09-23-04 Community & Economic Development

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The South Bend Common Council's Standing Committee Report from the Community and Economic Development Committee The September 23, 2004 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly at 4:03 p.m., in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Kelly, Puzzello, and Kuspa, Community and Economic Development Executive Director Sharon Kendall, Director of Financial & Program Management Beth Leonard, Judy Rosheck, John Sellers, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney. Council Member Kelly noted that the Committee meeting was called in order to receive a presentation on the 2005 requests for the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME,and Emergency Shelter Grant(ESG)funding recommendations. Director of Financial & Program Management Beth Leonard provided a two-page handout to the Committee (copy attached). It detailed the HCD applications for program year 2005. It noted that administration expenses are limited to a 20%cap of$697,168 and that public services were limited to a 15%cap of$546,576. Ms. Leonard stated that the proposed allocations are subject to a mandatory 30-day comment period which would run from September 27, 2004 to November 1, 2004. In response to a question, she noted that the proposed allocations are not posted on the City's website. Ms. Leonard stated that Mayor Luecke would like to have a separate meeting on the $21 million item listed under the South Bend Dept. of Redevelopment for a "Studebaker/Oliver redevelopment" under section 570.201(d) to address "slum/blight" conditions. This may be a separate request to the federal government. In response to a question from Council Member Puzzello,it was noted that if the$21 million request goes forward that it would be in the form of a loan. Some of the major changes included: moving the Youth Development Commission so that they are under the guidelines for public service; ARC Angels requested $30,000 however they did not submit their information on time and there are some questions on their financials which could be addressed and they could be added in at the end of the comment period; Neighborhood Watch submitted their paper work late last year but were on time this year for their $90,000 request; REAL Services did not reapply for a $12,000 which was used for their guardianship program; and LaSalle Park District Council did not reapply for monies for the LaSalle Fillmore Neighborhood Center. Council Member Puzzello inquired about possible funding for the Near Northeast Neighborhood Center. Ms. Leonard stated that there are difficulties in adding new agencies, however there is always a possibility. Applications are due August 1st of each year and application forms are available in mid-June. Community and Economic Development Committee Meeting of September 23,2004 Page 1