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EPA Community Action for Renewed Environment Grant ApplicationMasterpiece on the Mississippi Dubuque hell AH- Amedcaeinr 11111f 2007 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: EPA Community Action for a Renewed Environmental (CARE) Grant Application DATE: March 28, 2011 Recently the City was the recipient of HUD funding totaling $3,099,948 to continue the lead Paint Abatement Program and $999,973 to launch a Health Homes Initiative in Dubuque. The City, in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, submitted a Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) application to support the formation of the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI). A grant of GHHI will provide the framework and technical assistance Dubuque needs to integrate sustainability and healthy homes. For many years, housing improvement efforts have operated independently: some people working on weatherization and energy efficiency improvements for homes, others attacking lead paint problems and still others focused on asthma prevention and other environmental hazards. The Green and Healthy Homes Initiative meets all of these goals in a more efficient, cost - effective and holistic manner by bringing together funding sources, erasing bureaucratic boundaries and addressing all of the problems of a family home at one time. By aligning and coordinating various resources, it offers a single intervention to fix the problems of each housing unit while ensuring the work is safe for both residents and workers. A Green and Healthy Homes Collaborative will work to support coordinated, interagency work to demonstrate the benefits of integrating energy- efficiency and healthy homes outcomes together in a comprehensive green and healthy housing strategy. Funds will be used to develop a replicable, systems -based approach to implementing and evaluating "green and healthy" outcomes in low- income residences. Grant funding would primarily be used to fund meetings and education of community partners, community outreach and a part-time position to coordinate activity at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. Also included in the budget proposal are funds to assist six pilot households in order to identify opportunities for efficiency and cross - training and funding for the Sustainable Dubuque Indicators (SDI) project. The SDI is the proposed community- supported reporting and engagement tool that would assist partners in aggregating performance data related to the Sustainable Dubuque plan and sustainability principles. Sustainability Coordinator Cori Burbach recommends City Council approval of the submittal of a $96,426 grant application to the Environmental Protection Agency CARE program. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. Michael C. Van Milligen MCVM:jh Attachment cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager Cori Burbach, Sustainability Coordinator David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department Director Mary Rose Corrigan, RN, Public Health Specialist Nancy Van Milligen, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Eric Dregne, Vice President of Programs, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Masterpiece on the Mississippi TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager FROM: Cori Burbach, Sustainability Coordinator SUBJECT: EPA Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) Grant Application DATE: March 28, 2011 Dubuque bfrd AIEAmedcaCity 1 2007 INTRODUCTION This purpose of this memorandum is to bring to your attention that the City of Dubuque has submitted a grant application to the EPA CARE program in the amount of $96,426. BACKGROUND EPA developed the CARE program in 2005 in response to community requests for help in addressing environmental concerns and in recognition of the need for a new approach to help communities develop locally -led solutions to address these concerns. The CARE grant program works with applicants and recipients to help their communities form collaborative partnerships, develop an understanding of local sources of toxic pollutants and environmental risks, set priorities, and identify and carry out projects to reduce risks through collaborative action at the local level. CARE's Tong -term goal is to help communities build self- sustaining, community -based partnerships that will continue to improve human health and local environments into the future. Recently the City was the recipient of HUD funding totaling $3,099,948 to continue the Lead Paint Abatement program and $999,973 to launch a Healthy Homes initiative in Dubuque. The goals of the project are: 1)reduction of lead poisoned children especially throughout the neighborhoods of Dubuque; 2) continuance of professional lead certification and training of area contractors, workers, program inspectors and property owners, leading to employment opportunities; 3) collaborative public education, awareness and training of health professionals, tenants, and property owners; 4)integration and braiding of related services from community partners who will promote and establish lead -safe housing throughout the neighborhoods of Dubuque; and 5) propel the Lead Hazard Control Program to integrate a comprehensive Healthy Homes Program. Through Dubuque's current Lead Hazard Control and Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs, the City is positioning itself to launch a Healthy Homes Program and a more comprehensive Green and Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI). Through the success of the current lead hazard control program, many community partnerships are established for healthy homes models to be implemented. Dubuque's holistic sustainability model provides an excellent platform to base a Green and Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI). The Health, Housing and Sustainability coordination between departments provides a strong baseline to develop a GHHI work plan. In partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, the Initiative will work to bring all partners together to discuss opportunities for service integration and improvement, efficiencies in home inspection, and leveraging of state, federal and private funds. DISCUSSION The City, in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, submitted a CARE application to support the formation of the GHHI. GHHI will provide the framework and technical assistance Dubuque needs to integrate sustainability and healthy homes. For many years, we have seen housing improvement efforts operate independently: some people working on weatherization and energy efficiency improvements for homes, others attacking lead paint problems and still others focused on asthma prevention and other environmental hazards. GHHI meets all of these goals in a more efficient, cost - effective and holistic manner by bringing together funding sources, erasing bureaucratic boundaries and addressing all of the problems of a family home at one time. By aligning and coordinating various resources, it offers a single intervention to fix the problems of each housing unit while ensuring the work is safe for both residents and workers. The GHH Collaborative will work to support coordinated, interagency work to demonstrate the benefits of integrating energy- efficiency and healthy homes outcomes together in a comprehensive green and healthy housing strategy. Funds will be used to develop a replicable, systems -based approach to implementing and evaluating "green and healthy" outcomes in low- income residences. Grant funding would primarily be used to fund meetings and education of community partners, community outreach and a part-time position to coordinate activity at the Community Foundation. Also included in the budget proposal are funds to assess six pilot households in order to identify opportunities for efficiency and cross - training and funding for the Sustainable Dubuque Indicators (SDI) project. The SDI is the proposed community- supported reporting and engagement tool that would assist partners in aggregating performance data related to the Sustainable Dubuque plan and sustainability principles. RECOMMENDATION Staff respectfully requests Council approval of the EPA CARE grant application in the amount of $96,426. cc: David Harris, Housing & Community Development Director Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager Jennifer Larson, Budget Director Dave Lyons, Smarter City Project Manager Nancy Van Milligen, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Eric Dregne, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque March 22, 2011 Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Nancy Van Milligen President and CEO 700 Locust, Suite 195 Dubuque, IA 52001 Phone: 563 - 588 -2700 Email: nancyvanm @dbqfoundation.org To: Whom It May Concern RE: Community Foundation Support of the CARE Grant Application It is with great pleasure that I support Dubuque's CARE grant application. Dubuque, a city that has built its success through partnerships, is the perfect place to initiate this innovative program. The City of Dubuque has a strong history of effectively utilizing private /public partnerships to deliver services and is well - positioned to use the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) model and funding to impact the health of our families and neighborhoods. We currently have weatherization and HUD Lead and Healthy Homes programs, along with health and energy conservation programs in our low income neighborhoods. To be able to offer a comprehensive, integrated approach is a dream come true. The Community Foundation is a strong supporter of Green and Healthy Homes Collaborative. Under the Community Foundation umbrella, we deliver an Every Child / Every Promise initiative that focuses on delivering Colin Powell's 5 promises to all Dubuque youth and Dubuque 2.0 - a grassroots community engagement process to inspire sustainability in our homes and neighborhoods. The Collaborative is the perfect bridge between the two. As our partner in creating a progressive and sustainable community, we want to be a major player in the formation of a system to form the Green and Healthy Homes Collaborative and bring about systems change. The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque will support the Green and Healthy Homes Collaborative through facilitating communication between partners, meeting with new organizations that can contribute resources and assist in identifying and resolving gaps and challenges in delivery of services as they arise, including data system development, community -wide education, and coordination of service delivery. As you seek to improve the health of your community's homes, know that we are here to be your partner in forming the Green and Healthy Homes Collaborative. Please strongly consider the Dubuque CARE grant application for the Green and Healthy Homes Collaborative. We will work together to effectively utilize the funds and the learning from the pilots to bring about great change in our neighborhoods. Sincerely, 41.1c.- Nancy Van Milligen your community your foundation Level I CARE Grant Application City of Dubuque, Iowa Green and Healthy Homes Collaborative City of Dubuque 350 W. 6th St., Suite 312 Dubuque, IA 52001 Contact: David Harris, Housing & Community Development Director Ph: 563.589.4239 Fx: 563.690.6692 Email: dharris @cityofdubuque.org Community location: City of Dubuque, Iowa Total project cost: $96,426 Project period: June 2011 -Oct 2012 DUNS number: 093105302 1 a. Project Summary I. Project Title: City of Dubuque, Iowa Green and Healthy Homes Collaborative H. Organization Overview The vision of the City of Dubuque: The city of Dubuque is a progressive, sustainable city with a strong, balanced economy and connections to the world. The Dubuque community takes pride in our history and heritage and has actively preserved our picturesque Mississippi river and community. Dubuque citizens have choices of quality livable neighborhoods and fun things to do; and are engaged in the community. Dubuque city government is financially sound and providing services with citizens getting value for their tax dollars. The City is qualified to complete the CARE grant program, based on our experience in federal grant administration, sustainability programming and successful community partnerships. Many of the other proposed partners also have significant experience in these areas, which will add to the success of the Green and Healthy Homes Collaborative (GHH Collaborative). In 2006, the Dubuque City Council identified becoming a designated green, sustainable community as one of their top priorities. Since then, the City has launched Sustainable Dubuque, a holistic approach to sustainability that addresses ecological/environmental integrity, economic prosperity and social /cultural vibrancy. By addressing these three parts of our sustainability model, we are creating a community that is viable, livable, and equitable. The GHH Collaborative will be a centerpiece project to address each of these criteria. The City of Dubuque's Office of Sustainability and the Housing & Community Development and Health departments will play a primary role in the implementation of the project. The City has a successful history of partnering with local businesses, individuals, and non - profits to meet the needs of its residents. The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque (CFGD) is one such non - profit. The CFGD has established itself as a vital player in engaging leaders, supporting important initiatives and facilitating collaborative and will be the convener of the GHH Collaborative to promote systems of Green and Healthy Homes services. The goal is to fashion a network and data system that allows these organizations to work collaboratively and cost effectively while improving outcomes for families served. iii. Community Profile The city of Dubuque is the targeted population of the GHH Collaborative. Dubuque is located on the Mississippi River in northeastern Iowa, adjacent to Illinois and Wisconsin. About 30 square miles in area, the city has a current population of approximately 60,000 persons. Iowa's oldest city, Dubuque was established in 1833. Historically known for lead mining, fur trading, button making, boat building, and logging, this has been a vibrant river city since the early 1800s. As the 7th largest city in the state, residents enjoy a contemporary city with both Victorian charm and the conveniences of an urban setting. Situated in a beautiful, natural location along the Mississippi River, Dubuque is distinctive because of its steep hills and river bluffs. While houses built over 100 years ago add to the charm of the city, they can also be risks to residents. Indoor environmental threats such as unmitigated radon, lead paint, asbestos, and mold are a sampling of the toxins that are known to exist in homes throughout the city. In order to prepare a program that will sustain itself citywide in the future, Level I funding of the GHH Collaborative will establish a pilot program in the Washington Street Neighborhood of Dubuque. The Washington Neighborhood is a 55 square block area bounded by 11th and 22nd Streets on the south and north; and by White and Elm Streets on the west and east. At its eastern and western boundaries, uses tend to be more commercial, with the residential core located along Washington and Jackson Streets. As our river dependent industry in the early 1900's grew, housing uses began to intensify north of 14th Street; and became increasingly more concentrated toward the north end of the area. Scattered small businesses and institutional structures are located throughout the neighborhood. Because of the systemic, planned approach to this community's development, and the resulting waikability of the neighborhood, a unique opportunity exists to pilot the Dubuque Healthy Homes program in a highly effective way. An opportunity also exists to create a model that is easily replicated due to the commonalities found in this neighborhood and small towns or neighborhoods throughout the United States. The housing located in the Washington Neighborhood is some of the oldest housing in the city, as well as some of the oldest housing in the state of Iowa — with over 86% of the housing located in this neighborhood built prior to 1940. The neighborhood is shows indications of a decline in appearance and maintenance. This is substantiated by depressed property 2 assessed valuations and high vacancy rates. Single family homes average $42,000 in assessed valuation; duplexes average $49,000. The 2000 Census shows that in this general area, fully 68% of the population reports income less than 80% of area median, considered as "moderate - income" or lower according to HUD standards. iv. Project Description Project Purpose The Green and Healthy Homes Initiative is a public /private partnership that refocuses how we as a nation repair and improve housing in economically challenged communities, leading a national strategy, to make sure all families live in homes that are healthy, safe, energy - efficient and sustainable. Lead by the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning (CECLP), a widely recognized national leader in integrating green and healthy homes concepts, GHHI will provide the framework and technical assistance Dubuque needs to integrate sustainability and healthy homes. For many years, we have seen housing improvement efforts operate independently: some people working on weatherization and energy efficiency improvements for homes, others attacking lead paint problems and still others focused on asthma prevention and other environmental hazards. GHHI meets all of these goals in a more efficient, cost - effective and holistic manner by bringing together funding sources, erasing bureaucratic boundaries and addressing all of the problems of a family home at one time. By aligning and coordinating various resources, it offers a single intervention to fix the problems of each housing unit while ensuring the work is safe for both residents and workers. The GHH Collaborative will work to support coordinated, interagency work to demonstrate the benefits of integrating energy - efficiency and healthy homes outcomes together in a comprehensive green and healthy housing strategy. Funds will be used to develop a replicable, systems -based approach to implementing and evaluating "green and healthy" outcomes in low- income residences. With grant support, Dubuque will deliver improved, comprehensive services to low- income families that can be fully measured and evaluated to chart the path towards a national model for providing energy, health and safety benefits to build stable housing for low- income families. Extent of Environmental and Public Health Problems Previous assessments have identified several potential toxins and environmental health hazards that exist in and around the homes throughout the community, particularly in the Washington neighborhood. Assessment of the nature of these threats will be included in the CARE program process. Due to the age of much of the housing stock and the geographic features of the area, lead, radon, asbestos, mold, and safety issues, etc. have been identified as potential problems in indoor environment. In the pilot area for the program, the oldest housing stock provides housing for 40% of our community's children. Of the children tested for elevated blood lead levels in 1992,15% were identified as having an elevated blood lead level. As a result of several city initiatives, the rate of lead poisoning has decreased from to 4.1% (of the children screened who were born 2000 - 2002). This significant decrease exemplifies how the City has effectively used federal funding to address health concerns. However, much work is still needed since this rate is still well above the national average of 1.6 %. Preliminary data collected by the City and many community agencies also affirms that due to the age of housing stock and past flooding in various parts of the city, unmitigated radon, asbestos, mold, and mildew are also toxic threats to households. The Health department conducted a radon study in the city in 1990. One hundred and sixty family homes were tested. Sixty percent of the homes tested above the EPA action level. Also, the State of Iowa ranks first in the nation for the number of homes over this level and Dubuque County continues to be consistent with that. Due to stormwater flooding in 1999 and 2002, many homes experienced standing water in their homes. Even after this water was removed and the homes cleaned and repaired, mold and mildew still remains as the City continues to implement a large - scale, multi-year stormwater management plan, and homes still occasionally receive flooding damage. Evidence of these toxins can be seen in allergy and asthma rates of our residents. Dubuque prides itself on taking a proactive approach to any possible threat to the welfare of our community. For this reason, we see the GHH Collaborative as an opportunity to address those toxins that we have already identified as well as those we may not vet be aware of. Not unique to Dubuque are a group of toxins or household hazardous waste that are emitted from construction materials, cleaning products and other products that are used in the maintenance of homes, For years, residents have used these products and been taught to dispose of them in unhealthy ways, such as flushing them down the toilet. Many of these 3 products emit toxins that are as or more harmful to individuals than toxins produced naturally in the environment of by large - scale manufacturers. As alternatives to many of these products and practices exist and construction companies and homeowners have the power to minimize theses toxins' effects on their environment, we will dedicate a large amount of assessment and education efforts in this area. Project Goals, Performance Plan, and Measurable Results In ensuring that the GHH Collaborative is a success, we believe that, if you can't measure it, you can't manage it. Please see Table 1 (page 10) for a logic model identifying the intended resources, activities, measurable outputs, and outcomes, and impacts of the program. Proposed Timeline for Level 1 of CARE Grant June 2011 • City staff attends National Healthy Homes Conference. Oct 2011 • Meetings of all stakeholders to solidify partnership and finalize plan for GHH Collaborative. • Convene funders and provide education on GHHI. • Showcase GHHI Model and City's Lead and Healthy Homes Programs at the Growing Sustainable Communities Conference Oct 2011— April 2012 • In partnership with existing service providers, complete baseline assessment of 70 homes in Washington Neighborhood. • Assessment tools will be used to identify threatening toxins, including: o "Walking community surveys" & community engagement initiatives to identify exposed soil problems, condition of paint, mold inside homes, and other visible signs of toxins. o Radon test kits, drinking water and storm water samples, and lead paint analyzers. o Tests performed by UD Environmental Science students as part of their established curriculum. o Analysis of waste being collected at the local landfill and HAZMAT collection sites to identify Hazardous Household Materials. • Develop criteria to track and measure data that define a "green and healthy" home— In order to track and measure the added impacts of integrating energy and health interventions, the criteria for measuring the value of these interventions must be determined. Energy - efficiency programs have criteria to measure effectiveness in energy reductions and healthy homes programs have criteria to determine health outcomes in homes. A "green and healthy homes" set of criteria will be identified to measure the cumulative impact of more comprehensive assistance. • "Asset Map" and begin enhanced coordination among all potential services and partners — Central to the mission of this proposal is expanding the circle of networks in the provision of comprehensive housing assistance. CARE funds will provide for staff support to identify local agencies, community organizations, private companies and other potential partners to leverage support for a wider range of services provided to households. Staff support will then serve as the central link to maintain communication in this network to support information sharing and collaboration during the ongoing implementation of the current green and healthy homes work underway among multiple partners. March 2012 • Convene partners and funders every six months to inform and engage them in the GHH process. The CARE grant will be used as an opportunity to explore potential funding streams to support opportunities to maintain a green and healthy homes service delivery system in the long term. A promising possibility is the development of a financial opportunity compact to measure the monetary savings in homes treated due to improvement of asthma (indoor air quality) conditions in households. May 2012 • Facilitated community meeting to educate and engage citizens around the GHH philosophy. An interactive questionnaire will allow those that were unable to attend the meetings to have input and ask questions. Information on the GHH will be available on the City's and other partner's website. • Complete a "GHH demonstration home." We will label all safety hazards and potential toxins in the home (or areas where toxins may exist) and open the house as an interactive exhibit during the education phase of this project. 4 o Develop a mid -term grant report to identify challenges and lessons Teamed from existing implementation underway among the various partners. At the conclusion of the first nine months, a draft report will be released with evaluation of the challenges and strategies to overcome barriers to replicate a green and healthy homes initiative across the nation. The report will identify a wide range of challenges as well as suggested ideas and innovations to overcome these challenges. Topics will include: Funding, technical, workforce, and network barriers and ideas, tools and innovations to overcome the wide range of barriers noted above • Focus groups /educational sessions for community health care providers, focusing on family practice, pediatricians and Crescent Community Health Center. May 2012 —June 2012 • Community meetings to educate community regarding GHH and "How -To" on energy efficiency, safety hazards, and toxins, their relative risks, and potential solutions. These meetings may take place in the GHH demonstration home. Aug 2012 — Dec 2012 • Host contractor /developer, homeowner /tenant, and student panels • Explore possibility for an integrated data management system — identify if there is potential to move agencies to a common data management system. October 2012 • Develop and begin implementation on an action plan with key partners over the final twelve months— Once the criteria, monitoring, evaluation, and players involved have all been identified, a system must be developed to maintain all these connections. An action plan will be developed and work tasks to complete alignment will begin. Completion of the action plan may require an additional six to twelve months. The plan will use staff and consulting support through the CARE proposal to work with partners to institutionalize links across organizations and facilitate collaboration. Jan 2012 — June 2012 • Host contractor /developer, homeowner /tenant workshops. March 2012 • Prepare Level 2 CARE Grant application. (Responsibility: City & CFGD staff) July 2012 — Oct 2012 • Begin to expand education efforts outside of Washington Neighborhood to entire Dubuque community. Educational materials and workshops will be applicable to all citizens, beyond low income. • At the completion of the two -year grant, it is our goal to have firmly established within daily operations the glue needed to sustain a green and healthy homes system. Improvements to data systems will be established, networks will be formalized, barriers will be identified, and solutions proposed and potential funding mechanisms for future longevity will be pursued. With CARE support, Dubuque can move from patchwork assistance to a fully operational, interagency approach to provide green and healthy housing to low- income families. Unless specifically indicated, the above tasks will be the primary responsibility of Community Foundation staff. They will be assisted, where appropriate, from City staff and community partners. Throughout the process, the Community Foundation and City staff, along with EPA staff, will be evaluating its effectiveness and propose changes in the plan as appropriate. This aggressive timeline will prepare us for implementation of the Level 2 CARE grant. During Level 2, we will expand the workshop program, offering classes throughout the City. Additional pre- assessments will be conducted throughout the community. Community Involvement The City of Dubuque is committed to maintaining, renewing, and strengthening its partnerships with community organizations and other key stakeholder groups through the CARE program. The Dubuque community has substantial partnership experience and capacity to implement the CARE program. We are fortunate that a great majority of the proposed partners have worked with the City and each other in the past, particularly the Community Foundation of Greater 5 Dubuque. Bimonthly meetings of the GHH Collaborative group will first focus on establishing a definitive, communicating partnership before addressing toxin mitigation. The Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation will have a key role in involving the Washington Neighborhood in the GHH Collaborative. However, we will actively recruit the whole community to be part of the process and provide information to them through public meetings, information on the City's website and cable channel, and educational materials located at gathering places throughout the city. Dubuque has numerous examples of how businesses contribute to community decision making. At the govemment level, the Developers' Roundtable serves as a forum for open communication and coordination about the City's development review process. Roundtable members include local developers, engineers, architects, and representatives of the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce (DACC), Dubuque Main Street (DMS), Greater Dubuque Development Corporation (GDDC), Dubuque Board of Realtors, and City departments who participate in the in -house Development Review Committee. We expect that many, if not all, of these groups will be active community voices in the GHH Collaborative. In addition, the organizations involved in the GHHI implementation will be part of a learning network. This network will establish a mechanism for mitigation problem solving, blending of funding and braiding of skills and resources to provide efficient service and healthy outcomes. The citizens of Dubuque are accustomed to providing citizen input in decision making at all levels. In Dubuque collaboration from nine active neighborhood associations and grass roots leadership helped create more livable neighborhoods. Recent examples of this collaboration include a project known as Envision 2010 - -10 community projects by 2010, and the Sustainability Task Force, a citizen group that developed ten sustainability elements. Dubuque also completed a downtown visioning process which involved over 2,000 individuals in community meetings, a citizen questionnaire and validation survey. Table 2. Community Partners Organization I Representation Role 1. City of Dubuque (multiple departments) 2. Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque 3. Operation New View 4. Four Mounds Foundation (HEART program) 5. Dubuque Community Schools 6. Northeast Iowa Community College 7. Iowa State University Extension 8. University of Dubuque 9. Gronen Restoration 10. Dubuque Bank & Trust 11. Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency 12. Contractors/Developers Associations 13. Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation * 14. Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce 15. Loras College 1 6. Local Environmental Groups 17. University of Wisconsin- Platteville Environmental Engineering Program 18. Environmental Protection Agency Government Public/private partnership Community action agency Non -profit Institution Institution Institution Institution Private business Private business Government Private business Community Private business Institution Community Institution Government Project Lead Project Lead Assessment, contractor coordination Education /program development Education /curriculum development Community participation, curriculum development Assessment, community participation Assessment Private development, community participation Private lender, community participation Assessment, education Private development Community participation Facilitate business participation Education Environmental assessment, community participation Assessment Assessment, education; facilitation * Working partners of the Community Foundation program, who will actively participate in the GHH ** The Washington Neighborhood Association is an active association made up of residents, busin play an active role in community planning, facilitation, and visioning. 1. Mary Rose Corrigan 563 - 589 -4181 563- 588 -2700 2. Nancy Van Milligen 8. Dan Call 9. John Gronen 6 Collaborative program. ess owners, and church leaders that 563 - 589 -3598 563- 557 -7010 3. Tom Stovall 563- 556 -5130 10. Doug Horstmann 563- 584 -2506 4. Chris Olson 563 - 557 -7292 11. Chuck Goddard 563 - 589 -4354 5. Dr. Larie Godinez 563 - 552 -3013 13. Angela Petsche 563- 582 -1111 6. Wendy Knight 563 - 557 -8271 14. Molly Grover 563- 690 -9203 7. Bill Petsche 563 - 583 -6496 15. Bev Wagner 563 - 588 -7933 Alignment with CARE Strategies The Dubuque Healthy Homes program will successfully address the strategies of the CARE grant. 1. Build effective Collaborative partnerships that include community organizations and residents, businesses, and governments and other appropriate partners. In September 2007, the Dubuque City Council identified "Partnering for a better Dubuque" as a five -year goal. The city of Dubuque has a long history of developing a vision and executing that vision successfully. This process has always included public /private partnerships for a common goal. The GHH Collaborative creates the ideal environment to further this goal. Building upon an existing, strong partnership, the GHH Collaborative will expand the principles of the program and engage Dubuque citizens. Currently, Four Mounds and the Community Foundation program engages people from the city, school system, vocational non - profit organizations and social services agencies. Through GHH Collaborative this effort will expand to include local developers, contractors, lender, building trade organizations, the Community Foundation, the Washington Neighborhood Association and the Solid Waste agency. While some of these organizations have an existing role in the Community Foundation program, through the GHH Collaborative initiative, this role will increase as a result of incorporating an assessment and mitigation process for toxins currently not measured in these homes. Included in the GHH Collaborative program is a process for these partners to meet on a bi- monthly basis to monitor program progress and identify outstanding issues and discuss ways in which to make this information part of the Dubuque citizenry vocabulary. The Community Foundation's strength is bringing individuals and multiple diverse organizations together to effectively address common problems and goals without duplication of services. 2. Provide information, tools, and technical assistance to help communities understand all potential sources of exposure to toxic pollutants. Included in the GHH Collaborative proposed budget are items that will assist in the development of best management practices (BMP) and a BMP'toolkit" and curriculum that will be the key component to community education. Specifically, at the completion of phase I of the GHH Collaborative will be a model assessment matrix that can be used by developers, contractors, homeowners, tenants and educators to help citizens understand how to identify and measure exposure to toxins. Also included in phase I will be two GHH Collaborative mitigation manuals, one - geared toward developers and contractors the second geared toward homeowners, tenants and educators, which will educate citizens on the presence of toxins and hazards and provide practical and applicable strategies for each of these groups to help mitigate toxins identified in the assessment process. These manuals will work in tandem with existing CDC /EPA, HUD Lead, Healthy Homes, radon and air quality materials. Through this program we will increase participation through our ability to educate, not mandate. 3. Focus on action, mobilize local resources and utilize EPA voluntary programs to implement risk reduction activities. The success of the GHH Collaborative program is dependent upon our ability to mobilize local resources and partners into action. As mentioned, the city of Dubuque has a long history of successful visioning and implementation. We recognize that partnering with local, state and federal resources is critical to this success. Through the Community Foundation program this groundwork has been laid and provides the foundation to mobilize others. Through the development of the assessment matrix, the Best Management Practices toolkit and the curriculum manual we can begin to educate the public at large on the risk and rewards of eliminating environmental health hazards during construction and homeownership. By partnering with diversified organizations from the public, private, institutional and non -profit sector we are able to bring a consistent and clear message to citizens that will help reduce environmental health hazards throughout our community and support our local Sustainable Dubuque initiatives. v. Key Personnel David Harris, Housing and Community Development Director, City of Dubuque: The City's Housing and Community Development department administers many housing and neighborhood improvement programs. David is a founder of the Community Foundation Program. 7 Personnel .5 FTE CFGD Project Coordinator $16,000 Travel National Training Workshop- 2 staff attendees (estimates) Airfare: 2 @ $400 roundtrip $800 Per diem: 2 @ 3 days x $71/day $426 Hotel: 2 @ 3 nights x $2001night $1,200 Mileage ($0.511mile) for non -City employees to attend trainings $2,000 Supplies Materials for trainings & meetings, educational materials for participants $5,000 Design, printing & marketing materials for Collaborative outreach & trainings $5,000 Other Sustainable Dubuque Indicators (1) $20,000 Household testing & assessment- $3,000 per 6 pilot households (2) $18,000 Community outreach - workshop & event costs $10,000 Contractual Technology support & household training (3) $18,000 TOTAL CARE REQUEST $ 96 , 426 Nancy Van Milligen, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque: This Foundation helps bridge responsive giving with community needs. The Foundation is a partner in HEART. Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist, City of Dubuque: Mary Rose helped co -write the city of Dubuque's successful Lead based paint grant application and helps administer the assessment portion of the grant. She also serves on the task force to create a community health center helping to write and administer state and federal funds received to operate this facility. Cori Burbach, Sustainability Coordinator. The Sustainability Coordinator, located in the City Manager's office, plays a crucial role in facilitating efforts to make Dubuque a sustainable community and implementing the City's sustainability. Ms. Burbach will also provide significant administrative leadership, technical knowledge and resources for the GHH Collaborative. Chuck Goddard, Solid Waste Agency Administrator, Dubuque Metropolitan Solid Waste Agency (DMASWA): Mr. Goddard has twenty years of experience in the solid waste, recycling and household hazardous materials (HHM) arena. He organized the second permitted HHM collection center in the state of Iowa. Jerelyn O'Connor, Neighborhood Development Specialist, City of Dubuque: Ms. O'Connor acts as a liaison between the City and neighborhood associations and residents. She facilitates efforts and provides assistance to the community in a variety of ways on an on -going basis. Her work has led to an intimate knowledge of and strong relationship with neighborhoods throughout the City. John N. Gronen, President, Gronen Restoration /Gronen Properties: A volunteer that brings "green" building practice, construction knowledge and community dedication to the table as a partner in HEART. Mr. Gronen is the president of a private multi - purpose firm providing visioning, development, construction management and general contracting services for a variety of Dubuque area preservation and restoration projects, dedicated to community revitalization and quality of life. Christine Happ Olson, Executive Director, Four Mounds Foundation: Ms. Olson is a founder in the Community Foundation partnership. She serves as the director of HEART, coordinating partners and leading the program. (1) Incorporation of GHH data and outcomes into the susa Du buque Ind icators protect, a comm u����y engagement and reporting system to assure (a) community wide dispersion of critical information and best practices; and (b) ability for individual GHH households to continue to monitor their progress and outcomes. This will help assure the sustainability of the effort into the future. 8 (2) Working with public and private partners (ranging from DMASWA to IBM) incorporation of pre- and post - action testing and monitoring systems for pilot households, in order to assure documentation of real and demonstrable progress in these households and support extrapolation of the data to provide opportunity and ROI analysis for similar homes throughout the region. Creation of this "tool" should help assure expansion and sustainability of the GHH effort within the region. (3) Provision of supported community outreach meetings, technology training and technological access for participating households, in order to assure the households have access to information and support they will need to maintain their GHH efforts and progress. b. Environmental Results Tracking and Measuring Environmental Results In addition to the measurable outputs and outcomes described in the performance measures, environmental results specific to identified environmental health hazards will also be tracked. A Community Foundation program coordinator will work with City departments, university students, and environmental groups to collect, manage, and analyze data. Based on assessed data levels, bench marks for improvement and goal dates for those improvements will be identified. At the conclusion of the EPA's involvement with the GHH Collaborative program, these bench marks will be evaluated. However, identifying future healthy homes issues and environmental health will continue to be a priority for the City of Dubuque. c. Past Performance & Programmatic Capability: The city of Dubuque has a well - established record of compliance and success of all State and Federal funds that we have received. Dubuque has successfully and effectively completed the following federal assistance agreements: • 2010. EPA Generation Green Public Education Grant (CFDA # 66.951, $28,000) • 2010. FTA Operating Assistance (Grant #IA -90- X349 -00, $880,833) • 2008 -2010. HUD CDBG (CFDA #14.218, $4359,963 over 3 years) • 2008 -2010. HUD Lead Paint Abatement (CFDA #14,900, $2,138,672 over 3 years) • 2009. EPA (pass- through to IFA; Clean Water SRF) (CFDA #66.468, $301,440). Most recently, the City was awarded both the Lead Based Paint hazard Control and the Healthy Homes Production grants. In addition, the City has used State and Federal dollars to administer local grant programs to non - profit organizations and neighborhood associations. We prepare appropriate quarterly, semi - annual and annual reports, including the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plans, Federal Cash Transaction reports and the year -end Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Reports. Staff prepares and conducts, as needed, environmental assessments and monitor contractor compliance with Davis -Bacon wage regulations, affirmative action and equal opportunity requirements. Staff also prepares all sub recipient contracts and disburses CDBG funds. Annual HUD review has determined that our program administration has satisfactorily met federal requirements. A performance outcome measurement system which meets HUD requirements is in place to document and report progress towards achieving the expected results as defined in our Annual and Consolidated Plans. The city of Dubuque has been fortunate to receive numerous State, Regional and Federal grants for various projects including: trail development, transient boat slips, public safety equipment and programming, economic development initiatives, historic preservation and public infrastructure to name a few. The City of Dubuque has never lost a grant due to monitoring failure. Because of our success with grant compliance, the city has received numerous awards including the 2007 & 2006 Distinguished Budget award from GFOA, the 2006 CAFR award from GFOA, the 2006 Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Award and two awards from the US HUD Region 7 Office of Public Housing for our grant funded Family Self Sufficiency program and Housing Choice Voucher Home program. The City has a full -time administrator on staff for these funding programs to monitor our compliance with all regulatory requirements, submit timely drawdowns and payouts for expenses associated with each grant. This position is supported by an accountant and account clerk in our Finance department who monitor all grants received for entry into accounting system and for coordination with our annual auditing process. These staff will work directly with the Sustainability Coordinator and Community Foundation executive director in administering the CARE grant funding. 9 p'���Y. Mal �. ' . RC.l 4I' al 1 . :.. y .,, p: #1 .„�, , .. � �� ° ^ F S' 1 ' , $ 1 { 1 .� `'• Fr 1 ju ,. . [[ �p.�l'�,� s 'f' r<s.M��' sj � ' - ' I FG �.,. s: .� ��., ;M N 5 '.a 1 ' y si.' ri,.,: ih ° . P ,ri•n, a� g i .! "Wl 9.d�FYF �B �'� '(�`3 be. `,$✓km1d � °fit X11 p���,r g � . u, ','' . . , -r;: ' ;' IS F ° 9 r. � {.fi �' �:9rew ; .,Fv3 '.1 � i. �i '�� ,, � 'av . p� .•''i° e g 1 �. ., F F Y ?k' i u,, 'Y t u ° }� ",p✓, s1, g`" . �.. 1, tY ' t a.. 1 , �� ,y.., '�`✓16�+''. 'Ff kP . �' i -�iQ�i „'.. n � wi,' ,bM -nN r� ! Y . ,'Y': d�`ii f.0, j y 's1 , a.� a'';rf Goal 1: Establish the Green and Healthy Homes (GHH) Collaborative; a community partnership of nonprofits, business, govemment and neighborhoods. All existing and new partners 1. Community Stake - holder meetings 2. Engage Funders 3. Community Cafes 1.Bi- monthly stakeholder meetings 2. Finalized list of partners; w/ ability to add new partners as needed 3. Funders convene 1. Number of organizations committed to partnership 2. Broad based understanding of GHH model 3. Funders are informed of GHH 1. Sustained partnership addresses GHH and other community issues in future 2. Citizen empowerment through grassroots involvement Goal 2: Collaborative engages partners to identify & address barriers that prevent current home interventions from working in unison w /GHH model. City housing, health and water depts.; GHH Collaborative, Homeowners & renters; Dubuque Metro Area Solid Waste Agency; CECLP, Utility Companies, EPA Technical Assistance 1. Complete a GHH demonstration house 2. Create menu of healthy home interventions 3. Explore info system to track data and activities 4. Assessment of 6 demonstration homes 1. GHH Collaborative fully understands and is committed to GHH model 2. City Healthy Homes and Lead staff attend Nat'l Healthy Homes Conference 3. A set of "green and healthy home" criteria that can be measured is identified and agreed upon Critical Areas are being addressed: Data systems Barriers removed, Policy analysis, Network building and operational coordination Sustainable funding mechanisms Effective community engagement Working together, this stakeholder group leams and grows and now can now assess healthy homes, look at weatherization, etc. problems and develop solutions. The community leams along with them. Data system identified to track activities and information. Goal 3: Build the community infrastructure to support the implementation of the Green and Healthy Home program City of Dubuque Housing and Health; GHH Collaborative, Community Foundation, Local colleges; Neighborhood Associations; CAP agency; Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, EPA Tech Assistance; Funders, Business owners 1. Assessment of 50 pilot homes in Washington neighborhood 2. Facilitate neighborhood meetings 3. Education workshops 1. Two public forums to educate community about GHH 2. Two homeowner /tenant education workshops 3. Additional public education materials P and marketing 4. Targeted outreach to 50 pilot homes 5. Demonstration house is used for workshops 1. System is in place and supported that allows for blending funding streams and aligning programs. 2. Public, and specifically low income, homeowners/tenants value safe/healthy homes and welcome interventions. 1. Citizens are informed on safe homes and toxins /environmental hazards 2. Homeowners are open to GHH interventions and understand how to sustain the safe environment Goal 4: GHH becomes the way our community does business; aligning programs, blending funds and coordinating agencies and efforts in order to improve housing and life outcomes for families. • Govemment, Business, Nonprofits, Education, Funders and Neighborhoods 1. Public education & marketing campaign 2. Collaborative continues to move GHH forward 3. Data system is perfected & reports info to community in meaningful ways 1. Coordinated service delivery w/blended funding streams and ability to track data and activities. 2. Community has developed new ways to attract funding. Partnership is self - sustaining New problem assessments are completed New solutions are identified Community is engaged and informed The community has a coordinated, efficient system in place to sustain the GHH model and to provide improved home environments and life outcomes for families rformance Plan, and Measurable Results