Agenda - Planning Commission - 09/04/2014

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Last revised July 24, 2014 award of federally assisted contracts. The methods of administering these two federally mandated programs are very similar. The US DOT DBE Program requires the Council to set a general participation goal, an aspirational goal for DBE participation on a project. The Council has set a three-year DBE goal of 15.5% for federal fiscal years 2013-2016 on USDOT assisted projects. Most US DOT -assisted Council Transit contracts adopt the 15.5% DBE goal, but when the participation general goal might not be appropriate contract specific goals are utilized. Contract specific goals are for individual contracts and are calculated by the relative availability of DBEs and other appropriate information. The Council also participates in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) DBE program for federally funded environmental services -related projects. The EPA grants federal funds to the Metropolitan Council through a revolving loan fund established through the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) for Environmental Services infrastructure projects such as wastewater treatment network and facilities. These requirements are designed to encourage loan recipients and prime contractors to utilize DBEs whenever procurement opportunities occur. Unlike the US DOT DBE program, the EPA DBE Program categorizes DBEs into further designations: • Women Business Enterprise (WBE) • Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) • Minority Women Owned Businesses (WBE/MBE). Firms who are certified as Minority Women Owned Businesses (WBE/MBE) can be utilized towards the WBE and MBE goal. The EPA requires the Council to establish "Fair Share" participation goals, the current fair share goals for 2013-2016 are designated into MBE and WBE Goals. • For construction contracts - 5% MBE & 5% WBE • For design projects - 7% MBE & 7% WBE Emergency Loan Program (Minnesota Housing) Provides a 0%, deferred and forgivable loan for extremely low income homeowners for basic improvements that directly affect the safety of the home and health of its inhabitants. This can involve addressing lead paint hazards and other hazardous toxins, repair or replacement of failed electrical, plumbing, heating, septic, ventilation, or other systems, structural failure, roof repair, and other emergency conditions. Emergency Solutions Grants (ESGs. fka Emergency Shelter Grants) The Emergency Solutions Grants Program (ESG) provides funding to engage homeless individuals and families living on the street; improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families; help operate these shelters; provide essential services to shelter residents; rapidly re -house homeless individuals and families; and prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless. Enhanced Vouchers (used under the Proiect-Based Section 8 Program) When a private owner leaves a HUD project -based subsidy program, usually by prepayment of a subsidized mortgage or opt -out of a project -based Section 8 contract, the owner's obligation to maintain the low rents or accept the project -based assistance at the property is lifted, leaving most of the residents unable to pay the new rent without a new rental assistance subsidy. Congress authorized and funded "enhanced vouchers" to subsidize rents for tenants facing opt -out or prepayment, but only upon occurrence of a specified "eligibility event." 2040 HOUSING POLICY PLAN I METROPOLITAN COUNCIL DRAFT RELEASED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Appendices I Page 83