11-09-09 Community & Economic Development Committee

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~iti=a~ ~'~~ COMMUNITY 8~ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD COMMITTEE November 9, 2009 Chairperson Rouse called the joint meeting of the Community and Economic Development and Residential Neighborhood Committees to order at 3:20 p.m. Community and Economic Development Committee Members Present: Timothy Rouse, Chairperson, Ann Puzzello, Henry Davis, Jr., Karen L. White, Catherine Andres, Citizen Member Residential Neighborhood Committee Members Present: Timothy Rouse, Chairperson, Karen L. White, AI "Buddy" Kirsits, Derek Dieter Other Councilmember's Present: Tom LaFountain Other's Present: Rita Kopala, Martha Lewis, Phil Byrd, Pam Meyer, Gregg Zientara, Mayor Luecke, Tom Price, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Gary Gilot Agenda: Bill No. 85-09 -Appropriation CDBG Bill No. 86-09 -Transfer CDBG Funds With a quorum present, Chairperson Rouse, of both CED and Residential Neighborhood Committees in a joint hearing opened the meeting by introducing the presenter of Bills 85-09 & 86-09, Pam Meyer, Director, Community Development. Pam began with a background overview of the CDBG grant allocation process leading up to the transfer and appropriation requests in these bills. Most importantly was the continued shift of dollars from public services to neighborhood revitalization efforts initiated by the administration and endorsed by the Council in previous years. She said this would be the last year of a four year plan to wean public service funding from the CDBG budget. The emphasis would be to reinforce efforts to create, home ownership opportunities for low and moderate income families. Ms. Meyer said only two proposals were rejected, one finding funding elsewhere. Councilmember Henry Davis, quoting a '07 press release from the city, said two years ago 400 vacant and abandoned homes were slated for demolition. What progress had been he asked? Gary Gilot, Director of Public Works, stated 390 houses had been demolished to date. Councilmember Henry Davis then asked the Mayor if any private dollars had been invested in the neighborhoods in most need. The Mayor said the focus was still necessarily on clearing blight before private dollars could be persuaded to invest. Councilmember Henry Davis felt a way to do both was needed. He also wondered how progress in efforts to revitalize neighborhoods could be or was being measured. Councilmember Rouse interjected concerns about the openness of the CDBG application process. He felt while legal requirements may have been met, the process was no inclusive enough. More awareness in the community should be developed. As well, subcontractors should file development plans and periodic progress reports to the Council. Only that way could the Council measure attainment of goals. Next year, he added, changes would be required. In her department's defense, Pam Meyer said all federal funds required adherence to a comprehensive five (5) year plan put together and monitored by a public process subsequently ratified by the Council. Councilmember Rouse stated the Council has the ultimate responsibility to oversee expenditures and measure their effective use. He said the grant application may have