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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda - 06-18-2002 - 9c ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: June 18, 2002 Action Age a Item No. C SUBJECT: Status Report for Rogers Road Waterine Connections DEPARTMENT: Housing &Community PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No Development ATTACHMENT(5): INFORMATION CONTACT: Financial Assistance Policy Tara L. Fikes, eA 2490 Project Area Map TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 This topic was previously scheduled Dunham 688-7331 but not heamlat the June 4, 2002 Mebane 336.227-2031 meeting PURPOSE: To receive and comment on a status report regarding the grant program for the funding of connections between eligible properties and the main waterline Installed by the Orange Water and Sewer Authority in the Rogers Road neighborhood. BACKGROUND: The Board of Commissioners appropriated, in FY 2000.01, a total of $675,000 from the Sold Waste/Landfill Operations Fund to finance the Installation of wa ter mains in the Rogers Road community. The Orange Water and Sewer Authority managed the construction proleet under an agreement with the County, and construction"a completed in December 2001. On February 5, 2002, the BOCC approved a County-funded program that would provide grants to property owners In the Rogers Road waterline project target area. Grants would cover the costs associated with connecting individual residences to newly constructed water mains. These costs would include OWASA availability fees and water mania and the installation of lateral lines from the water meter to the house. Assistance is available for eligible properties for which the pertinent application materials are received no later than December 31,2004. The approved "Assistance Policy for the Rogers Road Waterline Connection Program"offers grants for waterline connections for households with incomes below 80% of the area median income. The income limits are based on the HUD published FY 2002 Median Income of $71,300 for a family of four in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Metroladmn Statistical Area. The current income limits are provided in the chart below. 2002 Income Limits for the County of Orange Number In 300/9 of 150% riflMedian 00% of Median lie sehold Median ;' ? � Pt/a Lbw :� ( LOw Income")° if 'Inpdme 1 $14,950 $24.950 $38100 2 $17100 $28500 $43,500 3 $19,250 $32,100 $48950 4 $21,400 $35,650 $54.00 5 $23,100 $38,500 $58,750 6 $24,800 $41,350 $63100 7 $26500 $44200 $67450 a $28250 $47.050 $71600 At program inception, staff estimated that the majority of property owners (about 80%)would meet the eligibility requirements for the grant program. The Housing and Community Development Department began taking applications for the grant program after February 5, 2002 by appointment only. Further, in an effort to Inform the neighborhood of the program,a Community Meeting was held on Monday, April 8'"at the Faith Tabernacle Churl Then, as a result of that meeting, an application day was scheduled in the community on Saturday, May 18"in an effort to make it easier for residents to apply for the program. The follcwing summarizes the implementation of this program to dean Application Intake Applications received Feb. 5 through May 17, 2002 11 Applications received Saturday, May 18, 2002 18 Applications received May 20-24.2002 7 Total Applications Received 3W * Represents approximately 38% of the total number of habitable structures. Parcels owned by program applicants are highlighted an the attached project area map. Eligibility Analysis Eligible applicants (72%) 26 Ineligible applicants (22%) 8 Incomplete applicants 03%) 2 Total applicants 36 Additional Information Approximately five (5)property owners have chosen to pay the connection fees directly to OWASA. Only one of these property owners has applied for the County grant program. Staff recommends that the Board consider the information provided about program implementation to dale, and provide direction to staff, either at this or a subsequent BOCC e meeting. regarding any revisions the Boats may wish to make to the February 2002 s 'Assistance Policy'. For example, the Beall less than full seatcverageherthe Brent program should be expended to Previte something less than full coat coverage (perhaps %o sliding harea a me) is on a waterline connection expenses for households with incomes above 80%of the area median income. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The County Engineer reports that there are 113 parcels with 96 habitable structures located in the community. Based on the cost projection of$195,000 for all of these properties and the assumption that eighty peroent of the residents will meet eligibility requirements, staff estimated the cost of the grant program to be approximately$156,000. Since the Installation cost of the lateral lines is based on individual property characteristics,this cost projection may fluctuate slightly over the course of the project. Should that be the case, and should it result in a higher cost, staff will report to the Board and request additional funds to complete the grant program. Program costs are being paid out of a$156,000 fund balance appropriation in the General Fund that was approved earlier this fiscal year by the BOCC. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the report as information and provide direction to stall, either now or at a subsequent Board meeting, regarding any changes the Bead may wish to consider in the "Assistance Policy for the Rogers Road Waterline Connection Program''. APPROVED 4 Fcbmary 5,2002 County of Orange Assistance Policy For the Rogers Road Waterline Connection Program Purpose This program provides funds to connect residents of the Rogere Road community tg the main water line installed in the vicinity of Rogers Road by the Orange Water and Sewer Authonty(OWASA) under Ra agroementwith Orange County, The Rogers Roatl area Is delineated on a map attached to this policy as Exhibit A. These connections will be provided in the form of laterals from the water main m existing plumbing at each eligible dwelling unit. The associated OWASA availability andlor meter fees will also be Included in the costs of connection. The County Commissioners will provide funding for this purpose through appropriations In the County's General Fund. Both the grant and loan programs will be available for eligible properties for which the pertinent application materials are received no later than December 31, 2004. The County Engineer will serve as the technical consultant for this project. Current plans are to eolith bids from local plumbing contractors to install the water connections with the oversight of the Engineer, In order to achieve economies of scale in plumbing costs, connections will be completed in groups of at least 15 to 25 where possible.This Assistance Policy describes who is ellglble to apply for assistance and whet the terms of assistance are for this program. Eligible Aool'cants Applicants for program funds must prove that they own the property to be served. Non- profit organizations with properties in the Rogers Road area will be eligible to apply for funding under this program. Pamela not plated for development as of January 1, 2002 will not be eligible for this program. Applicants must not have any overdue loans or loans In default from the County of Orange. Applicants must have paid all outstanding property taxes. In the case of rental property,the invesmr-owner must Provide written agreement to participate in the program. Application Procedure Applicants for assistance must complete an application. (A Sample form is attachedJ Applications will be accepted at the Housing and Community Development Office at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel HIII and at the Whiffed Human Services Building in Hillsborough by appointment only. To make an appointment, S homeowners/tenants may call (919)245-2490. Proof of ownership and family Income will be required. Income will be defined as the gross amount received annually from all sources by every person residing in the dwelling, including wages, pension, Social Security, interest, rent, dividends, etc. A third parry must verify all family income. Applicants eligible for grants will be required to execute a grant agreement. Terms of Assistance 2001 Income Limits for the County of Orange N �)1�14e y' ��Y:uMif.l M'i 1 513900 $3$150 $36,t5a 2 $16 850 6,]50 $1;000 9 $1)850 $29,750 III 4 $19950 $33,050 $52,500 s $31p00 $35,300 $60,90 6 $23000 $3930 _ Sag90o 3 $24600 X100 Vi,Go 6 $3B 200 $43650 569,900 "The income limits are based on the HUD published FY 2001 Median Income of $66,100 for a family of Pour in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Metmpolilan Statistical Area. Median income is established once yearly, subsequently the income limits for this program will be adjusted annually in accordance with the published median income. Phase I—Grant Program For appiicantaftensnts with household incomes that fall 80%and below of the area median, assistance b these families will be provided in the form of a grant. (See Mart above.) Applicants in this category could fall in the following configurations. e_ Low Income Homeowner I. Low Income Tenant- Low Income Landlord c. Low Income TenanD Over Income Landlord it Over Income Tenant— Low Income Land crd All landlords participating in this program will be required to agree to a rental rate agreement that allows a rent increase of no more than 10% in any given year and no more then a cumulative increase of W%for a period of five(5)years after connection to the Ci water system. All grant recipients will be required to execute a Grant Agreement with the County. G ` Phase II -Low-Interest Direct Loans Pending future consideration. Lean Processing Pending Mum consideration. Confidentiality. To the extent permitted by law, all information in applicant files will remain confidential. Access ro the information will be provided only to County employees who are directly involved In the program, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, and the County auditors. Summary information will be provided to other citizens upon request. Conflict oflnterest. No officer, employee or ether public offlclal of the County,or member of the County Commissioners, or entity contracting with the County,who exercises any functions or responsibilities with respect to the Rogers Road Waterline Program shall have any interest,direct or indirect, in any contract or subcontract for work to be performed with program funding, either for themselves or those with whom they have family or business ties, during their tenure or for one year thereafter. Relatives of County employees. Commissloners and others closely identified with the County may be approved only upon public disclosure and approval before the County Commissioners. NorrZiscriminatlon. All activities will be conducted in a fair, open and non- . discriminatory manner, entirely without regard to race,creed, sex, color or national origin. 3 Orange Y Count Landfill Study Area Rogers Road Neighborhood Parcel Information Key Map ACTIVE ti y ' LANDFILL F,�.Mu pml F A. Neville e ,, ; � ��, K�' �1 � A��- fir� �3�•p �t \ 4 Tract W, all atl �� 1'�'�, ,e � � .t� �'� v "°'�"�Y}� � Cam .�,d of q� 3-*"�S"'h`<l �,��y��j�'��L•�t r5.p� Greene Tract i:i�• r" v �y "2 rh i y� E { c y. 11116 R 3Rf Lt ,- h� � Legend: Scale: 1" =400' ``" Rogers Road Waterline Project Service Area Properties Peripheral To Rogers Road Community �'0"•"�r .t e�.�w Nunn Property • Habitable Structure N Ha/zye�n/1&Sawyer,^Proposed-Waterline Cas•��/�