HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 3, 1993 COW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PUBLIC HEARING
MARCH 3, 1993
The Special Committee of the Whole meeting, Community
Development Block Grant Public Hearing, was called to order by
Mayor VanDeVoorde at 6 : 30 p.m. in the Council Chambers .
Present: Councilmembers Fox, Gilliam (arrived at 7 : 15 p.m. ) ,
Moylan, Popple, Walters, Yearman, and Mayor VanDeVoorde.
Absent: None.
Presentation from the Planninq Department Providinq an Overview,
of the 1993 Community Development Block Grant Program
Planning Director Dahlstrom stated that the City of Elgin has
participated in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
program since its inception, and this is the 19th year. The
City is scheduled to receive $884,000 federal funds and
approximately $115, 000 in program income, for a total of
$999 ,000 . Additional monies may be added through rebudgeting of
past projects .
The block grant program is a federal program, which requires
adherence to numerous procedural regulations, compliance with
various federal acts and programs, and the submission of a
Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) .
Mr. Dahlstrom outlined some of the eligible projects, which
include acquisition and disposition of property, public
facilities and improvements, clearance activities, some limited
public services, payment of nonfederal share, relocation, loss
of rental income, removal of architectural barriers,
homeownership assistance, rehabilitation and preservation,
planning and program administration. Not less than 60 percent
of CDBG funds must be used for activities that benefit persons
of low and moderate income.
In addition to providing information on the CDBG program,
eligible activities, and estimated funding, the purpose of
tonight' s public hearing is to provide an opportunity for public
comments on past and future CDBG programs, and presentation of
proposals by individuals and organizations for funding in the
1993 program.
Receipt of Comments from Citizens Reqardinq the Community
Development Block Grant Proqram; Past, Present and Future
Activities
Susan Schumpp, Executive Director of Community Contacts, Inc.
stated that their organization had been approved for $20,000 in
funding for housing rehabilitation in last year' s CDBG program.
It was their intention to use that money to leverage additional
monies from the federal government. They have not yet used this
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Community Development Block Grant Public Hearing
March 3, 1993
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funding, because of the difficulty and complexity involved in
applying for the additional federal funds . However, in February
1993, they were approved for a $400,000 grant, and they still
want to use the $20,000 in CDBG funds . Pat Andrews of the
Planning Department stated that since this project is in the
current year program, these funds are still available to
Community Contacts, Inc.
Presentation of Proposals by Individuals and Orqanizations for
Fundinq under the 1993 Community Development Block Grant Program
Neiqhborhood Housinq Services, Inc.
Ken Moran, on behalf of Neighborhood Housing Services,
requested the sum of $165, 000 to fund a new Rental Rehab Program
to be operated in a fashion similar to previous programs . In
the past five years, the program has impacted 54 units in 20
projects.
City Property Department
City Property Director Moller presented proposals for the
following three projects:
A. Modify five elevators in four City buildings to
bring them in compliance with ADA accessibility
standards $ 37 , 148
B. Change the entryway of the City Hall building in order
to eliminate any material and architectural barriers that
restrict the mobility and accessibility of elderly and
disabled persons :
Option I - remove existing revolving door; install
automatic handicapped accessible doors; and minimal
changes to existing reception area. $65,000
Option II - enclose passageway between the two wings
of City Hall building; provide for handicapped access
through the new entryway; and relocate reception area
into the newly created space. $190,000
C. Neighborhood Home Restoration and Single Family
Ownership Program - purchase two vacant homes in low
and/or moderate income areas of the city for
rehabilitation and to be sold to low or moderate
income families. $300,000
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Community Development Block Grant Public Hearing
March 3, 1993
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Parks and Recreation Department
Greg Bayor, Parks and Recreation Director, presented a
three-year proposal . The projects proposed for 1993 are as
follows :
Accessible play piece at Huff School (Drake
Field) . $90,000
Accessible play piece at Grolich Park (Route 20
and Souster Avenue) . $90,000
Playground rehabilitation at Douglas Avenue
Park (near Kimball Street) . $60,000
Playground rehabilitation at Wing Street Housing
Authority Playground. $60,000
Planning Department
Roger Dahlstrom, Planning Director, presented the following two
proposals :
Continued funding for the Residential Rehab Rebate Program,
which has been in existence since 1977 . The program
provides financial assistance in addressing basic health
and safety code violations as well as encouraging energy
efficiency improvements . $150,000
Planning and management function for the 1993 CDBG
program. $100,000
Elgin Fire Barn No. 5 Museum
Brigid Trimble, President of Elgin Fire Barn No. 5 Museum,
presented a proposal for funding in the amount of $33,725 for
installation of the accessibility items which are required for
opening the museum.
Community Crisis Center
Lisa Sampson, Shelter Manager, presented a proposal for the
following improvements to the Center' s building:
Soffit, fascia and gutter repair. $20,000
Window replacement. $25,000
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March 3, 1993
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Police Department
Deputy Chief Eric Isom presented a proposal to expand the
Resident Officer Program (ROPE)
to add an additional resident
officer, who would live in the Mulberry Court area. The
funding request is in the amount of $21,820 .
Center City Development Corporation
Mike Turner, Center City Director, outlined a number of proposed
projects which the corporation wanted to bring to the attention
of the Council, even though they realize that it isn't possible
to complete all of them. They are as follows :
Restoration of 31 Fountain Square Plaza ( former
Woolworth Building) . $130,800
Purchase of Crocker Theater. $150,000
Additional restoration of 32-52 Fountain Square
Plaza (Riverside Plaza) . $67,000
Center City Exterior Decorating Program. $12, 300
Riverwalk Business Development Project. $65,000
Heritaqe Commission
Barbara Evans, member of the Heritage Commission, presented a
proposal for funding in the amount of $30,000 for preparation
and printing of a manual which would include preservation,
maintenance, and design guidelines for homes located in the
historic district.
Public Works Department
Mel Dahl, City Engineer, presented a proposal for two street
reconstruction projects . The first area to be improved is
bounded by Liberty, Villa, Channing and Laurel Streets and
includes Barrett, Healy, Henry, Percy and Stella Streets, and
Stella Court. The estimate of cost for those streets is
$300,000 with Alternates A and B estimated at $80,000 and
$55,000 for a total of $435,000.
The second area to be improved is bounded b Liberty, Villa,
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George and Bent Streets and include Bent, Congress, George
Streets and Illinois and Sherman Avenues . The estimate of cost
for those streets is $358,000, with Alternates A and B estimated
at $50,000 and $45,000, for a total of $453,000 .
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March 3, 1993
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Elgin Housinq Authority
Rose Oliver, Deputy Director, presented the following proposals
for funding in the order of priority:
Sprinkler system for residents ' rooms $110,000
Computerized elevator control system upgrade $125,000
Plumbing system waste drains work items $78,919
Stairway treads installation on fire escape
stairways $33,500
Stairway landing handrail installation $3,388
Retrofit installation of emergency efficient
fluorescent screw-in light fixtures $8,000
f a Boys and Girls Club to provide a
Development o y P
structured program for youth who reside in public
housing and stairwell modification to meet handicap
accessibility requirements - 355 Dundee Avenue $37,000
Human Resources Department
Denise Bell, Fair Housing and Employment Administrator for the
City, presented a proposal in the amount of $15,000 to have the
following handbooks/brochures translated and printed in English
and Spanish: Tenant-Landlord Handbook, Elgin Human Relations
Commission brochure, and "Fair Housing, It' s Your Right. "
Centro De Informacion Y Progresso
Raul Nadal, Executive Director, submitted a proposal for funding
a youth services coordinator/counselor in the amount of $26 ,913 .
Elgin Academy
Selden Edwards, Headmaster, submitted proposals for two blight
removal projects . Option One is to purchase property at the
corner of Dundee Avenue and Kimball Street. The estimated cost
for purchase, demolition, and installing a parking lot is
$140,000 .
Option Two is to purchase the former gas station property at the
corner of Dundee Avenue and Park Street. The total cost to
purchase, demolish, and install a parking lot is estimated at
$178,000 .
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Community Development Block Grant Public Hearing
March 3, 1993
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Operation Outreach (God' s Gym)
Tom Hartwell, Chairman of the Board, submitted a request for
funding in the amount of $134, 186 for equipment and operating
expenses for Operation Outreach.
Ecker Center for Mental Health
Dan Boehmer, Executive Director, submitted a proposal for
funding in the amount of $72,000 to modify and upgrade the
Center' s computer and software system to provide for improved
coordination of services, integrating client scheduling,
treatment planning, utilization review, and helping clients
access available financial assistance.
Fox River Valley Center for Independent Livinq (FRVCIL)
Hector Palacios submitted a request on behalf of FRVCIL for
funding in the amount of $31,500 to establish a grant program to
assist income-eligible persons with disabilities to obtain
monies to be used to make modifications to their homes (rented
or owned) to make them accessible. The funds could be used for
projects such as ramps, widened doorways, grab bars, sensor
lights, etc. FRVCIL is the only agency in a three-county area
that serves disabled persons .
Elqin Day Care
Agnes Kovacs, Executive Director with Elgin Area Child Care
Initiative, presented a proposal for funding in the amount of
$32, 925 to remodel and equip a classroom at Elgin Day Care
Center. This classroom would be used to serve 19 infants and
toddlers from low income families . There currently is no infant
and toddler day care available to low income families in Elgin.
Councilman Gilliam left the meeting at 8 :45 p.m.
Catholic Charities Physician Referral Service
Nala Byana presented a request for funding in the amount of
$2,500 to purchase computer equipment for the physician referral
service for Medicaid clients in the Northern Kane and McHenry
Counties, scheduled to commence April 1. The purpose of the
service is to provide access to health care in a dignified
manner and to reduce inappropriate use bf emergency room
services by Medicaid patients .
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YWCA of Elqin
Rita Marcucci, Assistant Executive Director, presented a request
for funding in the amount of $16,417 .50 for repair of outside
signs, installation of a pool cover, removal of old pool
chemical equipment from sub-basement area, and making various
changes for handicap accessibility.
The Larkin Center
Mary Metzger, Public Relations Director, presented a funding
request in the amount of $19,500 for facia and soffit repair or
replacement and $25,600 for window repair and replacement, for a
total of $45, 100 .
Senior Services Association
Betty Schoenholtz, Executive Director, presented a funding
proposal of $17,700 for refurbishing the Senior Center. This
would involve painting, carpeting, tile, replacing basement
windows, and plastering the service entrance and hallway.
Gifford Park Association
Pat Miller, on behalf of Gifford Park Association, presented a
request for funding in the amount of $50,000 to produce a
neighborhood conservation plan targeting the Elgin Historic
District.
Mayor VanDeVoorde announced that the City Council will hold a
CDBG worksession on March 31, 1993, at 7 p.m. , and the final
public hearing will be held April 28, 1993, at 8 p.m. during the
regular Council meeting.
Adjournment
Councilman Fox made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan,
to adjourn the meeting. Yeas : Councilmembers Fox, Moylan,
Popple, Walters, Yearman, and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None.
Meeting adjourned at 9 :20 p.m.
March 31, 1993
Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk Date Approved