HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/25/07 Community and Economic Development Committee MinutesCommunity and Eeonomiic Development Committee
2007 Sough Bend Common Council
The September 25, 2007 meeting of the Community and Economic Development
Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson,
Council Member Derek D. Dieter at 4:30 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter and Puzzello; Citizen Member
Phil Panzica, Citizen Member Martin Wolfson, Jeff Gibney, Tom Price, Pam Meyer,
Judy Rosheck, Jahn Sellers, Martha Lewis, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council
Attorney.
Council Member Dieter noted that the Committee members include Council Members
Kelly, Puzzello, White, and himself; and Phil Panzica Marty Wolfson serve as citizen
members.
Administration°s Recommendations on CDBGIHOMEIESG:
Council Member Dieter welcomed the Administrative staff members of the Community
and Economic Development Committee to the meeting and asked for a presentation on
their recommendations for CDBGIHOMEIESG funds.
Jeff Gibney, interim Executive Director highlighted items on the two-page handout
entitled "HCD Application far Program Year 200$" (copy attached). He noted that:
2008 CDBG Entitlement Amount = $2,730,372 (assumes a 5% cut)
Reprogrammable funds = $ 360,083
Section 108 Laan = $ 0
Program income - $ 217,000
Total available for 20U8 = 3 3{37 455
The three (3) federal sources of income for neighborhood revitalization for low and
moderate income are:
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
• HOME
• Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG)
Mr. Gibney noted that there were 68 applications which were reviewed by Pam Meyer,
Beth Leonard and himself with 44%.of those being recommended for funding.
Community and Economic ®eveiopmet Committee
September 25, 2007
Page 2
In response to a question from Council Member Puzzello, Mr. Gibney noted that 30% of
the HOME funds plus CIP monies will be used for the Triangle. He noted that
historically, CDBG funds were used via a loan arrangement to relocate commercial
businesses from the West Washington Street area and that low and moderate income
rentals were then assimilated into the development. Approximately a $9 million loan
was used for the Studebaker Corridor with the loan being paid back with TIF & COIT
funds.
Mr. Gibney stated that there is a 20% cap for administrative costs for the projects listed
in yellow on the handout; and that there is a 15% cap for the projects listed in blue.
In response to a question from Council Member Dieter, Mr. Gibney stated that the
$17,000 listed for DTSB, Inc, would be used for Administrative costs with the funding
source being the parking lots. Mr. Gibney sfafed that he would send a copy of the
updated contract to fhe Office of fhe City Clerk on the parking lot arrangemenf.
Mr. Gibney noted that social services requests have been funded at a reduced level of
72% of their request, and that he would be meeting with all social service agencies in
the months ahead.
In response to a question from Council Member Dieter, Mr. Gibney sfafed that he would
provide additional infom~atian on where the bike patrols are to be and more information
on the Neighborhood Watch.
Mr. Gibney noted that housing funds will be targeted in two (2) basic ways:
• Will be invested strategically
• Will be available on a city-wide basis for neighborhood revitalization in income
eligible locations.
He noted that "Rebuilding Together" is the former "Christmas in April" which has
hundreds of volunteers with close to a million dollars of donated time and money.
Professor Wolfson inquired about the definition of "low and moderate income". Mr.
Seller offered fo provide a chart on law and moderate income since if does very
depending on fhe federal program.
It was noted that generally 8Q% of the median income [$38,OOD] for a family of four (4);
with renters being generally 60% of the median income for a family of four (4).
It was noted that the monies recommended for the Youth Service Bureau were
recommended before St. Joseph County cut their funding to this agency.
Community and Ecnnnmic C7evelnpment Committee
September 25, 2007
Page 3
In response to a question from Council Member Dieter, Mr. Sellers stafed thaf he would
fled auf whaf percentage fhe funding for the Center for the Nameless is of fheir entire
budgef.
Mr. Gibney noted that upgrades have been requested for the Habitat Homes with the
subsidies listed helping to fund such upgrades.
Beth Leonard noted that:
Public Comment Period begins September 28' 2007 and ends October 31, 2007
® Two {2} public hearings will be held an October 11, 2007 @ 2:30 pm and 5:30
pm
® November 11, 2007 will be the date of the public hearing on the appropriation
ordinance before the South Bend Common Council
Mr. Gibney noted that Pam Meyer will be taking over the planning, monitoring, etc.
responsibilities for CDBG, ESF and HOME, with Judy Rosheck and John Sellers
working with Pam; and that Beth Leonard will be a development analyst.
Council Member Dieter thanked everyone for the information and then adjourned the
Committee meeting at 5:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Derek Dieter, Chairperson
Community Econo~"i Develapm~nt Committee
Attachment ~ ~ ~ ~ ®.~