five years, who are no longer reliant on public housing because they have gone through training and skills and secure their own financial security. ORHA’s new Development arm will provide residents with more homeownership options. ORHA also plans to have its FSS coordinator receive training in homeownership counseling and provide this service to its residents seeking homeownership.
If the PHA is designated as troubled, describe the manner in which financial assistance will be provided or other assistance:
The Oak Ridge Housing Authority is not designated as "troubled".
Discussion: There have been no formal actions taken to assist the ORHA based on repairing troubled PHA’s. The City and its housing
partners however are very involved in the creation of ORHA’s first development corporation. This is a ground-breaking effort for Oak Ridge and the Housing Authority. Everyone is working in good faith to make this redevelopment effort successful.
AP-65 Homeless and Other Special Needs Activities - 91.220(i) Provided By TORCH
Introduction: In the 2019 - 2020 fiscal year (June – July) approximately 297 new individuals were identified as homeless in Anderson
County. 216 adults and 81 children were identified in Anderson County as literally homeless, meaning that they were staying outside, on the streets, in a car or were being otherwise sheltered. 44 adults, individuals and 20 children were homeless in FY20 and rolled into this year making the total number of individuals who spent at least one night outside 361 individuals identified as homeless. Approximately 80% of these (289) were in Oak Ridge.
As is typical, the number of homeless females outnumbered the number of homeless males as follows: 156 Males, 199 females and 6 unknown gender. Racial Statistics: 261 White, 61 Black, 4 American Indian, 26 Multiple Races, 8 unknowns. 8 clients identified as Hispanic or Latino. 14 clients reported fleeing domestic violence. 32 clients identified as having a mental health issue, 50 clients reported a physical disability, 26 reported having a chronic health problem, 6 reported a developmental disability and 1 identified as having HIV. The homeless population in Oak Ridge is a heterogeneous group, which includes single individuals, families with children, and unaccompanied runaway and homeless youth. It is recognized that solving the problem of homelessness requires a combination of homeless prevention, homeless outreach, housing services, affordable housing and wrap around support services to insure once someone obtains housing they retain housing.
Describe the jurisdictions one-year goals and actions for reducing and ending homelessness including: Reaching out to homeless persons (especially unsheltered persons) and assessing their individual needs: The City of Oak Ridge provides technical support and technical assistance to the Trinity Out-Reach Center of Hope (TORCH) with the goal of eliminating homelessness in Oak Ridge by reaching Functional Zero. Functional Zero will be achieved when the number entering homelessness is the same or lower than the number leaving homelessness. The City Of Oak Ridge will provide technical assistance as they focus on the following strategies to achieve functional zero.
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Increase housing stock: TORCH will partner with area landlords and offer special incentives such as a double deposit, or reimbursements for damages beyond what is covered by the deposit amount. Decrease the number of homeless on the streets and outside: TORCH will continue to collect donations and form partnerships with area churches to house homeless families and those with special needs in hotels. The City of Oak Ridge will provide technical assistance and support to TORCH as they work towards fulfilling their vision of creating transitional housing or temporary residential housing for the homeless. Increase Outreach and Rapid Rehousing: The City of Oak Ridge will provide technical assistance to TORCH as they utilize their model of providing Outreach and Rapid Rehousing to those who are homeless.
Homeless Outreach Strategy:
TORCH’s currently utilizes a 4-part plan for each homeless individual encountered as follows: Assess: TORCH utilizes the HUD mandated Coordinated Entry and Assessment process to evaluate if an applicant
qualifies for TORCH services and the client’s immediate needs. 1. Triage/Outreach: Street Outreach services target individuals and families living unsheltered, meaning those who qualify
under 21 CFR Part 576.2 paragraph (1)(i) of the definition of “homelessness.” Services are described under 21 CFR Part 576.101. Services for eligible program participants are provided on the street or in parks, abandoned buildings, bus stations, campgrounds, and in other such settings where people living unsheltered are staying. Case Managers will provide unsheltered homeless with food, material needs, help obtaining documentation, help filling out applications, and linkage to services such as TORCH’s Outreach Office, Travel Assistance, Rapid Rehousing, Income based housing, medical and mental health services, and other services as needed. In cases where a child is sleeping outside or other special needed hotel vouchers may be provided to ensure that vulnerable people have secure and safe shelter.
2. Rapid Rehousing: Case Managers will help homeless clients transition rapidly into housing by assisting clients in identifying and overcoming housing barriers; assisting with obtaining necessary documentation, providing technical assistance, housing linkage to landlords with affordable private rental homes and available public housing and section 8 housing, financial assistance upon move-in.
3. Stabilization/Follow-Up: Follow up services are provided to those who obtained housing in non-subsidized housing. These services may include case management, financial planning and budgeting guidance, and financial assistance in the form of past due rent or utility assistance to insure persons do not return to homelessness.
Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons. Emergency Shelter is currently provided by TORCH in the form of hotel vouchers. These vouchers are available to families with children who are staying outside, or those with a special need. Transitional Housing is provided at the AGAPE house. Owned and operated by the Oak Ridge Universalist Unitarian Church, AGAPE House is two-unit duplex which typically houses one family per unit for between 1 and 3 months.
Ridgeview mental health operates up to 8 transitional housing units for individuals who have a mental health diagnosis. In 2020 TORCH began the planning phase on building Temporary Housing for the homeless. This is in coordination with the City of Oak Ridge who sold the land to be used at a reduced rate and has provided technical support and cooperation throughout the process. TORCH envisions 6 units of temporary housing for families with children and severely disabled clients for whom living outside might be a threat to their life.
Housing will be individual apartment style units. TORCH will not charge for housing. Housing will be temporary. Clients will work with a case manager who will ensure that clients are moving forward with a case plan that assists them in obtaining permanent housing as soon as possible.
Helping homeless persons (especially chronically homeless individuals and families, families with children, veterans and their families, and unaccompanied youth) make the transition to permanent housing and independent living, including shortening the period of time that individuals and families experience homelessness, facilitating access for homeless individuals and families to affordable housing units, and preventing individuals and families who were recently homeless from becoming homeless again: TORCH will utilize Rapid Rehousing to assist clients with transitioning from homelessness into housing quickly.
Immediate Rapid Rehousing (Past Due amounts, Utility Deposits, Rental Deposits only): Upon verifying that an applicant qualifies for RRH services the applicant will receive Immediate Case Management and assistance with locating housing and financial assistance to secure housing quickly. Rapid Rehousing clients who are without children and able bodied or who are above the 30% median income threshold, or receiving financial assistance from another agency such as Section 8 will be notified that they will qualify for assistance with ESG move in costs but no further assistance through ESG will be granted
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beyond initial move in costs to obtain housing (Some of these clients may qualify for assistance after move in from the United Way Stable Ground Funding in isolated times of need.)
Continued Rapid Rehousing: A client is deemed as “high risk” and at a greater risk for recidivism by meeting the following criteria: Client is without income, or at 30% below the poverty line at enrollment and meets one of the following criteria: ● The Client is caring for children in the household below the age of 18. ● The Client is disabled. ● The client is caring for someone who is disabled. ● The client is chronically homeless.
If the client meets these criteria they may be considered for Continued Rapid Rehousing Services. Clients will receive up to 3 months of assistance. Each month a case manager and client will meet and agree on a set amount that client is to pay based on the clients’ income and life circumstances. If funding is available clients may be eligible for 2 extensions beyond the original 3 month “shelter” period. These occurrences will be rare. No ESG financial assistance will be given beyond 9 months.
Stable Ground: These funds are only available to formerly homeless clients housed through Rapid Rehousing in non-income-based housing. Once a formerly homeless household is housed Stable Ground assistance can provide follow up case management and financial assistance if the household encounters a time where they are not able to meet all of their financial obligations. Stable Ground may assist with past due rent or past due utility payments.
Helping low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless, especially extremely low-income individuals and families and those who are: being discharged from publicly funded institutions and systems of care (such as health care facilities, mental health facilities, foster care and other youth facilities, and corrections programs and institutions); or, receiving assistance from public or private agencies that address housing, health, social services, employment, education, or youth needs. Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC): For homeless prevention The City partners with Aid ADFAC on the Project Safe program, a program that assists eligible persons with utility payments. The City provides property tax funds to ADFAC for the administration of the City of Oak Ridge Social Services Program (CORSS). ADFAC provides counseling services by a certified social worker to each client prior to providing funds for past due utility payments, and rental assistance.
Discussion: Due to Covid 19, additional measures were taken to insure the safety of both our clients and staff. TORCH followed all guidelines issued by THDA on the use of PPE. TORCH requested and was approved for additional funding to assist with additional housing to reduce the number of homeless on the street. This came in the form of an additional $82,000 in ESG assistance that did not require a match. TORCH began utilizing this funding on January 2021. It is to be used by the end of the calendar year. TORCH also received an additional $7,000 in assistance from the United Way to assist with additional hotel rooms for clients staying outside. During the 2020 calendar year TORCH expenditures on hotel rooms more than doubled from approximately $30,000 to approximately $82,000.
AP-75 Action Plan Barriers to Affordable Housing - 91.220(j)
Introduction: The regulations for the Annual Action Plan require an explanation of whether the cost of housing or the incentives to develop, maintain or improve affordable housing are negatively affected by public policies, including tax policies, land use controls, zoning ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limits and policies that affect the return on residential development. COVID-19 continues to be a threat to every aspect of life. The unpredictability of labor and materials along with issues associated with vulnerable populations presents unique and ever evolving challenges in the goals as stated in this plan. Policies and actions to counteract the social distancing, quarantine requirements and vaccination levels will need to be flexible enough to adapt to the changes while providing the best possible outcomes as planned.
Actions it planned to remove or ameliorate the negative effects of public policies that serve as barriers to affordable housing such as land use controls, tax policies affecting land, zoning ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limitations, and policies affecting the return on residential investment: The City of Oak Ridge has, and continues to be, actively involved in issues concerning the housing market. The adoption and enforcement of zoning and subdivision regulations and building codes has shaped the growth of neighborhoods and influenced the
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design, quality, and cost of the community’s housing stock. The Community Development Department administers these policies, which have made Oak Ridge a planned and livable city. During the last several years, City of Oak Ridge officials and staff have been determined to reduce the perception that the regulations and policies are detrimental to residents and residential developers. These policies and the methods to reduce the barriers to affordable, quality housing include: • Building codes and standards – The City of Oak Ridge has adopted the 2018 International Building Code and International
Residential Code as published by the International Code Council • Building permits and fees – The City of Oak Ridge has an administrative policy D-200 titled Fees and Municipal Services
and Supplies Section 2.110, Affordable Housing Fee Adjustments eliminates any zoning fees, moving fee and demolition fee and reduces to $25.00 the permit fees. Item a, of Section 2.110 will be updated to reference the CDBG target areas utilizing data from the most recent U.S. Census
• Property tax relief – City Council approved a resolution authorizing a local option property tax freeze program for taxpayers 65 years of age or older based on income and ownership of eligible property and other guidelines as set forth in the resolution.
• Increasing knowledge of available programs and resources – The City of Oak Ridge will continue efforts to communicate information concerning available programs and resources through the website and newspaper notices and articles.
• Nationwide affordable housing trends - The private housing market does not generally provide new or updated affordable housing without some type of subsidy. Incentive and older housing units that are affordable often have physical problems that make the units ineligible for financing from private lending institutions. ● Property Maintenance – The City of Oak Ridge has recently adopted the 2018 International Property Maintenance code. This is a minimal property standard that does not often change, which reduces confusion as to what rules apply when maintaining both residential and commercial properties.
Discussion: In addition to these barriers, many older homes in Oak Ridge available to L/M income residents require financing for both rehabilitation and/or purchase. These homes typically have several deferred maintenance issues that are identified during a pre-purchase home inspection. The estimated repair costs discourage potential L/M income buyers from becoming homeowners. Methods to address the barriers to affordable housing that are stated above include: • Use of innovative approaches and cooperative partnerships with other public agencies and private organizations to meet
the need for new affordable housing. • Promote housing rehabilitation programs for older homes so that an increased number of houses meet the 2018
International Property Maintenance Code. ● Implement an effective Neighborhood Improvement Strategy that will improve quality of life of L/M households.
AP-85 Other Actions - 91.220(k)
Introduction: Planning has been central to the development of the City of Oak Ridge from the very beginning. Early in its history as the centerpiece of the Manhattan Project in World War II, a plan for the development of the city was prepared by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. A planning commission was established and staff employed when the city was transferred to civilian control and became a public entity after the war. Since then a variety of long-range plans and policy documents have been developed. The adoption of a zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations were important milestones along the way. Public guidance of land development activities has become a routine part of local government activity in Oak Ridge. The 2019 City Blue Print emphasizes resident empowerment, neighborhood stabilization and revitalization, pedestrian mobility and public safety. Resident empowerment strategies will focus on employment and life skills training, increasing educational attainment, youth programming to reduce gang and criminal activity. The neighborhood stabilization strategy will focus on reducing the number of deteriorated and vacant/abandoned properties, encouraging resident involvement in neighborhoods, increasing owner-occupied units, and decreasing highly concentrated areas of rentals. Pedestrian mobility and public safety strategies will include improved sidewalks, access to public transportation, community policing, improving crime analysis, and increasing resident engagement. Additional CDBG (non-duplication of benefits) resources to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19), will be utilized in addition to the implementation of this Annual Action Plan.
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Actions planned to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs: One of the key obstacles to meeting the underserved needs in the City of Oak Ridge is lack of adequate funding or other non-financial resources to adequately address problems. Insufficient funding precludes the City from appropriately addressing every worthy project and often includes allocating funding at less than an optimal amount. The City does not fund programs which duplicate the work of other programs. Non-financial resource limitations include insufficient numbers of trained volunteers or staff to provide expertise and support for programs and language barriers. The City will also partner with the non-profits and others to consolidate resources. The City is part of the TVCOC which works to consolidate resources, financial and non-financial, to meet the needs of all East Tennessee.
Actions planned to foster and maintain affordable housing: The City of Oak Ridge will continue to regulate residential rental property using the Rental Registration Program in the MDO target area which has the highest concentration of rental property. Property Maintenance and other environmental code enforcement actions to improve the quality of life in all city neighborhoods are one of the highest priorities to maintain desirable and affordable housing. The Community Development Department and non-profit partners will continue to seek new funding opportunities along with existing sources to assist in rehabilitation of homes and encourage construction of new affordable houses in older neighborhoods. The Oak Ridge Land Bank and Oak Ridge Housing Authority have also agreed to partner in development opportunities that will create new affordable housing units in underserved areas.
Actions planned to reduce lead-based paint hazards: Childhood lead based paint poisoning is a significant problem nationally. On September 15, 2000, HUD regulation (24CFR Part 35) took effect streamlining, modernizing and consolidating all lead-based paint requirements in federally assisted housing to ensure that children are adequately protected from lead poisoning. The regulation prescribes certain action by HUD grantees to identify, stabilize or remove lead-based paint hazards in any housing receiving HUD assistance. The rule only affects residential structures built before 1978. The scope of activities required by HUD is dependent upon the type of housing impacted and the amount of federal assistance being provided, with rehabilitation activities using in excess of $25,000 of HUD funds requiring the highest level of treatment. The City of Oak Ridge includes a detailed and strict requirement in the CDBG sub recipient agreements pertaining to the treatment of lead-based paint. The article of the sub recipient agreement specifies the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act and the HUD Lead-Based Paint Regulations. The City of Oak Ridge also verifies with all sub recipients that information concerning lead-based paint hazards is provided to their clients. Matt Widner, the Community Development Specialist, is certified as an EPA Lead Inspector. He is certified & state licensed to conduct all lead-based paint initial inspections and risk assessments. The City of Oak Ridge and partners will continue to address the hazards of lead-based paint in the activities receiving HUD funding, in compliance with the prescribed regulations and for the health, safety and welfare of our citizens.
Actions planned to reduce the number of poverty-level families: The City’s primary tools to address poverty are currently limited to tax policies, social service programs, housing assistance and economic development programs. When these are combined with the provision of life safety programs such as police and fire protection and the construction and maintenance of city infrastructure (streets, parks and utilities) they help create the kind of environment where citizens can concentrate on positive life activities and outcomes (working, taking care of themselves, their families and their property). The City, in conjunction with other public agencies and private organizations, will seek to provide very low- and low-income households with various opportunities to gain the knowledge, skills and motivation to become fully self-sufficient. The City of Oak Ridge will continue to pursue resources and innovative partnerships to promote the development of affordable housing, assist with strategies that help with homeless prevention, provide emergency assistance, support health services and transportation; all with the intent of building a community that is empowered to provide a constructive quality of life for all its citizens.
Actions planned to develop institutional structure: A requirement of the Annual Action Plan is to describe the organizations that assist the City of Oak Ridge to provide the housing and community development-related programs. Institutional structure is defined as the private, public and nonprofit organizations through which a jurisdiction will carry out the Consolidated Plan activities. City of Oak Ridge staff and officials, non-profit organizations, businesses, faith-based organizations, neighborhood groups and citizens are all vital partners in the housing and community development delivery system. The Knoxville HUD Community Planning and Development (CPD) office provides advice and assistance with statutory and regulatory requirements and technical assistance for the CDBG entitlement program. The Knoxville HUD CPD office also helps with marketing and outreach efforts to promote community development and affordable housing in the East Tennessee region. The Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) provides advice and assistance with statutory and regulatory requirements for the
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Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program. The City of Oak Ridge is also a member of the applicable HUD Continuum of Care (COC) for our region: TN-512, Claiborne, Blount, Sevier, Campbell, Cocke, Granger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Monroe, Union, and Anderson Counties. The Tennessee Valley Coalition for the Homeless, a regional non-profit, leads our CoC and provides training, outreach and access to other services and data. One example of a benefit from partnering with the CoC is access to regional data in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). This information helps the City understand the extent and type of resident need in the community.
Actions planned to enhance coordination between public and private housing and social service agencies: The City of Oak Ridge Community Development Specialist or a backup staff person attend monthly TVCOC meetings and coordinates between various public and private agencies that are in attendance as well as other local agencies to better understand the state of our housing situation from an individual family level to an overarching community wide level. In addition to the TVCOC coordination, there are newly formed relationships between the Oak Ridge Housing Authority (ORHA), Oak Ridge Land Bank (ORLB), the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce Housing Committee and the City of Oak Ridge who all believe that housing is one of the most critical issues that faces the city today. Public meetings regularly reveal that citizens are concerned about their neighborhoods and attribute the declining housing stock as a major factor in their safety concerns. The City of Oak Ridge uses CDBG entitlement funds along with the City’s general fund dollars to assist with HUD’s national goals of the CDBG program. Leadership begins with the City’s elected officials and the approval of the Annual Action Plan activities. Effective program delivery would not be possible without the coordination of Federal, State and local partners. The City of Oak Ridge staff and officials rely on the area non- profit organizations (social service agencies), as well as state and federal officials to provide insight with respect to the needs of our residents. The non-profit organizations in our community are vital partners for the delivery of services and programs to Oak Ridge residents. The organizations throughout the region and particularly here in Oak Ridge work and coordinate together to provide necessary resources to everyone in Oak Ridge who is need of them. The Knoxville HUD office is also a valuable resource that provides advice and assistance with statutory and regulatory requirements, technical assistance, and training for staff and officials to better understand the CDBG entitlement program. The Knoxville HUD office also helps with marketing and outreach efforts to promote community development and affordable housing for the region. City of Oak Ridge residents appreciate the dedicated service and support of their state and federal elected officials.
Discussion: The City of Oak Ridge uses a CDBG committee approach instead of assigning one staff member and/or one department with the full responsibility for the CDBG program. The City’s internal CDBG committee generally reviews all CDBG program activities and makes recommendations to the City Manager for his evaluation and prioritization to City Council. This Annual Action Plan PY21/FY22, was directly impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but reflects input by city staff, officials, non- profit agencies and residents. The Community Development Department was tasked with the responsibility of conducting public meetings, collecting data, documenting the process and drafting the Annual Action Plan.
AP-90 Program Specific Requirements - 91.220(l)(1,2,4)
Introduction: The City of Oak Ridge does not generate Program Income from CDBG grant.
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Discussion: No further discussion.
NUMBER
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PY2021/FY2022 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN AND THE PROPOSED ALLOCATIONS OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)ENTITLEMENT FUNDS FOR PY2021/FY2022 ESTIMATED AT $241,776.00.
WHEREAS, PY2021/FY2022 will be the 38th year that the City of Oak Ridge is the recipient of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and,
WHEREAS, by Resolution 12-107-2020, City Council approved the CDBG Consolidated Plan 2020-2022; and,
WHEREAS, the City is currently in second year of that three-year Consolidated Plan; and,
WHEREAS, the Annual Action Plan implements policies established in that three-year Consolidated Plan; and,
WHEREAS, in accordance with the Consolidated Plan’s Citizen Participation Plan, the City held a total of five public Needs Assessment meetings in the months of April, May and June2021; and,
WHEREAS, the funds available for distribution under the PY2021/FY2022 CDBG Entitlement Program is estimated at $241,776.00; and,
WHEREAS, HUD requires that a description of the City's proposed allocations of CDBG Entitlement funds be included in the PY2021/FY2022 Annual Action Plan of the Consolidated Plan, which is subject to HUD approval before disbursement of CDBG allocations; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager recommends approval of the PY2021/FY2022 Annual Action Plan and proposed funding allocations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE:
That the recommendation of the City Manager is approved and the City of Oak Ridge PY2021/FY2022 Annual Action Plan and the following proposed allocations of Community Development Block Grant Entitlement funds estimated to be available for FY2022 totaling $241,776.00 are hereby approved:
Acquisition/Removal of Vacant Blighted Housing Renovation of MDO Homes Neighborhood Improvement Projects Infrastructure Projects Access/Connectivity Elder/Disabled Abuse; Support/Social Services Grant Administration
$15,000.00$78,000.00$50,000.00$75,000.00$15,000.00$ 8,776.00
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and/or City Manager are hereby authorized to execute the appropriate legal instruments to accomplish the same.
This 14th day of June 2021.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Tammy M. Dunn, City Attorney Warren L. Gooch, Mayor
Mary Beth Hickman, City Clerk
DATE: June 14, 2021
TO: Mark S. Watson, City Manager
FROM: Matthew Widner , Community Development
SUBJECT: Community Development Block Grant 2nd CARES Act Amendment to theAnnual Action Plan (AAP) for PY2019/FY2020
AGENDA ID: VII.bOAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
SUPPORTING DEPARTMENT: -None- Introduction
An item for City Council’s consideration is a resolution authorizing the approval of the CDBG2nd CARES Act Substantial Amendment to the Annual Action Plan (AAP) for PY2019/FY2020which is the third year of the three year Consolidated Plan 2017-2020. HUD directed that thisAmendment must be applied to the City's already amended AAP PY19/FY20 plan.
FundingThe City of Oak Ridge receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlementfunds annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Theproposed CARES Act Amendment #2 to the AAP FY19/PY20 provides an additional funding of$232,681.00 the already received (1st Amendment of $139,339.00) to be utilized to prevent,prepare and respond to COVID-19. Funding Summary: Initial Annual Allocation PY2019: $239,0941st CARES Act Amendment: $139,3392nd CARES Act Amendment: $232,681 Total $611,114 Background
The proposed 2nd CARES Act Amendment to the Annual Action Plan for PY2019/FY2020 isattached. The full document is available for review in the City Council mailroom. Copies havealso been available on the City of Oak Ridge Community Development webpage, in the CityClerk’s Office, the Oak Ridge Public Library and the Scarboro Center. This CARES Act 2ndAmendment to the Annual Action Plan (PY19/FY20) as required by U. S. Department ofHousing and Urban Development usually mandates a thirty (30) day public comment period.However, H.U.D. has adjusted this requirement by reducing it to a period of no less than five(5) days for public comments on each substantial amendment. The 5-day comment period forthe City of Oak Ridge 2nd CDBG CARES Act Amendment to the Annual Action Plan(PY19/FY20) began on Monday, May 17, 2021 and ended on Friday, May 21, 2021advertised for as required. No comments from the public were received. The required publichearing is scheduled to be held on Monday, 14 June 2021 at 7:00pm during the City of Oak
Ridge City Council Meeting.
The City of Oak Ridge CDBG 2nd CARES Act Amendment projects are recommended forfunding during the AAP PY19/FY20 as follows:
(254) Air Filtration Purification Units $50,000 Reimbursement(255) Public Facility Enhancements $150,000 Reimbursement(252) Reimbursement of COVID-19 Costs $32,681
Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the CARES Act 2nd Amendment to the PY2019/FY2020 AnnualAction Plan and submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development(HUD) for the Community Development Block Grant funding.
Attachments:Proposed AAP PY19 FY20 Substantial Amendment _2.pdf Resolution - CDBG Cares Act Amendment.docx
CITY OF OAK RIDGE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CARES Act Amendment - #2)
ANNUAL ACTION PLAN OF THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN
for THE PERIOD OF
July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020
Warren L. Gooch, Mayor
Rick Chinn, Mayor Pro-Tem Kelly Callison Jim Dodson
Derrick Hammond Chuck Hope Ellen Smith
Mark S. Watson, City Manager
CDBG Committee, Staff Matt Widner, Community Development
Valarie Emery, Administrative Specialist Tammy Dunn, Legal
Wayne Blasius, Community Development
www.oakridgetn.gov
Table of Contents Annual Action Plan PY19 / FY20
CARES Act Amendment #2
Set Up AD-26 Administration of the Annual Action Plan ....................................................... 1 AD-50 Verify Grantee/PJ Information in IDIS ............................................................. 2 AD-55 Verify Grantee/PJ Program Contacts ................................................................ 2
Process AP-05 Executive Summary - 24 CFR 91.200(c), 91.220(b) ........................................... 3 PR-05 Lead & Responsible Agencies - 91.200(b) .......................................................... 7 AP-10 Consultation - 91.100, 91.200(b), 91.215(l) ....................................................... 7 AP-12 Participation - 91.105, 91.200(c) ........................................................................ 10
Annual Action Plan AP-15 Expected Resources - 91.220(c)(1,2) .................................................................. 13 AP-20 Annual Goals and Objectives - 91.220(c)(3)&(e) ................................................ 15 AP-35 Projects - 91.220(d) ............................................................................................ 15 AP-50 Geographic Distribution - 91.220(f) ................................................................... 17 AP-55 Affordable Housing - 91.220(g) .......................................................................... 18 AP-60 Public Housing - 91.220(h) .................................................................................. 19 AP-65 Homeless and Other Special Needs Activities - 91.220(i) ................................... 20 AP-75 Action Plan Barriers to Affordable Housing - 91.220(j) ....................................... 22 AP-85 Other Actions - 91.220(k) .................................................................................... 23 AP-90 Program Specific Requirements - 91.220(l)(1,2,4) .............................................. 25
Appendix A. SF 424 & Certifications B. Public Notices
C. Fair Housing D. 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service
City of Oak Ridge Annual Action Plan PY19/FY20
Set Up
Annual Action Plans CARES Act Amendment #2
AD-26 Administration of the Annual Action Plan
City of Oak Ridge Annual Action Plan PY19/FY20
Grantee/PJ
AD-50 Verify Grantee/PJ Information in IDIS
AD-55 Verify Grantee/PJ Program Contacts
Edit Grantee/PJ Program Contacts
City of Oak Ridge Annual Action Plan PY19/FY20 Page | 3
Process
AP-05 Executive Summary - 24 CFR 91.200(c), 91.220(b)
1. Introduction The City of Oak Ridge receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Annual Action Plan is the document that details action strategies for carrying out the City’s three-year Consolidated Plan as a requirement to receive funding for the CDBG program. These plans identify community-specific priorities, including housing, and outlines strategies for addressing them. The Consolidated Plan is required to address the following HUD National Objective Categories:
• Rehabilitation of MDO Housing • Neighborhood Improvement in target areas • Infrastructure Development & Upgrades in target areas • Acquisition and/or Removal of Dilapidated Housing in MDO
• CARES Act Amendment PY19 #1 (10 Aug 2020) allocated $139,339 to prevent, prepare and respond to COVID- 19. • CARES Act Amendment PY19 #2 ( ) allocated $232,681 to further prevent, prepare and respond to COVID-19.
2. Summarize the objectives and outcomes identified in the Plan This could be a restatement of items or a table listed elsewhere in the plan or a reference to another location. It may also contain any essential items from the housing and homeless needs assessment, the housing market analysis or the strategic plan.
This year's Annual Action Plan (AAP FY19/PY20) has evolved from prior years to reflect changed priorities as identified by the public participation process and increased market demand in CDBG target areas. This Program Year will focus on two (2) major and one (1) minor objectives to include minimal funding for grant administration. The objectives for this year are as follows:
1. Rehabilitation of Manhattan District Overlay (MDO) Housing (major) – Includes a number smaller projects that will supplement the City’s HOME Program by Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) as well as other specific projects designed to repair essential service features to eligible households.
2. Neighborhood Improvement, Infrastructure, Public Spaces (major) – Includes further development of the Woodland Pocket Park as well as public space enhancements in the Scarboro Neighborhood. Also planned, are infrastructure expansion projects to support new affordable housing units in the Highland View Neighborhood.
3. Removal of vacant blighted housing (minor) – Will continue but to a lesser degree due to the changing market. 4. Grant Administration (minor) - For continued cost of administering the CDBG grant. 5. Expenditure of 2014 and 2015 remaining funds ($64,436.68) in support of items 1 – 3 of this section. 6. CARES Act Amendment PY19 #1 for COVID-19 provided the following:
a. Public Service Programs administered by Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) to help meet the essential emergency/temporary needs of the residents of Oak Ridge, including rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to low-mod income households affected by COVID-19 in an effort to prevent homelessness.
b. Public facility enhancements for the Senior Center, Scarboro Center, Public Library, Municipal Building, Central Services Complex to ensure continuity of essential services to accommodate phased reopening protocols to include additional sanitizing activities and training to meet the urgent need. c. Reimbursement of COVID-19 expenses paid directly out of unbudgeted City funds not covered by any
other grant or program(s) to address an urgent need for testing and related activities. d. City staff has reallocated a total of $44,094 of unspent 2019 CDBG funding to supplement urgent need
activities to prevent, prepare and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The activities include: unbudgeted expense reimbursements for testing, education, social distancing and training services not otherwise covered along with grant administration.
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The City of Oak Ridge was allocated an additional $232,681 in CDBG-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV3) funding for activities that address COVID-19 related community needs. A SECOND CARES Act Amendment to the FY 2019 Annual Action Plan (PY19/FY20) is necessary. A thirty (30) day public comment period is normally required. However, the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has adjusted this requirement reducing it to a period of no less than five (5) days for public comments on each CARES Act amendment. Any information received during the public comment period or at the public hearing will be attached to the submitted Annual Action Plan. In addition, and for the purpose of an expedited use of the CDBG-CV funding, the bill eliminates the cap on the amount of funds a grantee can spend on public services, removes the requirement to hold in-person public hearings in order to comply with national and local social gather requirements, and allows grantees to be reimbursed for COVID-19 response activities regardless of the date the costs were incurred. The bill also allows grantees to apply the waiver of statutory regulations to 2019 and 2020 CDBG allocations. The CDBG-CV funds allocated under the CARES Act may be used for a range of eligible activities that prepare, prevent and respond to the spread of infectious diseases such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The proposed activities must meet one of the three National Objectives as required by CDBG regulation: This 2nd CARES Act amendment to the PY19/FY20 Annual Action Plan describes how these funds will be utilized locally to address urgent needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommended for funding in the Amended 2019 CDBG Annual Action Plan include:
1. Installation of air purification units in public facilities which will help prevent the spread of COVID-19. 2. Wastewater testing for COVID-19 RNA throughout the City’s sewer collection system to prepare and respond
to infection trends allowing resources to focus combating the spread of COVID-19 to first responders and schools.
3. Reimbursement of general COVID-19 prevention costs associated with personal protection equipment and disinfectants, etc.
3. Evaluation of past performance This is an evaluation of past performance that helped lead the grantee to choose its goals or projects.
Certain challenges have slowed the City of Oak Ridge in achieving all of its objectives in the past program year. This is largely due to the recent designation of the City becoming part of the Manhattan Project National Park and rising market demand for housing stock. While both of these developments are actually a good thing, the challenges they present mean fewer eligible and available properties for acquisition or removal of vacant blighted properties. It can be argued that this shortfall in spending is, in part, a result of the City's success in using local and CDBG funding to remove blight.
There is still a considerable amount of work to do in the community with regard to preventing blight and revitalizing neighborhoods. The City has worked steadily for the past seven years to eliminate blight throughout the Manhattan District Overlay (MDO) neighborhoods using various approaches such as: acquisition and demolition of structures found to be dangerous or dilapidated; providing code enforcement services to address property maintenance issues; supporting local land bank initiatives; helping homeless persons and persons at risk of becoming homeless; and assisting in the provision of various housing renovations for low to moderate income families, persons with special needs and the elderly.
The City has continued to transfer parcels of cleared land, to the Oak Ridge Land Bank Corporation (ORLB) for revitalization purposes. The Oak Ridge Land Bank Corporation was created pursuant to the authority of the Tennessee Local Land Bank Pilot Program set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated §13-30-101 et seq. By such statute, the Oak Ridge Land Bank Corporation has authority to create a land bank for real property located within the boundaries of Oak Ridge. For purposes of this plan, “Land Bank” means real property, however obtained or acquired and held by the Oak Ridge Land Bank Corporation. The intent is to acquire and hold real property until such time as the corporation is able to find a willing and able buyer to acquire the real property for renovation or redevelopment of high-quality affordable housing. This past year, the Oak Ridge Land Bank has donated five (5) properties to the non-profit organizations. The newly created Oak Ridge Housing Authority Development Corporation (ORHADC) is approved to receive four parcels while Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County (Habitat) received one. ORLB, also agreed to transfer two (2) parcels far below market rate to Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC). All seven transfers are for the benefit
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of L/M income households further increasing the city's owner occupancy rate. Additionally, the Land Bank has sold
Five properties at fair market value that supported moderate-income owner-occupied housing. Nearly half of the 31 current ORLB properties were acquired with CDBG funds.
4. Summary of Citizen Participation Process and consultation process Summary from citizen participation section of plan.
The City of Oak Ridge recognizes the importance of citizen participation and includes it as a goal in the CDBG program. Citizens are informed of public hearings, Community Development workshops, City Council meetings and work sessions, and City sponsored activities throughout April’s Fair Housing Month. Information about the CDBG program is also available on the City’s website at: http://www.oakridgetn.gov/department/CommDev/Planning- Division/CDBG-Program.
The Annual Action Plan is the City’s annual guide for the implementation of policies and programs that further HUD’s national objectives for the CDBG program. CDBG funds can be used for a variety of activities to help low to moderate (L/M) income people and neighborhoods such as housing rehabilitation, providing public facilities, community services, infrastructure, transitional housing, economic development, code enforcement activities and the elimination of blight. The City of Oak Ridge Consolidated Plan for the years 2017-2020 was developed through a public participation process. The City held four public meetings in 2017 to receive comments and recommendations from citizens, non-profit agencies, faith-based organizations and city staff as follows: Municipal Bldg: Wednesday February 8 at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday February 8 at 5:30 p.m. Scarboro Ctr: Wednesday February 22 at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday February 22 at 5:30 p.m.
This Annual Action Plan is the third of three Annual Action Plans (AAP) during the Consolidated Plan period of 2017- 2020. Each of the AAP’s describe the City’s intent for investing CDBG entitlement funds for the upcoming year. This annual plan was developed from the priorities established in the Consolidated Plan, along with a public participation process. The City held four public meetings, in 2019 as follows: Oak Ridge Municipal Building on Friday, February 1st from noon till 1:30 p.m. and then again from 4:00 p.m. till 5:30 p.m.
The second set of public meetings were held at: City of Oak Ridge Public Library on Monday, February 4th from noon till 1:30 p.m. and then again at the Scarboro Community Center Lobby Area from 4:00 p.m. till 5:30 p.m. There were sixteen (16) total citizens from all four public meetings that signed in and provided input on this year’s annual action plan draft.
The 30-day comment period for the City of Oak Ridge CDBG Annual Action Plan (PY19/FY20) began on Wednesday, May 8th, 2019 ending on Friday, June 7th, 2019. A public hearing was held on Monday July 8, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. during the City of Oak Ridge Council meeting at the Oak Ridge Municipal Building. Copies of the DRAFT City of Oak Ridge CDBG Annual Action Plan was made available on May 8, 2019 online at: http://www.oakridgetn.gov/department/CommDev/Planning- Division/CDBG-Program CDBG, and were provided for physical review at the following locations: (1) City of Oak Ridge, Community Development Department, 200 S. Tulane Avenue; (2) City of Oak Ridge, City Clerk’s Office, 200 S. Tulane Avenue; (3) Oak Ridge Public Library, 1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike; City of Oak Ridge Scarboro Center, 148 Carver Ave.
A 2nd CARES Act Amendment to the FY 2019 Annual Action Plan (PY19/FY20) is necessary. The thirty (30) day public comment period is normally required. However, the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has adjusted this requirement reducing it to a period of no less than five (5) days for public comments on each substantial amendment. Public comment period regarding the activities funded to address COVID-19 prevention measures were advertised for five (5) consecutive days from Monday, 17 May 2021 through Friday, 21 May 2021. Comments received were ____. A public hearing was held on _____, at 7:00 p.m. during the City of Oak Ridge Council meeting at the Oak Ridge Municipal Building. The proposed
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plan was presented by ______ with ___ public input received during the hearing. City Council _______ ______ the 2nd CARES Act amendment.
City of Oak Ridge Annual Action Plan PY19/FY20
The use of 711 dialing code for access to Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). TRS permits persons with a hearing or speech disability to use the telephone system via a text telephone (TTY) or other device to call persons with or without such disabilities was advertised for the 30 day public comment period and public hearing.
The CDBG Online Survey for the PY19/FY20 Annual Action Plan can be found online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YSKN3B5 or you can click the hotlink “Take the 2019 CDBG Survey” on the sidebar section of the Community Development Homepage here: http://www.oakridgetn.gov/department/CommDev/Home
The Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, (AAP) and Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) are available for download on the City’s above listed website as well. City staff attempts to stay informed about programs funded through other sources, and makes every effort to inform community organizations of this information.
5. Summary of public comments This could be a brief narrative summary or reference an attached document from the Citizen Participation section of the Con Plan
While there were not any general citizens present at any of the advertised Consolidated Plan 2017-2020 public meetings, citizen did provide feedback via fifteen received online surveys through the web based app “Survey Monkey®” as advertised on the City’s Community Development webpage: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2017CDB. Information from the HUD surveys can be found in the current Consolidated Plan. In summary, citizens rated abandoned, blighted and foreclosed residential/commercial properties being a problem as “very high.” Survey results revealed all respondents were residents of Oak Ridge who reported that they generally felt safe in their immediate neighborhoods. Youth Services, Services for Persons with Disabilities; Homeless Services and Domestic Violence ranked equally high in the level of need. Nearly all respondent were white females reporting they owned their primary residence and who have not looked for housing in the past five years. The majority of those not having or being persons with special needs in their households. Moderate issues noted from the received surveys included the need for traffic flow improvement and more development on Oak Ridge Turnpike properties. Comments received during the 30 Day Public Comment Period and City Council Public Hearing were generally factual corrections pertaining to TORCH and other non-substantive edits.
In preparing for the FY19/PY20 Annual Action Plan, there were sixteen (16) total citizens from all four public meetings that signed in and provided input on this year’s annual plan. Public input from these meetings came primarily from the Scarboro neighborhood meeting. Nearly all comments received focused on improved property maintenance service for elderly and low income. One letter was also received indicating a need for tree removal for elderly households. The online survey located at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YSKN3B5 received 4 responses from Oak Ridge resident senior males (2 white & 2 black). (As of July 8, 2019, there were four actual online completed surveys received). Comments received however, have indicated a continued desire to improve livability of target neighborhoods along with “highest need” more code enforcement activity to maintain current properties and expanded youth services. Other suggestions were to bring back rehabilitation of MDO homes programs, improve parks and recreation facilities and increase outreach efforts to inform citizens of city services. Comments received during the 30 day public comment period and City Council public hearing were minor factual points and typographical corrections which were non- substantive edits. See also: Executive Summary for COVID-19 CARES Act 2nd Amendment
6. Summary of comments or views not accepted and the reasons for not accepting them. Comments and requests that were not generally accepted were for similar Neighborhood Improvement Projects out- side of the MDO and not within CDBG target areas.
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7. Summary In an effort to encourage more citizen participation in consultation process, the City produced public meeting notices in both Spanish and English. Used social media to notify citizens of scheduled events and sent notices to political candidates for next election year. The Community Development Department distributed notices to city employees and non-profit partners to include community organizations.
PR-05 Lead & Responsible Agencies - 91.200(b) 1. Describe agency/entity responsible for preparing the Consolidated Plan and those responsible for administration of each grant program and funding source
IDIS Table 1
Narrative (optional): The City of Oak Ridge is the lead agency and local jurisdiction responsible for overseeing the development of the Consolidated Plan and the administration of CDBG entitlement funds. A modified City Manager-Council form of government governs the City of Oak Ridge. This governing body consists of a seven member City Council that elects one of its members as Mayor to serve as the ceremonial head of the City and presiding officer of the City Council. The City Manager and City Attorney are appointed by the City Council.
Consolidated Plan Public Contact Information: The City of Oak Ridge Consolidated Plan 2017-2020 and all three PY2017/FY2018; PY2018/FY2019; PY19/FY20 Annual
Action Plans are available for review in the City Clerk’s office and in the Community Development Department along
with in the Oak Ridge Public Library. All plans are located on line at:
http://www.oakridgetn.gov/department/CommDev/Planning- Division/CDBG-Program. Please contact Matt Widner at
[email protected] or 865-425-3584 if you have any questions or comments.
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AP-10 Consultation - 91.100, 91.200(b), 91.215(l)
Introduction: The development of the Annual Action Plan involved consultation with public and private agencies that provide assisted housing, health services and social services, including providers to children, elderly people, people with disabilities and their families, and homeless people. Agencies specifically asked for comments included:
• Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, Inc. (ADFAC) • Ridgeview Psychiatric Hospital and Services, Inc. • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) • Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch • Oak Ridge Housing Authority • Trinity Outreach Center for Hope (TORCH)
• Tennessee Valley Coalition for the Homeless (TVCH) • League of Women Voters • Oak Ridge Land Bank, Inc. (ORLB)
The City also consults with an internal CDBG committee that consists of staff from various departments, as well as community citizens. Employees from Community Development, Finance, Public Works, Legal and the Police Department attempt to meet quarterly to discuss CDBG program initiatives. On occasion, the committee meets with external stakeholders to discuss partnership opportunities that are mutually beneficial.
The City of Oak Ridge values its partnerships with area nonprofit organizations, the Oak Ridge Public Housing Authority (ORPHA), the regional Continuum of Care (CoC), state and federal officials, and the public at large. Coordination among the aforementioned entities, in addition to City staff and HUD regional staff, is essential to the community’s ability to provide a plethora of much needed services.
Provide a concise summary of the jurisdiction's activities to enhance coordination between public and assisted housing providers and private and governmental health, mental health and service agencies (91.215(l)). The City of Oak Ridge has ongoing relationships with many housing providers working on housing development activities the city also works with the ORHA to utilize Section 8 vouchers from the federal government to address the housing needs of the city’s lowest income households. Through the Continuum of Care (CoC) processes, the City of Oak Ridge maintains relationships with mental health providers, homeless shelter and services providers, and other state/local government agencies with specific responsibilities for homeless individuals and families. The city also participates in a variety of other groups that seek to address other issues that relate to housing and service needs. The Oak Ridge Land Bank (ORLB) is also the first of its kind in Tennessee. Together, the City and ORLB is working to enhance and modify state laws to further support the elimination of blight and reduce rate of deterioration facing our WWII era housing stock.
Describe coordination with the Continuum of Care and efforts to address the needs of homeless persons (particularly chronically homeless individuals and families, families with children, veterans, and unaccompanied youth) and persons at risk of homelessness. The City is an active member of the Tennessee Valley Coalition for the Homeless (TVCH), the lead agency in the regional Continuum of Care (CoC). The City’s Senior Planner and/or Housing Specialist attends monthly CoC meetings and serves on additional sub-committees. Coordination with the CoC is invaluable as it provides the City an opportunity to participate in dialog with numerous organizations that are committed to addressing the needs of the homeless population.
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Describe consultation with the Continuum(s) of Care that serves the jurisdiction's area in determining how to allocate ESG funds, develop performance standards for and evaluate outcomes of projects and activities assisted by ESG funds, and develop funding, policies and procedures for the operation and administration of HMIS. The City of Oak Ridge no longer receives Emergency Solution Grant (ESG) funds from the State of Tennessee’s Tennessee
Housing Development Agency (THDA). Oak Ridge is currently benefitting from TORCH using its direct awarded ESG funds
for rapid rehousing activities within the Oak Ridge city limits and Anderson County as a whole. Rapid rehousing involves
activities that place clients who are experiencing homelessness in housing. Examples of assistance provided by the ESG
program are payments for rent for housing, deposits for various housing related resources, mortgage and utilities.
TORCH records the number of clients they serve on a monthly basis and this information is available upon request.
TORCH is a member of the Tennessee Valley Coalition for the Homeless (TVCH), and they have the required Certification of Participation with Continuum of Care, certifying that their application is aligned with the Continuum of Care’s strategies for preventing and ending homelessness and creating housing stability. More information about TORCH is available at: http://www.oakridgetorch.org. TORCH acknowledges that agencies using ESG grant funds to provide services must coordinate with other agencies by entering information into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). HMIS helps prevent the duplication of community services to the same individuals. The TVCH provides TORCH quarterly monitoring reports for data entered in the HMIS system. The City works with TVCoC and its members each year to discuss the success of their program and determine a mutual path forward.
2. Describe Agencies, groups, organizations and others who participated in the process and describe the jurisdiction’s consultations with housing, social service agencies and other entities
IDIS Table – 2
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the
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anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination?
In preparing the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plans and CAPER, the City of Oak Ridge values the input of its citizens, public agencies and all other interested parties. Public comments will be accepted for at least 30 days for the Consolidated Plan and/or Annual Action Plans prior to submission of the documents to HUD for review and approval. All citizen comments provided to the City either orally or in writing will be considered prior to City Council approving the Consolidated Plan and/or Annual Action Plans.
Public comments will be accepted for at least 15 days for the CAPER prior to submission of the document to HUD. A summary of these citizen comments will be included in the CAPER prior to submitting the document to HUD. If a major project, such as the construction or expansion of a public facility, uses CDBG funds, additional public meetings will be held along with the acceptance of public comments, specific to the project.
All Oak Ridge City Council agendas include the opportunity for citizen comments that are not related to an agenda item. Citizens can use this forum to express their comments concerning the City’s CDBG program. All Oak Ridge City Council members have email addresses that are accessible from the City’s website at: http://www.oakridgetn.gov/departmentpg/CityClerk/City-Council/Meet-City-Council
In addition to holding public meetings, the City of Oak Ridge reached out to many community organizations to take note of any comments about community development programs in Oak Ridge. Feedback focused on the following:
• Acquisition and demolition of blighted properties and its impact in neighborhoods • Partnerships to rehabilitate deteriorated structures in neighborhoods • Homeless prevention activities and the impacts on the community • Rapid rehousing activities • Transfer of select properties to the Oak Ridge Land Bank Corporation for revitalization purposes
The City has also consulted with the State of Tennessee Historic Commission and the East Tennessee Development District to manage the SHPO 106 mitigation process which has become one of the major barriers to Oak Ridge’s effort to acquire and remove blighted structures using CDBG funds.
Identify any Agency Types not consulted and provide rationale for not consulting: The City advertised all four public meetings for input and one public hearing during City Council meeting after the required 30 day public comment period in the local newspapers and on the City’s website to include social media outlets and physical posting throughout the City in public and community businesses. The City also notified the Continuum of Care (CoC) about the planning phase of this Annual Action Plan. All agencies were invited to consult with the City of Oak Ridge. Not all agencies chose to participate by their own accord. This plan was created in an open and transparent manner.
Describe other local/regional/state/federal planning efforts considered when preparing the Plan.
IDIS Table – 3 “The TVCOC serves a dual purpose in the arena of homeless service delivery. This dual approach is through a regional planning body that addresses the service delivery system. Our CoC plans, develops and implements collaborative services designed to provide needed care and create systemic change within our region. Members of the Tennessee Valley CoC
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work together to address the larger picture and identify gaps in the services, unmet needs, and what future services
might be required.”
Narrative (optional): The City of Oak Ridge values its partnerships with area nonprofit organizations, the Oak Ridge Public Housing Authority (ORPHA), the regional Continuum of Care (CoC), state and federal officials, and the public at large. Coordination among the aforementioned entities, in addition to City staff and HUD regional staff, is essential to the community’s ability to provide a variety of much needed services.
AP-12 Participation - 91.105, 91.200(c)
1. Summary of citizen participation process/Efforts made to broaden citizen participation Summarize citizen participation process and how it impacted goal-setting. The City of Oak Ridge is an entitlement jurisdiction receiving Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Pursuant to the CDBG program regulations, the City is required to prepare an Annual Action Plan before the beginning of every program year that addresses goals and priorities established in the three-year Consolidated Plan. The City is also required to prepare a Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) on an annual basis to evaluate the previous year’s performance.
The Citizen Participation Plan (CPP) establishes the City of Oak Ridge’s policies and procedures for citizen participation in the development of the CDBG Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plans, including any subsequent amendment(s) and the CAPER. The CPP provides an opportunity for nonprofit service agencies and the community to work in partnership with the City to identify needs and allocate the CDBG funds. The CPP encourages participation from all citizens. Preparation of the Annual Action Plan includes the involvement of community development staff, an internal CDBG Committee, the City Manager and City Council. Currently, the City’s CDBG administrator is Matt Widner. The CDBG program administrator records the CDBG committee’s recommendations, tracks CDBG expenditures and serves as the City’s contact person for the CDBG program.
The CDBG committee is comprised of the City’s CDBG program administrator, representatives from various City departments, and community citizens. This committee serves as an advisory group to the City Manager and City Council on planning, implementation and assessment of CDBG programs/activities through the following tasks:
• Collection of citizen input with respect to neighborhood/community needs; • Consultation with potential CDBG sub-recipients during the application process; • Review of applications and proposed projects for CDBG funding; • Review of required HUD documents (Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan and CAPERs); • Recommendations for staff to provide to the City Manager for City Council’s approval; • Review of progress on projects/programs
As noted above, the CDBG committee provides program and funding recommendations to the City Manager for City Council’s review and approval. The City Council is responsible for executing the procedures established in the Consolidated and Annual Action Plans. The City Council makes the final determination about the priority of various community needs each year when allocating CDBG funds through the approval of the Annual Action Plan. The City of Oak Ridge staff and elected officials recognize that CDBG entitlement funds are taxpayer money returned to the City to be used primarily to benefit extremely low, low and moderate-income residents. City staff and elected officials are stewards of this public money and will openly discuss all records, except for those confidential records protecting a household’s privacy.
This 2nd CARES Act Amendment to the FY 2019 Annual Action Plan, such as these newly funded activities, usually require a thirty (30) day public comment period however, the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has waived this requirement provided that no less than five (5) days are provided for public comments on each substantial
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amendment. Public comments regarding the activities proposed prevent, prepare and respond to COVID-19 are encouraged and should be submitted to Matt Widner, Community Development Specialist for the City of Oak Ridge at [email protected] . The Public Comment Period ran from Monday, 17 May 2021 through Friday, 21 May 2021. An addition public meeting was held on 22 May 2021. A public hearing was held on ______ 2021 at 7:00 p.m. during the City of Oak Ridge City Council Meeting at the Municipal Building.
Citizen Participation Outreach The City of Oak Ridge provides opportunities for citizens, public agencies, and other interested parties, including citizens directly affected, adequate information on the CDBG program, including the anticipated amount of CDBG funds that are available for the current fiscal year and the range of activities that the City may undertake with the funds. Citizens are provided the opportunity to submit comments to the City on any of the identified housing and community development needs, the amount of funds received, and the activities undertaken to assist with the identified needs.
All meetings and public hearings related to the CDBG program will be held in locations accessible to those with physical disabilities and upon notice and in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, the City will attempt to provide for individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during the hearings.
IDIS Table 4
Substantial Amendments Once approved by City Council and HUD, the City of Oak Ridge may amend the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plans if the need arises. Any amendments to the Consolidated Plan and/or Annual Action Plan shall include a 30-day public comment period. The City will give reasonable notice and an opportunity for citizens to comment on proposed amendment(s). All comments provided to the City, either orally or in writing, will be considered prior to City Council approval of the amendment(s). A summary of the citizen comments and the City's response with respect to their acceptance will be included with the substantial amendment(s) document prior to submission to HUD. The City of Oak Ridge will amend the approved Consolidated Plan whenever a decision is made to propose a substantial change in funding priorities and/or a substantial change in the method of the distribution of funds. A “substantial change” is defined as a change equal to or in excess of 50% of the City’s CDBG entitlement funds for the current program year.
The City of Oak Ridge will amend an approved one-year Annual Action Plan whenever one of the following decisions is made:
• to carry out an activity that was not included or approved in the one-year Annual Action Plan; • to cancel an activity, prior to the end of the plan year, that was included and approved in the one- year Annual
Action Plan; • to increase or decrease the amount to be expended on a particular activity from the amount stated in the one-
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year Annual Action Plan by more than 50%; • to change the purpose, scope, specific location or beneficiaries of an activity that was included and approved
in the one-year Annual Action Plan.
Annual Action Plan
AP-15 Expected Resources - 91.220(c)(1,2)
Introduction: This section provides an overview of the potential resources available for programs that benefit Oak Ridge residents. This section does not include the CDBG Entitlement funds. The City of Oak Ridge and community non-profits consistently search for funding sources through grant opportunities, community organizations and other philanthropic groups.
Currently there are areas within the city limits of Oak Ridge that qualify for low-income tax credits which are being utilized by private developers. The City of Oak Ridge does not have an activity utilizing low-income tax credits at this time.
State of Tennessee Programs The City of Oak Ridge began contracting the operation of a demand response van transit system during February 1993. The City’s current contractor for operating the transit system is East Tennessee Human Resources Agency (ETHRA). The City of Oak Ridge appropriated $213,125 for this program in addition to a Taxi Cab Coupon program in the amount of $55,000 in the FY2020 budget. The primary source of revenue for this program has been a special one-cent-per-gallon inspection fee levied on all petroleum products bought, sold or stored in the state, and an operating assistance grant from the State of Tennessee, Department of Transportation (TDOT).
City General Fund Resources:
Housing Initiatives – COR General Fund Oak Ridge City Council approved the FY2020 budget authorizing that $132,500 be allocated to the Housing Initiatives Budget. Housing Initiative became the primary funding source for Code Enforcement Actions to include acquisition of properties not otherwise eligible for CDGB funding.
Social Services Program The City of Oak Ridge budgeted $162,895 (ADFAC) during FY2020 for the Social Services. The program was developed to assist City residents with short-term housing and prescription drug needs. Assistance guidelines were adopted by the Oak Ridge City Council in the Social Services Policy and include payments for rent, utilities for eligible Oak Ridge residents.
Healthy Start Program The City of Oak Ridge FY2020 budget contains an appropriation for $26,850 as a grant for the Healthy Start Program. This program assists first time mothers who are assessed as “at risk” of not being an effective parent due to family history and the mother’s current status. The program provides assistance using Family Support Workers who visit participating families in their homes at least weekly for three to five years, or until the child starts school.
Capital Improvement Programs (CIP) Every year, city of Oak Ridge staff prepares a Capital Improvements Program (CIP) that provides detailed information on capital projects for the upcoming six-year period (FY2016-FY2021). The capital projects are to maintain and enhance city facilities, parks, utility infrastructure and streets. The amount included in the CIP for FY2020 for these programs totals $38,781,966 Funding for all capital projects is provided by several agencies within the federal and state governments and funding resources by the City of Oak Ridge.
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Affordable Housing Fee Adjustments In order to facilitate the provision of affordable housing in the City of Oak Ridge, zoning and permit fees are adjusted for residential construction (including renovation) projects.
Priority Table
IDIS Table - 5
Source of Funds: CDBG-CV Source: Public-Federal Uses of Funds: Emergency response for the prevention and preparation for the COVID-19 Pandemic
Annual Allocation PY2019: $239,094
1st CARES Act Amendment: $139,339
2nd CARES Act Amendment: Program Income:
$232,681 $0.00
Prior Year Resources: Expected Amount Available
$226,438.64 Remainder of Con Plan: $76,070.05
2014-2017 funds
Explain how federal funds will leverage those additional resources (private, state and local funds), including a description of how matching requirements will be satisfied: No Federal funds will be leveraged.
If appropriate, describe publically owned land or property located within the jurisdiction that may be used to address the needs identified in the plan: As of February, 2019 - 31 properties are held by the City of Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Land Bank, Inc. City Council has established goals and objectives to prioritize the disposition of properties currently held that support the needs identified in this plan as follows:
• Develop programs and partnerships that promote owner occupied housing, new home ownership, and encourage private investment;
• Return property acquisitions to viable tax producing status as soon as practical; • Acquire residential and commercial property through foreclosures, donations, and negotiations in strategic locations
that create a stabilizing impact on adjacent property and residential neighborhoods; • Establish a streamlined procedure that provides tax benefits and incentives for residents and absentee owners to
consider dedicating property to the Oak Ridge Land Bank; • Determine highest and best use of acquired property, which when privatized, will maximize return on investment,
and consideration may also be given for properties to be used for municipal purposes; • Through acquisitions, property management, investments, and property sales, develop a business model that is
financially sustainable and encourages environmental stewardship;
City of Oak Ridge Annual Action Plan PY19/FY20 Page | 15
• Partner with the City of Oak Ridge, Anderson County, the Oak Ridge Housing Authority, and non-profit organizations to ensure actions do not duplicate existing efforts or create deterrents to home ownership or environmental code compliance
Discussion: No Further Discussion
AP-20 Annual Goals and Objectives - 91.220(c)(3)&(e)
List of goals on page 15
Estimate the number of extremely low-income, low-income, and moderate-income families to whom the jurisdiction will provide affordable housing as defined by HOME 91.215(b) Many older and affordable homes in Oak Ridge available to low or moderate-income residents require some type of financing or subsidy when purchasing a home, which includes inspection of the home prior to purchase. Methods to address the barriers to affordable housing are stated in AP-75:
• Use of innovative approaches and cooperative partnerships with other public agencies and private organizations to meet the need for new affordable housing.
• Promote housing rehabilitation programs for older homes so that an increased number of houses meet the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code or other programs available through the City's Non-Profit housing partners.
It is estimated that 6 new affordable housing units will be constructed between the Oak Ridge Land Bank and Non-Profit partners along with 10 renovations by the City of Oak Ridge - THDA HOME Program.
AP-35 Projects - 91.220(d)
*Introduction: The Manhattan District Overlay (MDO) is a historic district built by the Federal Government to house employees and their families during the Manhattan Project. These units were not intended to be permanent residential structures, but as the Project came to a close, the Federal Government sold all housing units to willing buyers. To date, many of these structures are still occupied and have had few improvements. The MDO area includes the following neighborhoods: Highland View, Scarboro, East Village and Woodland.
IDIS Table - 6
5. ADFAC COVID-19 Rent, Mortgage, Utility assistance 6. Public Facility Enhancements for continuity of essential services 7. COVID-19 Unbudgeted Expense Reimbursements 8. Air filtration units 9. Wastewater testing
City of Oak Ridge Annual Action Plan PY19/FY20 Page | 16
Below is a table that provides a summary of the City’s PY19/FY20 Project/Goals for the CDBG program.
Sort
Order
Goal Name Start
Year
End
Year
Category Geographic
Area
Addresses Funding Goal Outcome
Indicator
1 Removal of
vacant blighted
housing
July
2019
June
2020
Acquisition and
demolition --
community
development
Within the
Manhattan
District Overlay
(MDO)
Prevent
Eliminate
Slum/Blight
Allocation
$10,000
Improvement,
stabilization, and
revitalization of
neighborhoods in
the MDO district
2 Neighborhood
Improvement
Projects
July
2019
June
2020
Non-housing Within the
Manhattan
District Overlay
(MDO)
Activities
Benefitting
L/M
Area
$165,000 Provide/Upgrade
neighborhood public
spaces, sidewalks,
Public Parks &
Transportation
access and
infrastructure
3 Rehabilitation
of MDO Homes
July
2019
June
2020
Housing
community
development,
non- homeless
community
development
Within the
Manhattan
District Overlay
(MDO)
Activities
Benefitting
L/M
Area
$60,000 Provide supporting
funds to City THDA
Home Program and
other essential
service repairs for
elderly and LM
Households
4 Grant
Administration
July
2019
June
2020
Non-housing
community
development
200 S. Tulane
Ave
$4,094 Provide funding and
training for CDBG
admin to ensure
compliance with
program- related
HUD regulations
PY19/FY20 Allocation TOTAL: $239,094
• Funds from 2014 – 2015 = $64,436.68 will be allocated as needed to supplement the above listed projects
Activities funded with 2019 grant funds in the Regular Grant Cycle and with CDBG-CV funding <PROPOSED>
Activity Organization Original Funding Amended
Amount
(246) Removal of Vacant & Blight City of Oak Ridge 10,000
(247) Neighborhood Improvement Projects City of Oak Ridge 165,000
(248) Rehabilitation of MDO Homes City of Oak Ridge 60,000
(249) Grant Administration City of Oak Ridge 4,094
1st CARES Act Amendment City of Oak Ridge 139,339
City of Oak Ridge Annual Action Plan PY19/FY20 Page | 17
2nd CARES Act Amendment Proposed Activities
Activity Organization National Objective
Amount
(254) Air Filtration Purification Units City of Oak Ridge Urgent Need 50,000
(255) Public Facility Enhancements City of Oak Ridge Urgent Need 150,000 (252) Reimbursement of COVID-19 Costs City of Oak Ridge Urgent Need 32,681
CV3 allocation: $ 232,681
Total of all CARES Act allocations: $372,020
Describe the reasons for allocation priorities and any obstacles to addressing underserved needs: Due to Oak Ridge's WWII era housing and the legacy neighborhoods design, core housing stock and infrastructure have been deteriorating at the same rate. A significant number of these residential and commercial structures have become blighted and/or vacant which leads to their eventual dilapidation due to neglect. The remaining occupied dwellings have increasingly become rentals and public assistance housing. The effort to acquire and remove dilapidated housing is vital to neighborhood stabilization that is not otherwise occurring in the open market. Because MDO properties are part of the historic Manhattan Project, mitigating the adverse effect identified by the SHPO 106 process have become very time consuming and cumbersome thus causing excessive delays in the removal of dilapidated housing.
AP-50 Geographic Distribution - 91.220(f)
Description of the geographic areas of the entitlement (including areas of low-income and minority concentration) where assistance will be directed The City of Oak Ridge is concentrating its revitalization efforts within the Manhattan District Overlay (MDO). The MDO is a historic district where the majority of the structure were originally built by the Federal Government in the early 1940s to house employees and their families during the Manhattan Project. Many of these units were not intended to be permanent residential structures, but as the Project came to a close, the Federal Government sold all housing units to willing buyers. To date, the majority of these structures are still occupied and many need improvements. The MDO area includes the following neighborhoods: Highland View, Scarboro, East Village and Woodland.
This area is in the north central part of the city, much of which is along a ridge known as Black Oak Ridge. The borders for this area are Outer Drive and West Outer Drive to the north and much of the housing south to Oak Ridge Turnpike (but not all). The eastern border is East Drive at the eastern city limits. The western border at Outer Drive is Jefferson Avenue. There is also a portion to the west that runs between Robertsville Road and Oak Ridge Turnpike. The southern portion also includes the Woodland Neighborhoods, which is between Lafayette Drive to the east and South Illinois Avenue to North and South Purdue Avenue. Manhattan Avenue bisects this area. The Scarboro Neighborhood lies west of Woodland and is historically a black community.
COVID-19 CARES ACT 2nd Amendment activities distributed as needed to meet or exceed intended National Objectives.
City of Oak Ridge Annual Action Plan PY19/FY20 Page | 18
Geographic Distribution
Rationale for the priorities for allocating investments geographically Graph: "Specific Areas Low Income and Minority Populations" The areas shaded above indicate the Census Block Groups within the City of Oak Ridge in which the median household income is below $30,000 per year. Block Group 020500-2 is roughly bound by West Outer Drive, Highland Avenue, Robertsville Road, and North Illinois Avenue. Block Group 020100-2 is roughly bound by the Oak Ridge Turnpike, Vanderbilt Drive, South Illinois Avenue, Tuskegee Drive, D O E North Patrol Road, and the Anderson/Roane County line. Census Block Group 020400-2 (shaded in red) is roughly bound by West Outer Drive, New York Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue, Hillside Drive and Highland Avenue. Census Block Group 020100-1 (shaded in yellow) is an irregularly-shaped area. Its north portion is roughly bound by the Oak Ridge Turnpike, Lafayette Drive, North Purdue Avenue, South Illinois Avenue, and East Vanderbilt Drive. Its south portion is roughly bounded by Tuskegee Drive, South Illinois Avenue, and the D O E North Patrol Road.
Discussion 100% of all CDBG funds are invested into the defined MDO neighborhoods/target areas with exception of minimal associated Grant Administration costs.
AP-55 Affordable Housing - 91.220(g)
Introduction: There will always be a difference in the City of Oak Ridge's goals and actual numbers with regards to the number of homeless who were provided affordable housing units due to the current non-profit agencies that directly assist the City in providing services to the homeless. The City of Oak Ridge's primary mechanism to assist homeless individuals and families is Trinity Out-Reach Center for Hope (TORCH). TORCH primarily uses Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding from Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA). ADFAC and Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County produces affordable housing units on properties purchased by City CDBG funds. After the City transfers properties to the Oak Ridge Land Bank (ORLB), they are often donated or sold at very low rates to assist non-profit housing partners to provide affordable housing units. ORLB also works with contractors to provide new affordable owner occupied housing units.
City of Oak Ridge Annual Action Plan PY19/FY20 Page | 19
IDIS Table - 8
Discussion: The City of Oak Ridge recognizes the need for affordable housing and wants to either facilitate or directly assist
everyone who is in need, particularly the homeless and those with special needs. It is also recognized that there are
partners that specialize in this effort who really need the City's support instead of the City competing within the same
neighborhoods. There have been planning meetings between non-profits and the City to identify and reduce the
number of duplicated services. Future annual action plans will continue to reduce blight and provide safe, livable
neighborhoods while supporting our housing partners to assist the homeless and create new affordable housing.
AP-60 Public Housing - 91.220(h)
Introduction: Residents of the City of Oak Ridge are served by the Oak Ridge Housing Authority (ORHA), which was incorporated September 5, 1969 under the “Housing Authorities Law” Chapters 8 through 11 Title 13 TCA Sections 801 through 1113. ORHA has several Capital Fund Projects currently in the works or planned for the coming year. These projects include new roofs for two sites, solar for the ORHA administrative building, replacement of meter bases, and replacement of toilets with low-flow models. ORHA also plans to begin affordable housing projects within the City to address the need for affordable housing.
Actions planned during the next year to address the needs to public housing: The Oak Ridge Housing Authority (ORHA) is again currently looking for a new Executive Director. The City of Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Land Bank have formed a new partnership to create the development arm of ORHA known as Oak Ridge Housing Authority Development Corporation (ORHADC). It is the goal of all partners to create a mix of public housing, affordable housing and market housing in the Highland View neighborhood. An effort to revitalize the Highland View redevelopment initiative is beginning to take shape. ORHADC plans to construct three (3) new owner occupied homes on Waddell Place that was donated by the Land Bank. ORHA has a healthy public housing inventory to which the City of Oak Ridge regularly refers potential residents for their public housing program. Actions taken to address the needs of public housing in the City include providing admission based on eligibility and providing preferences to the follow groups of people:
City of Oak Ridge Annual Action Plan PY19/FY20 Page | 20
- Working families and those unable to work because of age or disability - Individuals and families displaced by government action - Individuals and families displaced by HCV holders due to lack of funding - Veterans, disabled persons
- Individuals who lost employment due to downsizing as a prevention to homelessness ORHA’s new Development arm will present residents with more homeownership options. ORHA also plans to have its FSS coordinator receive training in homeownership counseling, and provide this service to its residents seeking homeownership. ORHA continues to engage residents in work with the housing authority, currently ORHA employs 3 residents.
Actions to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and participate in homeownership: The Oak Ridge Housing Authority provides self-sufficiency through their Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS). Through this program, ORHA has disbursed over $30,000.00 in Escrow to 16 families in five years who are no longer reliant on public housing because they have gone through several trainings to provide them with skills to save and secure their own financial security. ORHA’s new Development arm will present residents with more homeownership options. ORHA also plans to have its FSS coordinator receive training in homeownership counseling, and provide this service to its residents seeking homeownership. ORHA continues to engage residents in work with the housing authority, currently ORHA employs 3 residents.
If the PHA is designated as troubled, describe the manner in which financial assistance will be provided or other assistance: The Oak Ridge Housing Authority is not designated as "troubled".
Discussion: There have been no formal actions taken to assist the ORHA based on repairing troubled PHA’s. The City and its housing
partners however are very involved in the creation of ORHA’s first development corporation. This is a ground-breaking
effort for Oak Ridge and the Housing Authority. Everyone is working in good faith to make this redevelopment effort
successful.
AP-65 Homeless and Other Special Needs Activities - 91.220(i)
Introduction: In the 2018-2019 fiscal year approximately 212 adults to include 81 children were identified in Anderson County as literally homeless, meaning that they were staying outside, on the streets, in a car, or were being sheltered. Approximately 80% of these were in Oak Ridge.
The homeless population in Oak Ridge is a heterogeneous group, which includes single individuals, families with children, and unaccompanied runaway and homeless youth. It is recognized that solving the problem of homelessness requires a combination of homeless prevention, homeless outreach, housing services, affordable housing and wrap around support services to insure once someone obtains housing they retain housing.
The city does not provide any direct funding to assist with homeless projects, but did provide funding to ADFAC for rent assistance.
Describe the jurisdictions one-year goals and actions for reducing and ending homelessness including: Reaching out to homeless persons (especially unsheltered persons) and assessing their individual needs: The City of Oak Ridge will continue to provide technical assistance and support to the Trinity Out-Reach Center of Hope (referred to as TORCH). TORCH provides street outreach to those who are homeless. Using their ESG funded Street Outreach program, they seek to locate and provide services to those living in their cars, on the street or in shelter. Those
City of Oak Ridge Annual Action Plan PY19/FY20 Page | 21
who are homeless may also meet with a case manager at their Outreach Office without an appointment. Street Outreach services are provided by one part time case manager and 3 volunteers. During FY19/FY20, 140 individuals are expected to be assisted with face to face outreach services. Another 500 individuals who may be homeless or are precariously housed will be assisted by telephone. TORCH has applied for $11,000 for 2019 to be used to fund Homeless Outreach programs.
The city recognizes and supports other agencies who come in contact with or serve the homeless as well such as Agape House, Ridgeview, Helen Ross McNabb Center, Aid to Distressed Families, the Oak Ridge School System, local churches, and others routinely communicate and exchange referrals.
The city will support the efforts of the COC-Tennessee Valley Coalition for the Homeless and TORCH as they implement the coordinated assessment system in Oak Ridge, a system which was developed to reduce the amount of time a person identified as homeless receives services.
Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons. Oak Ridge does not currently have a homeless shelter. The city lends its support and technical assistance to the efforts of TORCH who provide emergency hotel vouchers for families who are staying outside with a child, or those suffering from a severe disability. Approximately $15,000 is allocated for this program per year, however in 2018 this program exceeded this budget by almost $20,000 for a total of approximately $35,000. There are no grants that pay for these vouchers. TORCH funds these vouchers 100% with donations collected throughout the year. The city also recognizes the contributions of other local resources such as the Agape House, which provides temporary transitional housing for up to 2 families at a time. Apart from these services, transitional housing is available through Ridgeview for up to 8 individuals who suffer from a mental illness. Lastly, local YWCA uses scattered site transitional housing vouchers to house those who are homeless due to domestic violence. In 2018, approximately 27 families were recipients of these vouchers.
Helping homeless persons (especially chronically homeless individuals and families, families with children, veterans and their families, and unaccompanied youth) make the transition to permanent housing and independent living, including shortening the period of time that individuals and families experience homelessness, facilitating access for homeless individuals and families to affordable housing units, and preventing individuals and families who were recently homeless from becoming homeless again: In 2018 the city assisted in the creation of a system whereby clients who are homeless are given a preference when applying for income-based housing at the Oak Ridge Housing Authority. This is expected to shorten the time a homeless individual is on a wait list for public housing. The city will continue to monitor the success of this initiative over the coming year.
The City of Oak Ridge also lends support and technical assistance to TORCH, who utilizes ESG funding to operate their Rapid Rehousing program. This program is currently staffed by 2 full time employees (Director) and several volunteers. Families with children and the disabled are given preference for these services, but individuals are frequently enrolled as well. For 2019, TORCH has applied for $70,000 to operate this program. Approximately 45 households received transitioned from homelessness into permanent housing with ESG Rapid Rehousing assistance. It is expected that 55 households will receive housing utilizing rapid rehousing funds in 2018. (These numbers have decreased from last year due to the fact that TORCH was previously only providing move in assistance for only one month. To decrease recidivism TORCH now provides longer term rental assistance, but number of total families assisted decreased as a result.) TORCH also receives funding through a partnership with the United Way that provides additional case management and financial support once a household has obtained housing to insure that the household does not become homeless again.
The city recognizes that in Oak Ridge veterans may apply for HUD-Vash Vouchers directly from the Veteran’s Administration in Knoxville, which issues vouchers for our area. Victims of The city also recognizes that Domestic Violence victim are served by the YWCA in Knoxville, which provides outreach workers to service our area. TORCH can provide linkage to these agencies through their Outreach services.
City of Oak Ridge Annual Action Plan PY19/FY20 Page | 22
Helping low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless, especially extremely low-income individuals and families and those who are: being discharged from publicly funded institutions and systems of care (such as health care facilities, mental health facilities, foster care and other youth facilities, and corrections programs and institutions); or, receiving assistance from public or private agencies that address housing, health, social services, employment, education, or youth needs. Aid For Distressed Families Social Services program provides assistance emphasis on the prevention of homelessness and the development of self-sufficiency. They are the primary provider of assistance those seeking help with past due utility bills, and rent/mortgage assistance to prevent an eviction that might lead to homelessness. ADFAC also provides short term counseling to help those who might need help understanding budgeting and finance.
Discussion: No further discussion
AP-75 Action Plan Barriers to Affordable Housing - 91.220(j)
Introduction: The regulations for the Annual Action Plan require an explanation of whether the cost of housing or the incentives to develop, maintain or improve affordable housing are negatively affected by public policies, including tax policies, land use controls, zoning ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limits and policies that affect the return on residential development.
Actions it planned to remove or ameliorate the negative effects of public policies that serve as barriers to affordable housing such as land use controls, tax policies affecting land, zoning ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limitations, and policies affecting the return on residential investment: The City of Oak Ridge has and continues to be actively involved in issues concerning the housing market. The adoption and enforcement of zoning and subdivision regulations and building codes has shaped the growth of neighborhoods and influenced the design, quality, and cost of the community’s housing stock. The Community Development Department administers these policies, which have made Oak Ridge a planned and livable city. During the last several years, City of Oak Ridge officials and staff have been determined to reduce the perception that the regulations and policies are detrimental to residents and residential developers. These policies and the methods to reduce the barriers to affordable, quality housing include:
• Building codes and standards – The City of Oak Ridge has adopted the 2018 International Building Code and International Residential Code as published by the International Code Council
• Building permits and fees – The City of Oak Ridge has an administrative policy D-200 titled Fees and Municipal Services and Supplies Section 2.110, Affordable Housing Fee Adjustments eliminates any zoning fees, moving fee and demolition fee and reduces to $25.00 the permit fees. Item a, of Section 2.110 will be updated to reference the CDBG target areas utilizing data from the most recent U.S. Census
• Property tax abatement – City Council approved a resolution authorizing a local option property tax freeze program for taxpayers 65 years of age or older based on income and ownership of eligible property and other guidelines as set forth in the resolution.
• Increasing knowledge of available programs and resources – The City of Oak Ridge will continue efforts to communicate information concerning available programs and resources through the website and newspaper notices and articles.
• Nationwide affordable housing trends - The private housing market does not generally provide new or updated affordable housing without some type of subsidy or incentive and older housing units that are affordable often have physical problems that make the units ineligible for financing from private lending institutions.
● Property Maintenance – The City of Oak Ridge continues to enforce the 2012 International Property Maintenance code. This is a minimal property standard that does not often change which reduces confusion as to what rules apply when maintaining both residential and commercial properties.
City of Oak Ridge Annual Action Plan PY19/FY20 Page | 23
Discussion: In addition to these barriers, many older and affordable homes in Oak Ridge available to low or moderate-income residents require some type of financing or subsidy when purchasing a home, which includes inspection of the home prior to purchase. Methods to address the barriers to affordable housing that are stated above include:
• Use of innovative approaches and cooperative partnerships with other public agencies and private organizations to meet the need for new affordable housing.
• Promote housing rehabilitation programs for older homes so that an increased number of houses meet the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code.
AP-85 Other Actions - 91.220(k)
Introduction: Planning has been central to the development of the City of Oak Ridge from the very beginning. Early in its history as the centerpiece of the Manhattan Project in World War II, a plan for the development of the city was prepared by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. A planning commission was established and staff employed when the city was transferred to civilian control and became a public entity after the war. Since then a variety of long range plans and policy documents have been developed. The adoption of a zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations were important milestones along the way. Public guidance of land development activities has become a routine part of local government activity in Oak Ridge. The completed City Blue Print process is all about resident empowerment, neighborhood stabilization and revitalization, pedestrian mobility and public safety. Resident empowerment strategies will focus on employment and life skills training, increasing educational attainment, youth programming to reduce gang and criminal activity. The neighborhood stabilization strategy will focus on reducing the number of deteriorated and vacant/abandoned properties, encouraging resident involvement in neighborhoods, increasing owner-occupied units, and decreasing highly concentrated areas of rentals. Pedestrian mobility and public safety strategies will include improved sidewalks, access to public transportation, community policing, improving crime analysis, and increasing resident engagement.
Actions planned to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs: One of the key obstacles to meeting the underserved needs in the City of Oak Ridge is lack of adequate funding or other non-financial resources to adequately address a particular problem. Insufficient funding precludes the City from appropriately addressing every worthy project and often includes allocating funding at less than an optimal amount.
The City does not fund programs which duplicate the work of other programs.
Non-financial resource limitations include insufficient numbers of trained volunteers or staff to provide expertise and support for programs and language barriers. The City will also partner with the non-profits and others to consolidate resources. The City is part of the TVCOC which works to consolidate resources, financial and non-financial, to meet the needs of all East Tennessee.
Actions planned to foster and maintain affordable housing: The City of Oak Ridge will continue to regulate residential rental property using the Rental Registration Program in the MDO target area which has the highest concentration of rental property. Property Maintenance and other environmental code enforcement actions to improve the quality of life in all city neighborhoods are one of the highest priorities to maintain desirable and affordable housing. The Community Development Department and Non-Profit partners will continue to seek new funding opportunities along with existing sources to assist in rehabilitation of homes and encourage construction of new affordable houses in older neighborhoods. The Oak Ridge Land Bank and Oak Ridge Housing Authority have also agreed to partner in development opportunities that will create new affordable housing units in underdeveloped areas.
City of Oak Ridge Annual Action Plan PY19/FY20 Page | 24
Actions planned to reduce lead-based paint hazards: Childhood lead based paint poisoning is a significant problem nationally. On September 15, 2000, HUD regulation (24 CFR Part 35) took effect streamlining, modernizing and consolidating all lead-based paint requirements in federally- assisted housing to ensure that children are adequately protected from lead poisoning. The regulation prescribes certain action by HUD grantees to identify, stabilize or remove lead-based paint hazards in any housing receiving HUD assistance.
The rule only affects residential structures built before 1978. The scope of activities required by HUD is dependent upon the type of housing impacted and the amount of federal assistance being provided, with rehabilitation activities using in excess of $25,000 of HUD funds requiring the highest level of treatment.
The City of Oak Ridge includes a detailed and strict requirement in the CDBG sub recipient agreements pertaining to the treatment of lead-based paint. The article of the sub recipient agreement specifies the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act and the HUD Lead-Based Paint Regulations. The City of Oak Ridge also verifies with all sub recipients that information concerning lead-based paint hazards is provided to their clients. Matt Widner, the Housing Remediation Specialist, is certified as an EPA Lead Inspector. He is certified & licensed to conduct all lead-based paint initial inspections and risk assessments.
The City of Oak Ridge and partners will continue to address the hazards of lead-based paint in the activities receiving HUD funding, in compliance with the prescribed regulations and for the health, safety and welfare of our citizens.
Actions planned to reduce the number of poverty-level families: The City’s primary tools to address poverty are currently limited to tax policies, social service programs, housing assistance and economic development programs. When these are combined with the provision of life safety programs such as police and fire protection and the construction and maintenance of city infrastructure (streets, parks and utilities) they help create the kind of environment where citizens can concentrate on positive life activities and outcomes (working, taking care of themselves, their families and their property).
The City, in conjunction with other public agencies and private organizations, will seek to provide very low- and low- income households with various opportunities to gain the knowledge, skills and motivation to become fully self- sufficient. The City of Oak Ridge will continue to pursue resources and innovative partnerships to promote the development of affordable housing, assist with strategies that help with homeless prevention, provide emergency assistance, support health services and transportation; all with the intent of building a community that is empowered to provide a constructive quality of life for all its citizens.
Actions planned to develop institutional structure: A requirement of the Annual Action Plan is to describe the organizations that assist the City of Oak Ridge to provide the housing and community development-related programs. Institutional structure is defined as the private, public and non- profit organizations through which a jurisdiction will carry out the Consolidated Plan activities. City of Oak Ridge staff and officials, non-profit organizations, businesses, faith-based organizations, neighborhood groups and citizens are all vital partners in the housing and community development delivery system.
The Knoxville HUD Community Planning and Development (CPD) office provides advice and assistance with statutory and regulatory requirements and technical assistance for the CDBG entitlement program. The Knoxville HUD CPD office also helps with marketing and outreach efforts to promote community development and affordable housing in the East Tennessee region. The Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) provides advice and assistance with statutory and regulatory requirements for the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program. The City of Oak Ridge is also a member of the applicable HUD Continuum of Care (COC) for our region: TN-512, Claiborne, Blount, Sevier, Campbell, Cocke, Granger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Monroe, Union, and Anderson Counties. The Tennessee Valley Coalition for the Homeless, a regional non-profit, leads our CoC and provides training, outreach and access to other services and data. One example of a benefit from partnering with the CoC is access to regional data in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). This information helps the City understand the extent and type of resident need in the community.
City of Oak Ridge Annual Action Plan PY19/FY20 Page | 25
Actions planned to enhance coordination between public and private housing and social service agencies: The City of Oak Ridge Community Development Specialist or a backup staff person attend monthly TVCOC meetings and coordinates between various public and private agencies that are in attendance as well as other local agencies to better understand the state of our housing situation from an individual family level to an overarching community wide level. In addition to the TVCOC coordination, there are newly formed relationships between the Oak Ridge Housing Authority (ORHA), Oak Ridge Land Bank (ORLB), the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce and the City of Oak Ridge who all believe that housing is one of the most critical issues that face the city today. Public meetings regularly reveal that citizens all feel they are concerned about their neighborhoods and attribute the declining housing stock as a major factor in their safety concerns.
The City of Oak Ridge uses CDBG entitlement funds along with the City’s general fund dollars to assist with HUD’s national goals of the CDBG program. Leadership begins with the City’s elected officials and the approval of the Annual Action Plan activities.
Effective program delivery would not be possible without the coordination of Federal, State and local partners. The City of Oak Ridge staff and officials rely on the area non- profit organizations (social service agencies), as well as state and federal officials to provide insight with respect to the needs of our residents. The non-profit organizations in our community are vital partners for the delivery of services and programs to Oak Ridge residents. The organizations throughout the region and particularly here in Oak Ridge work and coordinate together to provide necessary resources to everyone in Oak Ridge who is need of them.
The Knoxville HUD office is also a valuable resource that provides advice and assistance with statutory and regulatory requirements, technical assistance, and training for staff and officials to better understand the CDBG entitlement program. The Knoxville HUD office also helps with marketing and outreach efforts to promote community development and affordable housing for the region.
City of Oak Ridge residents appreciate the dedicated service and support of their state and federal elected officials.
Discussion: The City of Oak Ridge uses a CDBG committee approach instead of assigning one staff member and/or one department with the full responsibility for the CDBG program. The City’s internal CDBG committee generally reviews all CDBG program activities and makes recommendations to the City Manager for his evaluation and prioritization to City Council.
This Annual Action Plan 2018 – 2019 reflects input by city staff, officials, non- profit agencies and residents. The Community Development Department was tasked with the responsibility of conducting public meetings, collecting data, documenting the process and drafting the Annual Action Plan.
AP-90 Program Specific Requirements - 91.220(l)(1,2,4)
Introduction: The City of Oak Ridge does not generate Program Income from CDBG grant.
IDIS Table - 9
Discussion: No further discussion
APPENDIX
A. SF 424 & Certifications
B. Public Notices
C. Fair Housing, Community Development
D. 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service
NUMBER
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE PY2019/FY2020 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN TO INCORPORATE $232,681.00 OF ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) ENTITLEMENT FUNDS FOR PY2019/FY2020.
WHEREAS, by Resolution 7-75-2019, City Council approved the PY2019/FY2020 Annual Action Plan and approved proposed allocations of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement funds from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for PY2019/FY2020 in the estimated amount of $239,094.00; and,
WHEREAS, by Resolution 7-73-2020, City Council approved an amendment to the PY2019/FY2020 Annual Action Plan to include additional funding from the first CARES Act in the amount of $139,339.00; and,
WHEREAS, additional CARES Act funds are available to the City in the amount of $232,681.00 to help combat the effects of COVID-19; and,
WHEREAS, acceptance of such funds requires a second amendment to thePY2019/FY2020 Annual Action Plan; and,
WHEREAS, the required public comment period was held from May 17 to May 21, 2021; and,
WHEREAS, the City Manager recommends approval of the Proposed Substantial Amendment to the PY2019/FY2020 Annual Action Plan and proposed funding allocations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE:
That the recommendation of the City Manager is approved and the Proposed Substantial Amendment to the PY2019/FY2020 Annual Action Plan, which incorporates the use of an additional $232,681.00 in funding to combat the effects of COVID-19, is hereby approved.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that following proposed allocations of Community Development Block Grant Entitlement for PY2019/FY2020 for COVID-19 response are hereby approved:
(254) Air Filtration Purification Units $ 50,000 (Reimbursement) (255) Public Facility Enhancements $150,000 (Reimbursement) (252) Reimbursement of COVID-19 Costs $ 32,681
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and/or City Manager are hereby authorized to execute the appropriate legal instruments to accomplish the same.
This 14th day of June 2021.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Tammy M. Dunn, City Attorney Warren L. Gooch, Mayor
Mary Beth Hickman, City Clerk
DATE: June 14, 2021
TO: Mark S. Watson, City Manager
FROM: Janice McGinnis , Finance Director
SUBJECT: Adoption of the Appropriation Ordinance for FY2022
AGENDA ID: IX.aOAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
Introduction An item for City Council’s consideration is the fiscal 2022 Budget Appropriation Ordinancereflecting appropriations for the various City Funds as presented in the proposed budgetdocument. The presented property tax rate is $2.3136 per $100 of assessed valuation asoutlined in Section 2 of the Ordinance, which is the same property tax rate as fiscal 2021. Background The appropriation ordinance reflects the budgeted expenditures of City and School Fundsincluding debt servicing, utility funds and special revenue funds of $232,802,673. Of thisamount, the General Fund budget represents $30,455,874 for municipal expenditures. For fiscal 2022, the Oak Ridge Schools have requested an operating transfer from the City atthe same level as fiscal 2021 at $15,493,963. First reading of the appropriation ordinance will occur at the June 7, 2021 City Councilmeeting, with second reading occurring the following Monday, June 14, 2021. The City hasadvertised for two (2) public hearings to occur as part of the consideration of the ordinancewith the June 14, 2021 public hearing serving as the official Charter requirement. Recommendation Adoption of the attached ordinance is recommended. Attachments:Appropriations_Ordinance_Beginning-FY_2022 (4).doc
ORDINANCE NO.___________TITLE
AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE REVENUE FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2021, BY IMPOSING A TAX ON ALL PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY, FIXING THE RATE OF THE TAX, ADOPTING A BUDGET, AND ADOPTING APPROPRIATIONS.
WHEREAS, the City Manager, in accordance with the requirements of Article V, Section 10, of the Charter of the City of Oak Ridge, has submitted to City Council a proposed budget prior to the beginning of the fiscal year upon which a public hearing was held on June 7, 2021 and June 14, 2021 as required by law; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the requirements of the same Charter section, the Council held meetings which served to provide guidance to the City Manager on the preparation of the proposed budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE:
Section 1. The budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 submitted to City Council by the City Manager, is hereby adopted.
Section 2. In order to provide revenue for municipal purposes, there is hereby imposed on the value of all property within the City of Oak Ridge as such value has been ascertained by the taxing authority of the City, a levy at the rate of $2.3136 upon each One Hundred Dollars' ($100.00) worth of assessed value of all taxable property, this levy to be the tax rate for the year 2021. This levy shall also be imposed upon such assessments as may be certified for tax purposes to the City of Oak Ridge by the Public Service Commission of the State of Tennessee.
Section 3. In accordance with Article V, Section 13, of the Charter of the City of Oak Ridge, the following amounts shall be and hereby are adopted as appropriations by funds for the operation of the City of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for Fiscal Year 2022:
General Fund, Municipal Operations $ 30,455,874
Debt Service (Bond and Interest Redemption Fund) $ 9,481,883
State Street Aid Fund $ 2,544,000
Drug Enforcement Program Fund $ 255,200
General Purpose School Fund $ 77,006,178
Capital Projects Fund $ 36,816,832
Solid Waste Fund $ 2,548,065
Section 4. The following amounts in the proprietary-type funds are projected expenses for Fiscal Year 2022 and are provided for informational purposes:
Electric Fund $ 52,296,765
Waterworks Fund $ 20,560,531
Emergency Communications District Fund $ 837,345
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Section 5. In order to provide funds to meet the expenditure requirements, the following transfers are projected for Fiscal Year 2022 and are provided for informational purposes:
To General Fund For Tax Equivalent
From Electric Fund $ 1,675,500
From Waterworks Fund $ 1,635,000
To General Purpose School Fund for Operations
From General Fund $ 15,493,963
To Debt Service Fund
From General Fund $ 4,970,000
From General Purpose School Fund $ 637,205
To Capital Projects Fund
From General Fund $ 1,000,000
To State Street Aid Fund
From General Fund $ 730,000
To Solid Waste Fund
From General Fund $ 315,000
Section 6. All proceeds received through fines, forfeitures and the disposal of seized goods resulting from the City's drug enforcement program shall be used exclusively for that program. A Special Revenue Fund has been established and any funds expended will be limited to the funds collected for that program.
Section 7. The taxes levied under this Ordinance shall become due and payable, shall become delinquent and shall be subject to penalties, the execution of distress warrants and sale of property levied upon as provided by law.
Section 8. The levy provided for herein shall be imposed on all taxable property as the same has been reported to the Council as a final total assessment of each class of property by the legally constituted Boards of Equalization for property situated in either Anderson County or Roane County within the City of Oak Ridge. The written report of the Equalization Boards shall be the assessment roll of the City of Oak Ridge.
Section 9. This Ordinance shall become effective ten (10) days after adoption on second reading, the welfare of the City of Oak Ridge requiring it.
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APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Tammy M. Dunn, City Attorney Warren L. Gooch, Mayor
Mary Beth Hickman, City Clerk
Publication Date: 05/24/2021Public Hearing: 06/07/2021First Reading: 06/07/2021Publication Date: 06/10/2021Public Hearing: _________ Second Reading: _________Publication Date: _________Effective Date: _________
DATE: June 14, 2021
TO: Mark S. Watson, City Manager
FROM: Jon Hetrick , Recreation & Parks Director
SUBJECT: Outdoor Pool Chlorine Supply FY2022
AGENDA ID: X.aOAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
IntroductionAn item for City Council consideration is approval to purchase Pulsar chlorinating briquettesfor the Outdoor Pool from Duffield Aquatics, Inc. of Anderson, SC in an amount not to exceed$60,0000. FundingFunding for this purchase has been requested in the FY2022 General Fund budget for theOutdoor Pool. Background
In 2019, a Pulsar chlorine briquette feeder system was installed and utilized at the OutdoorPool when the previously used gaseous chlorine supply was no longer available. SiguraWater, manufacturer of the Pulsar Chlorinating system, has advised the Recreation & ParksDepartment that Duffield Aquatics, Inc., is the sole source provider of Pulsar chlorinatingbriquettes. Pulsar chlorinating briquettes are required for the pool's chlorinating system tofunction.
Chlorine use at the outdoor pool can vary depending on environmental conditions, the numberof pool users, and water loss/replacement. Chlorine unit cost may also fluctuate as a result ofcurrent shortages in the chlorine supply nationally. The recommended purchase amount isonly an estimate; any unspent funds will remain in the General Fund. RecommendationStaff recommends approval of the attached resolution as submitted. The supplier is a SoleSource provider for the required chemical for operation of the outdoor pool. Attachments:2021-05-06 10-31 Sole Source.pdf Resolution - Chlorine.docx
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RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDS AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF CHLORINE BRIQUETTES FOR THE OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOL FROM DUFFIELD AQUATICS, INC., ANDERSON, SOUTH CAROLINA, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED$60,000.00.
WHEREAS, the Oak Ridge Municipal (Outdoor) Swimming Pool is in need of chlorine for continued safe pool operations; and,
WHEREAS, Duffield Aquatics, Inc., is the sole provider of Pulsar chlorinating briquettes, an item required for the Pool’s chlorinating system to function; and,
WHEREAS, Sigura Water, the manufacturer of the Pulsar chlorinating briquettes, has advised the City that Duffield Aquatics, Inc., is the sole source provider for our region; and,
WHEREAS, the City Manager recommends waiver of the bid process for this sole source purchase.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE:
That the recommendation of the City Manager to waive competitive bidding is approved, and award is hereby made to Duffield Aquatics, Inc., 113 Metro Drive, Anderson, South Carolina 29625 for the purchase of chlorine briquettes for use at the Oak Ridge Municipal (Outdoor) Swimming Pool in an amount not to exceed $60,000.00.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and/or City Manager are hereby authorizedto execute the appropriate legal instruments to accomplish the same.
This 14th day of June 2021.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Tammy M. Dunn, City Attorney Warren L. Gooch, Mayor
Mary Beth Hickman, City Clerk
DATE: June 14, 2021
TO: Mark S. Watson, City Manager
FROM: Janice McGinnis , Finance Director
SUBJECT: Initial Debt Resolution
AGENDA ID: X.bOAK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
Introduction An item for City Council’s consideration is the adoption of an initial debt resolution for theissuance of not to exceed $9,640,000 in General Obligation Bonds. The publication of theadopted initial resolution in the newspaper will start the 20-day period in which at least 10% ofthe registered voters in Oak Ridge may petition for a referendum on the issuance of this debt. Background The Bond Resolution for the issuance of this debt will come before City Council for adoption atthe July 12, 2021 City Council meeting.
Projects to be funded by this debt issuance include $5.9 million for the second phase of theenergy saving projects for school facilities being installed by Energy Systems Group (ESG).City Council approved intent to reimburse Resolution 1-8-21 at the January 11, 2021 CityCouncil meeting which allows the City to reimburse itself for expenditures up to $1.1 millionrelated to energy savings projects from a future debt issuance. City Council approvedResolution 2-11-2021 which authorized the City Manager to move forward with the ESGschool projects at the February 8, 2021 City Council meeting.
Other projects anticipated to be funded from these bond proceeds include roofs, in particularthe roof replacement at the Civic Center budgeted at just under $1.4 million in fiscal 2022,various building remodels and funding for electrical equipment anticipated to include switchesfor the rerouting of electrical power. Recommendation Staff recommends adoption of the attached Initial Bond Issuance Resolution. The Bonds areanticipated to be sold at competitive public sale in July with proceeds to be received in August. Attachments:Resolution - Initial Debt Resolution.DOCX
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NUMBER ______
RESOLUTION
INITIAL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED NINE MILLION SIX HUNDRED FORTY THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($9,640,000) GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE CITY OF OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE
BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Oak Ridge, Tennessee (the "Municipality") that for the purpose of financing, in whole or in part, (i) improvements and renovations to certain school facilities and other public buildings (including the civic center), including accessibility improvements, roof replacements, improvements to heating, air conditioning, ventilation and plumbing systems, and other improvements and related equipment for energy saving purposes; (ii) improvements to buildings used for the Municipality's electric department and equipment therefor, for use in connection with the Municipality's electric distribution system (the "System"); (iii) payment of architectural, engineering, legal, fiscal and administrative costs incident to the foregoing; (iv) reimbursement to the Municipality for funds previously expended for any of the foregoing; and (v) payment of the costs related to the issuance and sale of the bonds referenced therein, there shall be issued bonds, in one or more emissions of the Municipality, in theaggregate principal amount of not to exceed $9,640,000, which bonds shall bear interest at a rate or rates not to exceed five percent (5.00%) per annum. The bonds shall be payable from ad valorem taxes to be levied on all taxable property within the corporate limits of the Municipality. Any portion of the bonds designated by the Municipality as financing improvements to the System shall be additionally payable from but not secured by the revenues to be derived from the operation of the System.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk be, and is, hereby directed and instructed to cause the foregoing initial resolution relative to the issuance of not to exceed $9,640,000 general obligation bonds to be published in full in a newspaper having a general circulation in the Municipality, for one issue of said paper followed by the statutory notice:
N O T I C E
The foregoing resolution has been adopted. Unless within twenty (20) days from the date of publication hereof a petition signed by at least ten percent (10%) of the registered voters of the Municipality shall have been filed with the City Clerk of the Municipality protesting the issuance of the bonds, such bonds will be issued as proposed.
Beth Hickman, City Clerk
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Adopted and approved this 14th day of June, 2021.
APPROVED AS TO FORMAND LEGALITY:
_________________________________ __________________________________________Tammy Dunn, City Attorney Warren L. Gooch, Mayor
__________________________________________Beth Hickman, City Clerk
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STATE OF TENNESSEE )
COUNTY OF ANDERSON )
I, Beth Hickman, hereby certify that I am the duly qualified and acting City Clerk of the City of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and as such official I further certify that attached hereto is a copy of excerpts from the minutes of a regular meeting of the Governing Body of that municipality held on June 14, 2021; that these minutes were promptly and fully recorded and are open to public inspection; that I have compared said copy with the original minute record of said meeting in my official custody; and that said copy is a true, correct and complete transcript from said original minute record insofar as said original record relates to an initial resolution authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $9,640,000 of general obligation bonds of the City.
WITNESS my official signature of the City, this ________ day of _____________, 2021.
__________________________________________City Clerk
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