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Commission authorizes $31,000 LMI survey to pursue CDBG eligibility
Summary
The commission authorized the city manager and city attorney to negotiate and execute a $31,000 agreement with Governmental Assistance Services to perform a low-to-moderate-income survey so Ottawa can document CDBG eligibility and apply for up to three grants through 2030.
The Ottawa City Commission voted to authorize staff to negotiate and execute an agreement with Governmental Assistance Services (GAS) to conduct a low-to-moderate-income (LMI) survey, a necessary step for some Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding opportunities.
City Clerk Sherman explained the purpose: when census data does not establish eligibility, a certified LMI survey may be used to demonstrate whether at least 51% of beneficiaries meet the LMI threshold. "This proposal would be a flat fixed fee for $31,000, which could be used at our capital improvement fund," Sherman said, describing GAS’s scope: random sampling of addresses, survey form preparation, tabulation, and submission for verification.
GAS representative Garrett Nordstrom told commissioners the methodology follows state guidance and would sample every address in the city to establish eligibility. Commissioner Skidmore moved the authorization; the motion passed on a roll call with the recorded votes: Skidmore — yes; Van Leyden — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Crowley — yes; Mayor Clayton — yes; Commissioner Allen — absent.
Staff said if the survey documents the required threshold the city could submit up to three CDBG grant applications through 2030; any subsequent grant applications would return to the commission for approval.
