iJRUER NU. cE,'~:1 RDOF'f RESOLUTIQIV 5UF'F'ORTING' iIVCLUSIUN ^1= LUCRLLY ELEGfED OFFICIRLS HOUSE PILL NO. 7 Un this 'the loth day of Mar'•ch c~~Di, upon motion rtiade by Commissioner Williams, seconded by Commissioner Paldwin, the Court voted unanimously by a vote of 4-0-0, to adopt the r•esal~ation suppor-ti.ng incl~_ision of locally elected officials as a majority of any board existxny or' proposed by No~_ise Bill No. 7, with over•siyht of the state comm~_tnaty Development Plock vrant F'royram. '~ COMMISSIONERS' COURT AGENDA REQUEST MADE BY: William H. Williams OFFICE: Commissioner, Pct. 2 MEETING DATE: March 12, 2001 TIME PREFERRED: SUBJECT: (Please be specific) Consider and discuss Resolution supporting inclusion of locally- elected officials as a majority of any board, existing or proposed by House Bili 7, with oversight of the state Community Development Block Grant program, and forward same to: The Honorable Gary L. Walker, Chairman, House Committee on Land and Resource Management, c/o Texas House of Representatives, Austin, Tx. Backup material to come. ~- EXECUTIVE SESSION REQUESTED: (PLEASE STATE REASON) NAME OF PERSON ADDRESSING THE COURT: Commissioner, Pct. 2., Hill Williams ESTIIvtATED LENGTH OF PRESENTATION: 10 rains. IF PERSONNEL MATTER NAME OF EMPLOYEE: Tirne for submitting this request for Court to assure that the matter is posted in accordance with Title 5, Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code, is as follows: Meeting scheduled for Mondays: 5:00 P.M. previous Tuesday THIS REQUEST RECEIVED BY: THIS REQUEST RECEIVED All Agenda Requests will be screened by the Courrty Judge's Office to determine if adequate information has been prepared for the Court's formal consideration and action at time of Court meetings. Your cooperation will be appreciated and contribute towards your request being addressed at the earliest opportunity. See Agenda Request Rule adopted by Commissioners ,.~. Court. RESOLUTION WHEREAS, House Bill 7 of the 77th Session of the Texas Legislature proposes to move the state's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affa'vs to the proposed Otlice of Rural Community Affairs, WHEREAS, the locally elected officials of small cities and rural wunties comprise a important reservoir of individuals "possessing a strong understanding of and commitment to rural interests," WHEREAS, the state CDBG progam is the primary source of community development grant assistance to rural counties in Texas, WHEREAS, small incorporated cities and rural counties are the only entities eligible to receive state CDBG funds and as such are the entities responsible for determining local community development needs and priorities, WHEREAS, small cities and rural counties are the entities legally responsible for the stewardship of state CDBG funds awazded to them; and WHEREAS, the County has several pending state CDBG program awards pending that will address crucial human health and water quality issues; THEREFORE be it resolved by the Kerr County Commissioners Court that: Section 1. We support in general those policies of the State of Texas that will preserve and physically improve the quality of life in rural communities; Section 2. We support the inclusion of locally elected officials from rural areas as a majority on any policy-making board or committee that makes specific decisions regarding the prioritization, distribution, or uses of state CDBG funds should such boazd or committee be created or modified by House Bill 7; Section 3. We support language to be added to House Bill 7 that would transfer the staff members of the existing state CDBG program intact to any new agcncy created by the bill to minimize delays in the expenditure ofthese funds that are crucial to the health, safety and general well-being of many rural communities throughout Texas. Resolved this 12°i Day of March 2001. i ~ H. A. "Buster al n Commissioner, Pct. #1 ~ , .~- ~~ H. Williams Commissioner, Pct. #2 X Fri Henneke, Ken County t„naP La Griffi Commissioner, Pct. #4 Mar OG Ot OS::_lp RESOtL'TIOly Ii%hereus House Bill ? of the'7a' Session of the Fcxas L.cgistature proposes to mote the state's l:ummunity llcvcioprnen! Block Grant (CDDG) program from the Texas DepsRment of IInusing and Community ~ lairs to rite proposed Olrice of Rurzl C:immunity Affairs, ti~'lzererrs the locally elected officials of small cities and rural counties comprise a i ntporprnt reser~ oir of individuals "possessing. a strong understanding of and commitment to rural intarests," I[`hzr-eus the stag CDBG program is the pn mary s%nirce oC aommmiity development grant assistanceru rutalcuunliesin Texas, tti7re~•en., small incorporated cities and rural counties are the only entities eligible to receive s:ax CDBG :ands and as such sre the entities responsible #'or determining local comnninih~ development needs and. priorities. dF'.hereus small cities and rural counties are the tntities teeally r:apunsible for the stewztdslip of slat:. CL'iBG funds awzrrded to !hem, and R•'hereas the County has several pending state CDBG program awards pending Srat will address crucial htrnan health and waver quality issues: THEREFORE be it resolved by the Commissioners' Court of kern Comity, Texas. that: Section i. We support in general those policies of the Statr of Texas that will preserve and physically impru~-~ the quaint' of life in raga; communities; Section 2. J/e suppon the inclusion of locally elected officials from rural areas ss a majority on am` policy-mtdin€ board er committee that makes spectfic decisions regarding the prioritization, distribution, or uses of state CDRCi fundc should such txiarcl or committee he created or modified by Ho;se Biil 7; Section 3. We support lartgtage to be added to Horse Aill' that would transfer the staff members of the existing state CDDG progr.•un intact to guy new agency created by the bill to minimize delays iu the expenditure of *.hese funds that are crucial to the health. safety and gcncxal wci;-bcting of many :ors] communities tnreughout Texas. Resolved t"nnis 12`n' day of March. ?0.1; . Signed'. p.2 ,~ 1 L 3 4 S 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Ll 22 23 24 25 146 I JODGE HENNEKE: Number 17, consider and I II discuss resolution supporting the inclusion of locally II elected officials as a majority of any board existing or i proposed by House Bill 7, with oversight of the state Community Development Block Grant program, and forward same to Gary L. Walker, Chairman of House Committee on Land and ' Resource Management. COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS: The backup material, Judge, provided to us by Grantworks, our folks in Austin, who have done some outstanding work on our behalf, ca1Ls to our attention the sense of House Bill 7 drafted by Warren Chisum. And, the major concern is that this new agency for the administering of funds in the Community Development Block Grant program, once that board is set up, as the law is currently being proposed, there would be no elected officials. And, given that the -- the largest percentage of these dollars are fox- small cities and rural counties, it does sort of make sense that -- that any governing or oversight board have some elected officials on it, and what this resolution does is urges them to consider that particular point. I move the resolution. COMMISSIONER BALDWIN: I second it. JUDGD HENNEKE: Motion by Commissioner Williams, second by Commissioner Baldwin, that the Court adopt a resolution supporting inclusion of locally elected 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 y 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 29 25 147 officials as a majority of any board existing or proposed by House Bill 7, with oversight of the state Community Development Block Grant program, and forward same to the Honorable Gary L. Walker, Chairman, House Committee on Land and Resource Management. Any further questions or comments? COMMISSIONER BALDWIN: Comment, that here's an opportunity for us to voice our concern that things need to be run from the bottom up, not the top down. DODGE HENNEKE: All in favor, raise your right hand. i, (The motion carried by unanimous vote.) JUDGE HENNEKE: All opposed, same sign. (No response.) JUDGE HENNEKE: Motion carries. Item number 19, consider and discuss adopting a proclamation declaring March 18 to 29 as National Agriculture Week in Texas. COMMISSIUNER BALDWIN: So moved. COMMISSIONER LETZ: Second. CUMMISSIUNER GRIFFIN: Second -- third. JUDGE HENNEKE: Moved by Commissioner Baldwin, seconded by Commissioner Letz, that the Court adopt a proclamation declaring March 18 to 24 as National Agriculture Week in Kerr County, Texas. Any further questions or comments? If not, all in favor, raise your right hand. RESOLUTION WHEREAS, House Bill 7 of the 77ih Session of the Texas Legislature proposes to move the state's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to the proposed Office of Rural Community Affairs, WHEREAS, the locally elected officials of small cities and rural counties comprise a important reservov of individuals "possessing a shong understanding of and commitment to rural interests," WHEREAS, the state CDBG program is the primary source of community development grant assistance to rural counties in Texas, WHEREAS, small incorporated cities and rural counties are the only entities eligible to receive state CDBG funds and as such are the entities responsible for determining local community development needs and priorities, WHEREAS, small cities and rural counties are the entities legally responsible for the stewardship of state CDBG funds awarded to them; and WHEREAS, the County has several pending state CDBG program awards pending that will address crucial human health and water quality issues; THEREFORE be it resolved by the Kerr County Commissioners Court that: Section 1. We support in general those policies of the State of Texas that will preserve and physically improve the quality of life in rural communities; Section 2. We support the inclusion of locally elected officials from rural areas as a majority on any policy-making board or committce that makes specific decisions regarding the prioritiTation, distribution, a uses of state CDBG funds should such board or committee be created or modified by House $i117; Section 3. We support language to be added to House Bill 7 that would transfer the staff members of the existing state CDBG program intact to any new agency seated by the bill to minimize delays in the expenditwe of these funds that are crucial to the health, safety and general well-being of many rural communities throughout Texas. Resolved this 12m Day of March 21101. c H. A, "Bust 1 Commissioner, P . #1 ~~ H. Williams Commissions, Pa. #2 ~ dew Y Mlired b • dtho arLdeo red Henneke, Kerr County Judge Jonath Commis ion ,Pct. #3 p wYA 156 eatleealr W. tns ed eases Doer COMMISSIONERS' COURT AGENDA REQUEST MADE BY: William H. Williams OFFICE: Commissioner, Pct. 2 MEETING DATE: March 12, 2001 TIME PREFERRED: SUBJECT: (Please be specific) Consider and discuss Resolution supporting inclusion of locally- elected officials as a majority of any board, existing or proposed by House Bill 7, with oversight of the state Community Development Block Grant program, and forward same to: The Honorable Gary L. Walker, Chairman, House Committee on Land and Resource Management, c/o Texas House of Representatives, Austin, Tx. Backup material to come. EXECUTIVE SESSION REQUESTED: (PLEASE STATE REASON) NAME OF PERSON ADDRESSING THE COURT: Commissioner, Pct. 2., Bill Williams ESTIMATED LENGTH OF PRESENTATION: 10 rains. IF PERSONNEL MATTER-NAME OF EMPLOYEE: Time for submitting this request for Court to assure that the matter is posted in accordance with Title 5, Chapter 551 and 552, Government Coda, is as follows: Meeting scheduled for Mondays: 5:00 P.M. previous Tuesday THIS REQUEST RECEIVED BY: THIS REQUEST RECEIVED All Agenda Requests will be screened by the County Judge's Office to determine if adequate information has been prepared for the Court's formal consideration and action at time of Court meetings. Your cooperation will be appreciated and contribute towards your request being addressed at the earliest opportunity. See Agenda Request Rule adopted by Commissioners Court. tzar 06 0. 05: ,°i7p Planning, housing and '_ammuni!y ~evelapment Services far Ruraf Texas Sinre 1979 p. 1 1705 West Koeni¢ Lane Austin, Texas 76756 Voice (512} 4200303 Fax 1512) 420.0302 austin~q r an tworlcs. r. et FAX TRANSMITTAL To: Comm. ~NiUiarns Da+•~ 3!6/2001 erauR: Kerr County P,oi•~r•. N; A sub(•tr: Hearing on CDBu Fax: 830-i92-22^,8 Remarks: Pages (w/cover): 1 House Bill ?, drafted by Warren Chisum and strongly supported by Speaker Laney: would create a new State agency called the Office of Rural Community Affairs. It would combine programs suppnrring rural health care with the Community Development Block Grant Prr~gram, currently Housed within the Texas Department of Housing Comrr:pnity Affairs. The CDBG program provides apprpximatety $55 million to hundreds of rural cities and counties each year for infrastructure, housing rehabilitation, planning, coloriia improvements, e*_c. It wi',l form the core of this new agency. ?he primary concern we have is that the new agency will be governed by a nine- mPmher hoard that may not include a maiority for even one or twol locatlV- elected officials as this is not required by the ieaislatior~ as it is written. Since the CDBG program is only available to cities and counties, who are responsible for all aspects of program design and imp,ementation. we believe that it is crucial that policy decisions regarding this program be primarily in the hands of locally elected officials. \'YE also think it is important that tha nrrrent staff be moved with the program to the new agency, if tit is created. This wrll reduce delays and complications in expending these crucial community development funds that so many communities depend upon. Last time a move occurred the Staff members were kept and the transition was smooth; in 1987, the entire staff was fired during a move and it took 6-12 months r'or construction oauractors to be paid in the ensuing turmoil. This bill is very likely tts be passed in sane form. This resolution ~n~ill support the direction of HB 7 while race ,mending some additions to the bill that would ease the transition and maintain the control by those who use the program. i hope this explanation helps! ~/lit~ t1ar OG OS '75:21p RCSOLti'CIO\ !i-/ezrcus [-louse Bil] ;' of thz'7a' Sossictt of the hexes L.cgislatur: proposes to move the state's Cotmnttmty llct~cloprneut Dluci~ Gratat ~CDDG) program from the Texas D~partmert of ;Fusing and Cor~nntri;, Maas hi the proposed Ul ice oC Rurzl CrntmanitJ Affairs, P heVraa the ioaally ,leerd oihcials of small cities rod rural counties cotrprise a iatpo^tant ras.nuir n1 individua'~s `'po,sessut~. a Strang wtderstanding of and commitment tJ l'iirid lilt',re~tS,~ If hr ~.rts thz Brat, i;DB(i progran: a tFro pn niury vuurce of cott:muuity dev2lopntant Irani. assistance =u rural cututGe; in "Texas, 6ilr~reas smaG incotput^a:ed cities and rural counties are the only entities eligible to recetvc s:aK: CDBG funds and as such .re the entities responsible for determining local eomrnt.nit« development n: Ids and priorities. IG'herec~s snail cities and rural .noun±ics are the eu,ities ieeally t'spunsibie Cor the stewvally elected uftictats from rural areas as a m.,~o*ity on any policy-making bosrti er commlttco that makes spectftc decisions regarding ?he pr;oritization, dtstribution, or ta,es of sate CDRCi fiutds should such board _r commirtee 6e ~rea;ed u: mnditied by Hn:se Biil 7. Section 3. 1~e support lartguage to b: added to Yoase Bi11' i'natwould transfer the staff ntctnbers ai•the existing state CDDG program intact to at:y netr~ ageuc}~ created by :he bi;l to minitntae d.uys in the expendihtr2 of tYtese fwtds t?tat ore ,:racial to the health. saf~h• and general wait-bring ~.1 many mrai commtmities tirreughaut Texas. Resohed t_~is :2s' day of March. ?foal p.2 Si~~aed: