Travis County Commissioners Court
May 8, 2007
Item 23
Since we have you there, ms. Flemming, number 23 is to consider and take appropriate action on the following related to plain view esstates neighborhood. A, results of income and demographic survey, and b, which is revised language, agreement with hornsby bend water supply company.
>> yes, sir. On April 3, 2007, the residents of the plain view estates subdivision requested that the county assist them by providing 115 000 to the hornsby bend utility company to provide water infrastructure. The court approved the request for financial support by requested staff to survey the neighborhood in accordance with community development blocks grants primary surveying methods. With that in mind, 59 of 62 families responded during the survey process. And the percentage of low to moderate income residents re residing in the plain view estates was 99.2 percent, which well exceeds cdbg exception limit of 46.2. We also collected some additional information related to planning for the water infrastructure and so we found that all 41 households responding indicated that their homes had working and flushing toi toilets, sink, and bathtub. And these are in accordance with guidelines from the cdb cdbg.
>> what do we do about the other thee? 59 or 62 families responded.
>> I would imagine that we are trying to contact them to determine, you know, either whether their property may not be in sufficient condition to participate, or they may be absent ee owners. I don't have that information now but I can certainly research that.
>> judge (inaudible). We need to know that thank you.
>> if necessary we can proceed with the project without those three. It's good to have 100 percent if you can.
>> absolutely, that is correct. Once we meet the 46.2 threshold, the whole subdivision, you know, has the opportunity to participate in the improvements.
>> this shows us that financially they do qualify.
>> that is correct. I think that was your intent to determine whether they would meet the guidelines for cdbg.
>> as well as.
>> absolutely.
>> so what do we take from the septic system information? Have you had a chance to link back up ?
>> in terms of cdbg, the information about the household plumbing information is important because we are adding water infrastructure. And so as part of our cdbg guidelines, it is always a good idea for us to check on the status of the plumbing infrastructure in the home because certainly we would not want to create a problem by putting in this valuable service for the residents.
>> now, would this be, I guess the question did come up during discussion and we were looking at the possibility of seeing that they are eligible, that was one of the main criteria, are they eligible. And of course, for cdb gñrk g assistance. They meet the cite for eligibility if they keep at 6.2 percent of requirements as far as cdbg criteria are set forth. My question, though, would this make them eligible to be included when necessary, the inclusion in the fy plan year or the next plan year for the budget cycle as far as allocation of funds through cdbg ?
>> that is a very bureaucratic yes and no answer, Commissioner. Quite frankly, the expediency in which we did the surveying, norm all we would have been required to have the hud office approve the survey before we add ministered it. In this case we went forward for expediency. So we would have to submit this for approval. There are other guidelines that we would have to look at once the project was sufficiently scoped.
>> right.
>> so it's a yes and no answer. For what we know right now, parts of it would be, you know, could potentially be included, maybe parts of it could not. I think that there was an interest in this project to be underway during the summer. And so when we look at that piece of it, cdbg funds would not be available.
>> no, no--
>> during the summer.
>> not for the short term.
>> exactly.
>> for the long term is there may be other expenses that may be incurred at a later time that may not be addressed right now. We are looking at the early summer months.
>> right.
>> I guess I don't want to go into b of this, but seems like I may have to. The judge has already read the b portion of this item. I guess my point is, where are we as far as the agreement to look into this.
>> I received it this morning. I have had the pleasure of sending most of the day with you and haven't had the chance to review it.
>> we'll have it back on.
>> judge, this is pretty significant as far as what--
>> regarding the first part of your question, commission Commissioner, if there are other portions of this project or other work that is identified that the court wants to consider for cdbg funding, we would have to repeat some of the surveying and we shared that with the resident at the time that we provided it. You know, certain types of surveying is required depending on the scope and range of the project. And so, there are some things we would have to repeat but certainly we have really good information to get started.
>> the main thing, not the main thing, but one of the concerns, income for these folks in the area where by we could look at them as far as low income. That has been, basically, substantiated with this particular survey that you have conducted.
>> absolutely. That's right right, almost double what you need.
>> and that figure was 99 point, I had it somewhere.
>> 99.2 percent.
>> okay. Of the residents.
>> are low to moderate.
>> low to moderatemoderate.
>> that is correct.
>> that helps a lot.
>> judge, to answer your question, the nature of the survey did not answer the question about the the-- the--about the adequacy of the septic symptoms. That can only be determined by looking at the files and see whether there has been a permit issues of issued to see if the system is adequate once the household is connected with waterment where there has been no permit issued we have to get with the residents to see if they have any records of what system was installed and then go from there. The survey itself didn't help us get to the question. I'm happy to hear that the residents are qualified for federal funding in the event that we do have to put in septic systems. I think we have the funding mechanic to do it.
>> okay anything else today? So in terms of financial qualifications, eligibility, it's a green light.
>> that would be correct.
>> okay. So appeal put the contract on next week and hopefully it will be ready for execution. Thank you very much.
>> thank you.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, May 9, 2007, 8:00 AM