11-10-08 Community and Economic Development

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COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NOVEMBER 10, 2008 Committee Members Present: Henry Davis, Vice-Chairperson; Ann Puzzello; Karen White; Citizen Members: M. Catherine Andres; Mark Smith Others Present: AI "Buddy" Kirsits; Timothy Rouse; Tom LaFountain; Gary Gilot; Catherine Fanello; Rita Kopala; Martha Lewis; Jamie Loo; Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand; Jeff Gibney; Bob Matia; Marti Wolfson AGENDA: BILL N0.65-08 -APPROPRIATION FROM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND N0.212 Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., Vice-Chairperson presides. This bill appropriates $2,261,981 in CDBG funds and $495,000 in unspent re-programmed funds for the 2009 Action Plan of the Community Development Department. Subbing for Director Pam Meyer, Judy Rosheck, explained the dollar amount in each program element. She stated all public input hearing requirements were held prior to submission. Councilmember Puzzello asked about the "one dollar" house program absence in the request. Jeff Gibney, Director of Community and Economic Development Department, explained the program in '08 had failed to attract but a handful of applicants. He attributed this mostly to the costs associated with rehab to be borne by the owners. With such few interested the city decided to re-program over $400,000 in allocated but unspent dollars. Tim Rouse asked is any of this money could be spent for crossing guards. Gibney allowed that perhaps so in targeted areas, but not likely. Nonetheless he would explore the possibility. Martha Lewis asked if any dollars were available for non-targeted neighborhoods to which Gibney said HUD severely restricts use of dollars in CDBG's. Councilmember White made a motion, seconded by Citizen Member M. Catherine Andres to send this bill to the full Council favorably. BILL N0.66-08 -APPROPRIATION FORM EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT PROGRAM FROM FUND N0.212 Judy Rosheck subbing for Pam Meyer requested approval of an appropriation of $118,833 in the '09 Action Plan of the Community Development Department. In total four agencies which provide these services would share the dollars. All hearing and public input requirements have been met. Councilmember Puzzello made a motion, seconded by Citizen Member Mark Smith to send this bill to the full Council favorably.