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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 3, 1992 COW COMMUNITY BLOCK GRANT PUBLIC HEARING MARCH 3, 1992 Mayor VanDeVoorde called the public hearing to order at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers . Present: Councilmembers Fox, Moylan, Popple, Walters, and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Absent: Councilmembers Gilliam and Yearman. Presentation on Community Development Block Grant Proqram and Eliqibility Criteria Patricia Andrews, Planning Department, stated in a brief overview that the purpose of tonight's hearing is to provide information on the CDBG program eligible activities and estimated funding, to provide an opportunity for public comments on the City's community development activities, and to hear and accept proposals for funding for the 1992-1993 CDBG program. This is the 18th year that Elgin has participated in the CDBG program. It is anticipated that the City will receive $761,000 in federal funds and approximately $18,865 in program income, primarily through repayment of loans made with funding from block grant programs for housing rehabilitation. Additional monies may be added to the total of $779,865 by rebudgeting past projects. The primary goal of the Community Development Block Grant Program is the development of viable urban communities through the provision of decent housing with a suitable living environment and the expansion of economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. Not less than 70 percent of CDBG funds shall be used for activities that benefit persons of low and moderate income. In addition to low and moderate income benefits, projects which eliminate blight and blighted influences are also eligible under the Community Development Block Grant Program. Citizens Comments on Past Performance and Community Needs None. PRESENTATION OF FUNDING PROPOSALS Planninq Department - Planninq/Management and Rehab Rebate Proqram Arlene Kolar, City Planner, presented the following two proposals for funding: The Planning Department proposes that $80,000 be allocated to the planning and management function of the CDBG program, which is an eligible activity under the federal guidelines . Community Block Grant Public Hearing March 3, 1992 Page 2 Previous projects undertaken by staff include 1984 Central Business District Plan, the South Grove and Summit/Dundee Tax Increment Redevelopment Plans, the Northwest Area Plan, and the City' s Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Department requested that the funding level of $180,000 be continued for the Elgin Residential Rehabilitation Rebate Program, which has assisted over 750 dwelling units in the community since 1977 . The program provides financial assistance in addressing health and code violations and energy efficiency. Approximately 45 residential units were assisted this past year. Neighborhood Housing Services - Rental Rehab Program (RRP) Stuart Wasilowski of Neighborhood Housing Services requested the sum of of $105,000 to fund a new Rental Rehab Program. Two major features of the program would be code compliance and providing affordable rental housing for families . Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley - Purchase Lot John Snow, on behalf of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley, requested $20,000 with which to purchase property within Elgin' s targeted CDBG area on which to erect a house in 1992 . I Engineering Division, Public Works Department - Street Reconstruction Proiect Mel Dahl, City Engineer, requested the sum of $200,000 to partially fund a street reconstruction project to replace and/or repair sidewalks, driveways, curb and gutter and resurfacing of Stella, Percy and Henry Streets . Parks Department - Civic Improvements Dave Osborn of the City Parks and Recreation Department, requested a total of $54,000 for the following projects: Carleton Rogers Park - replace stone wall at east border and replace existing light fixtures $30,000 Advocate Place Park - repair wall 4,000 Civic Center Parking Lots replace hed ge s with 'Burning Bushes ' 20,000 R Community Block Grant Public Hearing March 3, 1992 Page 3 I Kairos Family Center - Capital Improvements Ron Ahlman, President of Kairos Family Center, Inc. , presented a request for the sum of $17,500 for renovation, modernization and reconstruction of the center' s existing facilities . I Senior Services Associates, Inc. - Roof Replacement Barbara Schiller, Assistant Director, presented a request for the sum of approximately $5,250 to replace the roof of the center located at 101 South Grove Avenue. Mother Goose Child Development Center - Facilities Upqrade Ronald Barkby presented a request for the sum of $41,000 to upgrade the facilities located in the basement of the Presbyterian Church. The proposed upgrade would include remodeling three bathrooms, replace carpet, commercial ovens, personal computer system, and classroom equipment. Elgin Area Childcare Initiative - Child Care Scholarships Agnes Kovacs, Executive Director, presented a request for funding in the amount of $60,000 to be used to place children from low income families into licensed care, summer camps, special projects or school sponsored child care programs during the summer and licensed or school sponsored child care programs during the 1992-1993 school year. Ms . Kovacs also asked the City Council whether the program could be expanded to include families who work, but not reside, in Elgin. Centro De Informacion Y Proqreso - Parentinq Proqram and Rehabilitation of Facility for Youth Center Raul Nadal Jr. , Executive Director, submitted proposals for funding as follows : Parent training program series for Spanish-speaking families of low and moderate income $10,000 Repairs to the second floor of the facility located at 62 Fountain Square Plaza to be used as a youth center under the sponsorship of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America 25,000 I Community Block Grant Public Hearing March 3, 1992 Page 4 Greater Elgin Area YMCA - Various Proposals Patrick Nelson, President, presented the following funding proposals for the Channing YMCA facility: New furniture and game room equipment $11,000 Three half-time positions for social work students 24,000 Computer equipment and software programs to be used by youth participating in PASS (after school program for elementary age youth) 15,000 Installation of elevator, elevator equipment, remodeling of entrance area, ramping and doorways to provide handicap accessibility 120,000 Community Contacts, Inc. - Home Repair Program Energy Services resented a Lan horn Director of En , P Julia Lang horn, 9Y request for funding in the amount of $15,000 for a Home Repair Program, which would provide funding to correct substandard housing conditions and make essential improvements to major systems that are in danger of failure for the low income population that does not have the disposable income to address those needs . The proposed program would be in conjunction with Community Contacts, Inc. ' s Weatherization and Furnace Repair/Replacement Program. Health Center - Prescription Medication, Nancy ? , presented a proposal on behalf of the Health Center, which is a free medical clinic, staffed by volunteer doctors and nurses, located at 6 North State Street. The Center requests funding in the amount of $5,000 to purchase prescription medications to be dispensed to the underprivileged seeking medical care at the Health Center. Ecker Center - Installation of Parking Lot Liqht and Exit from Basement Don Boehmer submitted a request for funding in the amount of $2,355 to install another exit from the basement, as required by the City, and $2,582 to install a dusk to dawn light to provide proper security in the parking area for the short-term residential respite facility located at 695 South State Street. Community Block Grant Public Hearing March 3, 1992 Page 5 Community Crisis Center, Inc. - Repairs to Center Gretchen Vapnar, Director, presented a request for funding in the amount of $17,000 to make interior and exterior repairs related to the health and safety of staff, volunteers, clients and residents to the facility located at 37 South Geneva Street. Fox River Valley Center for Independent Livinq - Curb Cuts Marlene Moony, Program Director, submitted a request for funding in the amount of $29, 754 for 30 new textured curb cuts to continue toward the goal of making the City a completely accessible community for people with disabilities . Renz Addiction Counselinq Center - High Adventure Proqram Steve Lei.tner presented a proposal for funding in the amount of $51,000 to initiate the High Adventure program, which is a comprehensive, multifaceted community organization approach to the prevention of gang and drug activity in Elgin' s youth through education and challenging activities . The proposed program intends to replicate the "Get High On Life" model of the Mothers Against Drugs (MAD) program used in Louisiana. High Adventure will be administered by Prevention, Education and Resource Consultants (PERC) , a program of Renz Addiction Counseling Center. Replacement of Broken Curbs and Driveway Aprons on Prairie Street Dan Miller submitted a proposal for funding in the amount of approximately $7,920 to replace 18 driveway aprons and 150 feet of curbs on Prairie Street from Villa to Channing. Housinq Authority of Elqin - Various Projects Sandra Freeman, Executive Director, submitted the following proposals for funding: Smoke alarms for the visually and hearing impaired - Central Park Towers $40, 000 Emergency and exit lighting in Central Park Towers 8,000 Non-skid stairwells - Central Park Towers 3,500 Water meter vaults - Clifford and Owasco Courts 5,500 Rehab second floor - 355 Dundee Avenue 11,550 Electric alarm system - 355 Dundee Avenue 1, 180 Community Block Grant Public Hearing March 3, 1992 Page 6 I Center City Development Corporation - Economic Restructurinq Proqram Mike Turner Center City Development Director, submitted requests for funding as follows: Design and development of matching marketing programs to encourage consumer confidence and purchases in the Center City retail establishments $25,000 Acquisition of property in and/or around Fountain Square Plaza to be redeveloped by the Center City Development Corporation for the purpose of economic development in a severely depressed area $125, 000 . Announcements Mayor VanDeVoorde announced that the next Community Block Grant meeting will be March 31, 1992, at 6 p.m. in the Council Conference Room. This will be a work session during which the Council will disc uss the proposed projects and budgeting. Adjournment Councilman Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan, to close the public hearing and adjourn the meeting. Yeas : Councilmembers Fox, Moylan, Popple, Walters, and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays: None. The public hearing adjourned at 7 :55 p.m. March 31 , 1992 Dolonna Mecum`, City Clerk Date Approved