R2001-82 AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH / MACON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

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Neighborhood Services Department Memorandum 01-30 DATE: April 12, 2001 TO: Honorable Ma or Howley and City Council FROM: Steve Garm ity Manager Reginald F e , Director—Neighborhood Services Dept. �. SUBJECT: IDPH "Get the Lead Out"Program SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: Staff requests approval to join with the Illinois Department of Public Health(IDPH) and Macon County Health Department(MCHD) in IDPH's pilot program to reduce lead-based paint hazards in nine (9) housing units located in the City of Decatur. The $105,300 cost of the local program is to be primarily funded(74% or$77,922)by a grant obtained by IDPH from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The balance of funding (26% or$27,378) is to be a City match from Community Development Block Grant(CDBG) funds. Staff recommends adoption of the resolution to authorize the City's participation and the entering of an agreement with IDPH. BACKGROUND: IDPH applied for and received a HUD funding grant to reduce lead-based paint hazards in housing units in targeted Illinois cities. The program, known as "Get the Lead Out"is to provide lead-safe housing rehabilitation assistance to low-income families. The program is entering its second year(Phase 2) of operation. The targeted cities for"Get the Lead Out"Phase 2 are Springfield, Champaign, Decatur, Kankakee, Rockford, and Cicero. In cooperation with various county health departments, which conduct the initial assessments and final clearances, local governments procure and coordinate the actual abatement service work of independent State-licensed contractars. Local governments also provide a 26% funding match using CDBG funds, or some other non-Federal funding. The total maximum amount to be expended on any one housing unit is $11,700. Thus, for each housing unit IDPH provides up to $8,715 and the City will provide up to $2,985 of CDBG match funds. However, the program allows for an administration fee of$1,500, thus the result is a $1,485 net cost of the match per housing unit. In addition to the obvious benefits of lead hazard reduction and cost efficiency, the City's participation in the program, will enable NSD staff to become more proficient in complying with the new HUD lead-based paint regulations that became effective September 15, 2000 (24 CFR Part 35). Participation will also facilitate NSD staff's efforts to commence our FY 2001-02 Residential and Senior Rehab programs. Under the "Get Out the Lead"program, MCHD will make referrals to the City of housing units MCHD has identified as needing lead-based paint reduction work. With IDPH's funding, the City will agree to give priority to MCHD referrals.