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There are several advantages to using a consultant for grant preparation and administration. An experienced consultant would bring their knowledge of the CDBG program to the project Not only might this help in getting the grant application approved, but it would eliminate the need for existing staff to spend considerable time reviewing program requirements. Additionally, the cost of the consultant can be paid from grant fimds. As previously indicated, the deadline for submitting a neighborhood revitalization CDBG application is June 30, 1999. Prior to submitting a grant application, the county has a number of tasks that must be completed. Upon a recommendation by the Board, county staff will begin the consultant selection process. Following an advertisement for request for proposals for a consultant, interested parties will present their proposals before a county staff selection committee. Staff will then present their recommendation to the Board. This selection process is expected to take approximately two months. Following the selection of a consultant, the first of two public hearings will be held to discuss the proposed project From the input and direction provided during that public hearing, the consultant will develop the grant application. A survey will be conducted by the consultant, as part of preparing the grant, which will provide detailed neighborhood information. Development of the grant application is expected to take two to three months. Once a preliminary grant application has been completed, staff will schedule a meeting of the county's Citizen Advisory Task Force. At this meeting, the consultant will present the grant application to the task force and ask for comments. Using comments from that meeting the consultant will revise the grant application. A revised grant application will then be presented to the Board of County Commissioners at the second public hearing. Based on the comments presented at the second public hearing, the consultant will revise the grant application and then submit that application to the DCA for its review. The Board of County Commissioners has five alternatives regarding this matter. These alternatives are: 1.) Not to apply for the CDBG funds; 2.) Direct staff (public works and/or community development) to prepare a CDBG application and administer the grant, if approved, for the area in Wabasso immediately east of the Whtifield Subdivision; 3.) Direct staff (public works and/or community development) to prepare a CDBG application and administer the grant, if approved, for a portion of Oslo Park Subdivision; 4.) Authorize staff (public works and/or community development) to prepare a request for proposal (RFP) to hire a consultant to prepare a CDBG application and administer the grant for the area in Wabasso immediately east of the Whtifield Subdivision; or 5.) Authorize staff (public works and/or community development) to prepare a request for proposal (RFP) to hire a consultant to prepare a CDBG application and administer the grant for a portion of Oslo Park Subdivision. Based on the analysis, staff supports the fifth alternative. Coordinating with the land owners in the Wabasso area to dedicate the existing roads to the county may be a time-consuming task. Staff will begin coordinating with those land owners so that the county will be able to apply in the future for CDBG fiords for that area Another point for alternative five is that a consultant, specialized in preparing CDBG applications and administering of CDBG projects, would enhance the county's chance of receiving the grant. In addition, by using a consultant, the county would incur no cost if the application is not approved. Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners authorize the public works and community development staff to apply for neighborhood revitalization CDBG fiords for portions of the Oslo Park Subdivision. Staff also recommends that the Board authorize staff to initiate the process to select a consultant to prepare the CDBG application and administer the grant DECEMBER 1, 1998 -51- BOOK J.07 PAGE778