HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 20, 1990 COW Community Block Grant Public Hearing
March 20 , 1990
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Mayor VanDeVoorde called the Hearing to order at 7 :00
p.m. , in the Council Chambers . Members present : Councilmen
Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor
VanDeVoorde. Absent : None.
Pat Andrews presented a general program summary and stated
the community objectives developed for achieving the primary
goal of the Community Development Block program are:
1. Elimination and prevention of slums and blighting influences
on the community.
2 . Elimination of conditions detrimental to health, safety
and welfare.
3 . Conservation and expansion of housing for all persons ,
but especially low and moderate income persons .
4 . Expansion and improvement of community services , principally
for low and moderate income persons .
5 . Rational utilization of land and natural resources
and an improved arrangement of land uses .
6 . Promotion of neighborhood revitalization, diversity,
and vitality while actively discouraging isolation of
persons by income.
7 . Promotion of restoration and preservation of signifi-
cant properties .
8 . Stimulation of private investment and community revitali-
zation through an improved local economy.
9 . Conservation and improvement of energy resources , and
provision of alternative and renewable energy sources .
The 1990-1991 Program allocation is estimated to be $648 ,000 .
Additionally, an estimated $19 , 000 is available for budgeting
from CDBG Program Income. Therefore , it is estimated
that $667 , 000 is available for the 1990-1991 CDBG Program.
Planning and Management
Arlene Kollar, City Planner, proposed the continued funding
of the Planning and Management function through the CDBG
program as referenced in the adopted City Budget for 1990 .
The proposed funding level is $80 , 000 .
Community Block Grant Public Hearing
March 20 , 1990
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Neighborhood Housing Services - Revolving Loan Fund
Marianne Nelson, President of the Neighborhood Housing
Services proposed the replenishment of the revolving loan
fund in the amount equal to the amount invested in the
property at 205 N. Gifford ( $46 ,000 ) . This loan fund would
enable NHS to serve a great number of the most needy residents
in the NHS area. These are residents that will not fit
into the lending programs currently available.
Neighborhood Housing Services - Homeownership Program
In 1989 NHS submitted a CDBG proposal for the financing
of a purchase/rehabilitation project . That proposal was
approved conceptually but funding was reduced from the
requested amount of $90 ,000 to $30 , 000 . Since that approval
a committee has met to discuss the opportunities in making
home ownership a reality for more low and moderate income
people, given this level of funding. It was determined
that these funds may be better used to provide creative
financing for first mortgages rather than using the funds
to actually purchase , own and rehabilitate a property.
In 1990 NHS hopes to become one of the many NHS ' across
the country providing lst mortgage financing for properties
in the NHS area. The $30 , 000 reallocation will provide
the NHS with the leverage to make as much as $1 million
in first mortgages available, if local lenders are agreeable
to providing a participation pool.
Housing Authority of Elgin
Sandra Freeman, Executive Director of the Housing Authority,
submitted a proposal for 150 refrigerators for the 120
South State Street building and walk-way lights for Central
Park Towers . Total amount of the request $61, 056 . 00 .
Fox River Center for Independent Living - Curb Cuts
Lori Clark, Executive Director, requested $20 , 000 for
40 textured curb cuts .
Fox River Center for Independen Living - Home Renovation
Fund.
Lori Clark stated this proposal is designed to set up
a fund of money to assist disabled people involving common
renovation problems found in their apartments/homes . Such
a fund as this would allow persons with disabilities to
live independently in housing suited to their specific
needs . Total amount of request $50 ,000 .
i
Community Block Grant Public Hearing
March 20 , 1990
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Parks Department - St . Francis Park
Ross Ricks , Parks Director, proposed an expansion to the
subject park, together with the purchase of additional
playground equipment . Total amount of request $30 , 000 .
Parks Department - Zayre Park
Mr. Ricks proposed the design and installation of a complete
modular playground system geared towards pre-school through
elementary school age children. Total amount of request
$50, 000.
Parks Department - Walton Island Renovation
Mr. Ricks stated the Grant Funds are being requested in
order to continue the islands improvement program, which
would include the following items :
Erosion Control Features
Vehicle and foot bridges - Handicap accessible
Stairway down from Highland Bridge
Walkways
Lighting
New signs
Benches
Tables
Trash containers
Fishing pier
Gazebo
Total amount of request $50 , 000 .
Planning Department - Residential Rehabilitation Program
This program has been in existence since 1977 and has
assisted in the improvement of over 650 dwelling units
throughout the community.
Program participation has increased substantially and
the annual funding level should be increased from $150 , 000
to $180 , 000 . An additional consideration for an increase
in CDBG funding is that the amount of the 100% grants
have not been increased for five years .
Total amount of request $180 ,000 .
Friends of the Fox
The Friends of the Fox River proposed that CDBG funds
be used to hire an architectural firm specializing in
Community Block Grant Public Hearing
March 20 , 1990
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urban, water related design to design and submit plans
for an Elgin Riverwalk between Kimball and National Streets .
Total amount of request $40 , 000 .
Elgin National Little League
The Board of Directors of the Elgin National Little League
submitted a proposal for the baseball field on Route 58
in Elgin, which provided for the following improvements :
Lights for a second diamond - $35 , 000
New Fences and Backstops - $15 , 000
New Storage Shed - $4 , 000
Two New Dugouts - $4 , 000
New Bleachers - $10 , 000
Total amount of request $68 , 000 .
Elgin Public Museum, Inc.
Nancy Epping, Executive Director, submitted a proposal
calling for replacement of the existing 20-25 year old
furnace with a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
unit , with a HUmidifier attachment , and installation of
additional duct work to the first and second floor.
Total amount of request $23 , 900 .
Human Resources - Fair Housing Assistance Program
Denise Bell, Fair Housing Specialist stated the objective
of this request is to provide assistance to the Hispanic
speaking population ( 14% of Elgin' s population is Hispanic .
Funds for a Bi-Lingual Assistant would help comply with
the certification requirements as set forth by HUD to
affirmatively further fair housing in the Elgin community.
Total amount of request $20 , 000 .
Gifford Park Association, Inc .
In 1988 when GPA first proposed mid-block lighting, it
was GPA' s intent to provide street lighting at every intersection;
when the Association learned more about the program and
identified visual impact and traffic/pedestrian safety
as major concerns , there was a need to strengthen the
program with more lighting.
Community Block Grant Public Hearing
March 20 , 1990
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The Gifford Park Association is requesting $45 , 000 in
CDBG funds for 33 additional intersection lights as a
Phase II Historic Street Lighting Program. The additional
funds represent and increase in the cost of the lights
over the last two years , the concurrence of City Staff
and the GPA that two lights per intersection on the most
traveled streets will have a more successful impact than
one light on may scattered intersections , and the need
for expert advice before GPA begins putting the lights
in.
Total amount of request $46 , 000 .
Arthur and Deborah Allan submitted a proposal for $10 , 000
for staff' s use and materials and experts to draft an
ordinance for the protection of Elgin ' s mature trees and
for a plan to mark Elgin' s treets as "protected" in those
areas eligible for block grant funding, and that such
marking be done by forestry experts who know which trees
should be preseved and how to mark them without injury.
Total amount of request $10 , 000 .
Announcement
The City Council will meet on April 17 , 1990 , at 7 : 00
p.m. , for a work session to consider all funding proposals
submitted. The Council will consider the proposals submitted,
public comments made regarding the CDBH program, and will
select projects to be recommended for funding. At this
meeting, public comments are usually limited to responses
to questions from the Council members regarding a particular
proposed project or activity.
Adjournment
Councilman Fox made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman
Moylan to adjourn the Public Hearing. Yeas : Councilmen
Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor
VanDeVoorde. Nays : None.
The hearing adjourned at 8 : 30 p.m.
Marie Yearman, City Clerk