09-21-09 Community and Economic Development Minutes

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n ~~ ~'`~ ~:,~~ ~~~ -~: ~'~~~-. COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 9-21-09 Timothy A. Rouse, Chairperson, Community and Economic Development Committee called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. Committee Members Present: Henry L. Davis, Jr., Vice-Chairperson, Ann Puzzello, Karen L. White; Catherine Andres, Citizen Member Other Councilmember's Present: Derek Dieter, Oliver Davis Other's Present: Mayor Luecke, Pam Meyer, Rita Kopala, Linda Beckley, YWCA, Judy Rosheck, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Jeff Parrott Agenda: 2010 CDBG and ESG Funds & Recommendations Chairperson Rouse stated that this meeting was called to review the 2010 CDBG and ESG allocations. He called upon Pam Meyer, the Director of Community Development to present the 2010 information. With the aid of a color handout, Pam noted that $3,078,707 were available in CDBG funds for 2010. The application process and respective budget calendars were described as well as the policy guidelines that underlined the allocation decisions of the administration. Pam reminded the Council that the 25% cut for 2010 in public services was reflective of a policy to phase out "soft" programs over a three year period in favor of "bricks & motor" programs adopted a couple of years back. This focus was intended to address blight in neighborhoods. The administration formulated this policy, in part, as a result of the Council's desire to emphasize "quality of life" issues in the "challenged" neighborhoods. Pam went on to assure the committee that all allocations met HUD eligibility guidelines, all public notices were given, and all subsequent applications for funds were reviewed in the context of the administrations stated policies. Moving to the handout, Pam indicated the planning and administration costs were shown in yellow. Public services in green and funded programs in blue. In particular Pam noted new program funding such as $50,000 awarded to the Center for the Homeless to rehab a building directed to provide services to veterans. Karen White wondered why neighborhood centers were not on the list. Pam said they did not apply or were in some cases not eligible. That led Tim Rouse to ask about the level of public participation in the process. He took exception to Pam's response that notices were published in the paper, meeting federal requirements. Rouse suggested more could be done to "reach out." Participation was limited, in part, because of a lack of awareness among the community. Derek Dieter asked about programs for the NNW.