07/18/05 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regular meeting July 18, 2005 The motion carried unanimously. AGENDA #2 – Proposed Allocation Cost for the Community Development Block Grant Mr. Ollendorff explained that each year University City applied for a Block Grant Fund which amounted to slightly over $100,000, with the Council’s approved proposal to be allocated in the same manor as was done in the past couple of years: extra policing, forestry programs, and a few thousand dollars for the Homeless & Homeless Shelter. Mr. Wagner made a motion to approve the block grant application. Mr. Sharpe seconded the motion. Shirley Richman, 840 Oakbrook Lane, wanted to thank the Council for consideration of request for funding for her organization. She would also like to suggest that if any other communities receive the development fund, to offer their fair share too. Ms Richman would like anyone with new ideas to contact her. Mayor Adams thanked her and said that it was a tough fight to get the Federal Government to restore the Community Development Block Fund Grant. The current administration has suggested to permanently eliminate this grant. Mayor Adams said he would suspect that next year it will be on the endangered list. Ms. Colquitt requested explanation from City Manager how individuals in the audience could apply for funds and how it will be split up among the organizations that are helping our community, as the Food for the Homeless. Mr. Ollendorff explained that for approximately the past ten years support has been given to the County’s Community in Partnership, Homeless Center. It has the funding from a number of Agencies as the Salvation Army. About a decade ago, we agreed to allocate some of the Community Development funding to specifically go for food at this homeless shelter. Last year the shelter temporarily closed, so we took applications from other community organizations who proposed to provide food for the homeless. All of the applications had a religious connection and could not be funded according to Federal guidelines. Then we heard from Community in Partnership that the shelter was reopening, so last year’s money went back to the County’s homeless shelter for food. Mr. Ollendorff suggested that next year’s money go back to this same place. Ms. Brot asked Mayor Adams to verify that $103,399 has been voted on and accepted for the 2006 fiscal year, as she is aware of the possibility that Congress is many times behind in their budget approval? Mr. Ollendorff said that it would not be available until January 2006. This application, if approved tonight goes to the County. The County then combines all applications and puts together a Master Application List requesting approximately a couple million dollars and submits it to Washington. The Department of Housing & Development reviews it and around December the Federal Government gives notice to the County that everything is in order and money will be available in Page 3