October 17, 2007, 2:30 p.m.
Community Development Committee
City Commission Chambers, City Hall
Agenda
1. Approval of minutes
2. 2008 computer equipment donations
3. Policy review – Special Assessment Assistance program
4. 2008 Community Development grant update (applications due Oct 26)
5. Other business
6. Next meeting: November 15, 2007
Minutes
Present: Linda Coates, Dan Fremling, John Paulsen, Linda Klebe, Lynn Fundingsland, Pat Zavoral, Steve Stoner, Tim Mahoney
Others Present: Rocky Schneider, Dan Mahli, Monica Graber, Nate Bailly, Dawn Mayo, Hali Durand
Chair Coates called the meeting to order.
Item 1. Approval of Minutes
(2:30 p.m.) John Paulsen moved to approve the minutes of the July 19, 2007 Community Development Committee meeting. Second by Lynn Fundingsland. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2. 2008 Computer Equipment Donations
(2:31 p.m.) Dan Mahli spoke about the City’s computer donation program. He stated the program started in 2002 and donates recycled City computer equipment to area nonprofit organizations. He said the computers are wiped clean and installed with Windows operating systems. The City does not service the computers after they are picked up. This year, there are over 100 pieces of equipment that will be donated.
Mr. Mahli asked the CD Committee if it would like to accept applications from individuals. After discussion, it was decided to continue donating the equipment to non-profit organizations. If an individual would like to apply for a piece of equipment, they should apply through a nonprofit organization. Mr. Mahli stated that a news release is ready to go and applications will be mailed to the CD mailing list once the Community Development Committee gives the go ahead. All members agreed to proceed with the computer donation.
Item 3. Policy Review – Special Assessment Assistance Program
(2:36 p.m.) Mr. Mahli reviewed the status of the Special Assessment Assistance Program. He explained the program was created to help assist low income individuals with special assessments. He stated everyone that receives a new assessment is sent a letter about the assistance. The program requires that homeowners have income below 50% the average median (AMI) and since the program uses federal funding, interest cannot be paid. The City funds that are in the account cover the interest expenses. Mr. Mahli mentioned that to date, $1,300 has been paid, $150,000 is budgeted in 2005 and 2006 CDBG funds. Since the City is not spending the budgeted funds, Mr. Mahli proposed increasing the income limit to 60% of the average median income for the 2008 Special Assessment Assistance Program. Mr. Zavoral moved to recommend increasing the average median income threshold for the special assistance program to 60% AMI. Second by Mr. Fundingsland. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 4. 2008 Community Development Grant Update
(2:40) Mr. Mahli gave an update on the 2008 Community Development Grant application process. From what he is seeing, the committee can expect a large number of requests for the public and social service funds. The applications are due October 26.
Mr. Zavoral asked why the CD Committee is getting into operations costs. Jim Gilmour stated the social service funds have been paying for operations, along with the CDBG public sevice dollars. He added that CDBG public service grants are linked to activities that support City programs. Chair Coates suggested funding a percentage of an organizations total operating budget. Dan Fremling stated it might be helpful for organizations to provide a presentation to help the CD Committee in its decision. Mr. Mahli answered the current process is in place because of the amount of time it would take to hear presentations from 50 applicants.
(2:52 p.m.) Mr. Fremling moved to approve the formation of a sub-committee to review applications for the public and social service applications. There was discussion on the motion. In the past, there were applications for housing rehab, neighborhoods, and downtown projects and the committee set broad parameters for applications. The Committee discussed sorting the applications into categories and determining how much funding should be available in each focus area. Mr. Mahli mentioned that he will put the applications into funding categories, meet with Commissioner Coates, Pat Zavoral, Jim Gilmour and Nate Bailly and provide the information at the next meeting. Mr. Fremling withdrew the motion.
Item 5. Other Business
(2:58 p.m.) Mr. Mahli reported that the bids for the shelter and detox center came in under the architects estimate. Phase one (the emergency shelter) is estimated to be completed in January and phase two (the detox center) would be completed in the spring. The bids will go to the City Commission October 22.
Item 6. Next meeting
The next Community Development Committee meeting is scheduled on November 15.
The meeting adjourned at 3:09 p.m.
