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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Block Grant Commission - Minutes - 03/14/1996f! A Council Liaison: Bob McCluskey Staff Liaison: Ken Waido Chairperson: Co -Chairperson: Dan MacArthur William Steffes Phone: 667-2437(w) Phone: 484-2662 (w) 490-1574 (h) 493-1674 (h) The meeting of the CDBG Commission began at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Planning Conference Room, 281 North College Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. Commission members present at the meeting included Chairman Dan MacArthur, Bill Bertschy, David Gordon, Violet Guthrie, Tom Hartmann, Tim Ostic, and William Steffes. Members absent: Linda Coxen, Bobbie Guye, Holly Sample, and Joseph Zimlich. Staff members present included Ken Waido, Jackie Davis, Julie Smith, and Mary Hile. Greg Byrne was also present. Moved by Mr. Steffes, seconded by Mr. Bertschy: To approve the minutes of February 8, 1996. Motion approved unanimously. Mr. Byrne updated Commission members on the Capital Improvement Program. Many boards and commissions are being briefed on this program. The CDBG Commission will most likely not be involved in the program, although there are eligible activities under the regulations. Larimer County Commissioners wish to place a new tax on the November ballot to fund a new justice center. Three quarter -cent City taxes are evaporating in November, and the City will ask the public to extend or replace those taxes. The City and County will coordinate their ballot issues so that they will not be presented to the public in a haphazard way. Mr. Byrne displayed a comprehensive, detailed graphic that encompassed the areas of ongoing capital improvement elements, utilities, long-range financial planning, library, city offices, parks, transportation, natural areas, Choices 95 projects, and Timberline Road. He explained the outreach and discussion programs that have taken place. The City is now processing the information they have gathered through boards and commissions. City Council will act as an executive committee in making the final CDBG Commission Meeting Minutes March 14, 1995 Page 2 decisions. Through phasing policies, private developers will pay for many of the community's capital improvements, such as streets, sewer lines, and water lines. The City then accepts ownership and maintenance responsibility of those items. The City will evaluate their targets for the next 20 years for budgeting purposes for these programs. The voters may authorize a tax; Council may authorize a fee. Mr. Byrne reviewed the citizen participation process that will culminate in the Council's ultimate decision on how to proceed with funding. He contrasted this process of going through boards and commissions with the Choices 95 process of recommendations generated by a blue-ribbon panel. He reviewed the general schedule of input, compilation, assessment, prioritizing, decisions, and presentation of ballot issues. Mr. Byrne stated that the Commission could certainly become more involved in the Capital Improvements Program if it wished to. Ms. Davis reviewed the packets containing updates on the 1994 and 1995 projects. She noted the following additions on the 1994-1995 chart: Education and Life Training Center may request CDBG funds to help with the remaining balance. An archeological dig needs to be done on that project. The status of 1995-1996 projects are as reflected on the chart. Ms. Smith updated the Commission on the HOME program. She asked the Commission for a budget decision on the amount of allocations for new construction and/or home buyer assistance. The following elements were discussed: The assumption is that the allocation will be the same as for 1995; no new projects have been presented; the budget funds can be reapportioned in midyear; the home buyer program, which has been highly successful, has 80 qualified people on the waiting list, with more anticipated by fall. Ms. Smith notes the thank -you notes from participants in the home buyer program. Moved by Mr. Steffes, seconded by Mr. Hartmann: Of allocated 1996 HOME funds, to apportion 15 percent for CHDO; 10 percent for administration; 25 percent for new construction; and 50 percent for home buyer assistance. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. MacArthur advised the Commission on the Council proceeding regarding the CDBG Pioneer allocation. Council employed essentially the same process as the Commission. Mr. MacArthur opined that although Council reached a different conclusion, it was appreciative to the Commission for the Commission's diligence and principles. Mr. MacArthur noted that he had presented Council with a letter outlining the Commission's consensus. CDBG Commission Meeting Minutes March 14, 1995 Page 3 Mr. MacArthur noted that April 1 through 7 was National Community Development Week and asked Commission members to note the event on their calendars. Ms. Smith noted that Kaufman & Broad are scheduled to close on their property at the end of March. Ground work should take place in the summer; framing by October; and residents moving in by April 1997. The City's rental market may be softening. An affordable housing information report will be placed on the April agenda. The Commission discussed the ranking methods and discussion procedures used in the prior year's projects evaluation. It was generally agreed to employ the same system in 1996. For the May hearings, dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m., and the proceedings will begin at 6:00 p.m. A long head table will be used similar to the layout used in 1995. Five minutes will be allotted for presentations, and ten minutes for the question -and -answer session. The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.