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MINUTES/URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Wednesday, October 2, 1996 - 3:45 p.m.

Members present: Beach, Hanson.

1. Matter of review/prioritization of applications for CDBG and Human Needs funds for 1997 and allocation of funds.
Chairman Beach reported that committee had heard applicants for CDBG funds at the last committee meeting; and asked if there were any applicants here today who did not speak at last week's meeting. There were none.

Copies of staff recommendations had been submitted to the committee members for review.

Member Hanson questioned whether funds doing what intent was when funding under Human Needs was established (funding for organiza- tions helping people who did not receive help from other sources) and commented on duplication of services by organizations; that he has problem with organizations receiving operating funds, that originally when program put together, operational dollars were not to be part of this, but many of the applications are for funding for staff; but are Human Needs funds doing what supposed to be doing, allocating operational dollars in situation that not sure were authorized to do.

John O'Leary, exec. director of Urban Development, stated that they have $190,000 to distribute and about $90,000 of that is CDBG money, and asked if the other $100,000 be funded through other resources if the Human Needs budget not there, probably not; and that if they look at things they get involved with because of the availability of those funds, thinks the answer to his question is yes, doing what intent was and doing good work.
He stated they have ended up funding projects that would not be very eligible under the CDBG project even if they had the money. He stated they try to monitor at least once during the course of a year, depending upon staff availability, to see if doing what they said they were going to do in the course of their application. The program has been very responsive to the needs of those organizations that have been serviced through these funds. He stated it's philosophical question whether should be putting monies into operations or not, gets to be fine line if only did capital improvements, would probably see organizations juggling funds and end up doing same thing they are doing; provides organizations more flexibility because funds not encumbered, and many organizations use funds to match other grant funds. He stated they have done analysis of how many people served by these funds, can try to do better in coming year. He stated they are doing what few cities in the state are doing, try to assist organizations that need outside assistance in providing low and moderate income people and doing in the most cost effective paperless way as possible. Organizations submit formal report at the end of the year.

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October 2, 1996 - Page 2

Member Hanson stated that the reason he asked is that when they do budgeting for the City and find out that there's not enough money in the bus fund, they cut services and residents suffer because of this; and concerned that it's same people every year and starting to wonder if general public looking at this when cut services for city bus and yet have enough money to fund organizations that they derive no benefit from.

Mr. O'Leary stated that one of the things wrong about CDBG program is the inability to support programs that are initiated through CDBG (can clean up riverbank, but operation and maintenance of those efforts are left to local units of government), and that makes it difficult for many of these organizations if put cap on non-profits assisted through this program, should be responsive to their needs.

Chairman Beach stated he concurs with Mr. Hanson where there's concern about duplication. He stated that there was a time when the Human Needs budget was not segregated to itself, and aps. would go into competition with certain community promotional programs within the city. Mayor Polovitz set up segregated budget.

Mr. O'Leary stated that the Citizens Advisory Committee does great job in this process.

The committee reviewed staff recommendations for funding of Bricks & Mortar Projects. Mr. O'Leary reported they will not be funding anything for Contingencies because of carryover funds.

Hanson and Beach moved adoption of the following funding recommendations:

CDBG Bricks & Mortar Projects:
Shelter for the Homeless $ 65,000
Office of Urban Development (Affordable Housing) 100,000
Community Violence Intervention Center, Inc. 40,000
Office of Urban Development (Nodak bldg. access.) 15,500
Office of Urban Development (Royce LaGrave Park) 8,000
Office of Urban Development (Riverbank Park) 18,000
Office of Urban Development (Storefront Rehab.) 45,000
Office of Urban Development (Acq. and Demolition) 50,000
Prairie Harvest Human Service 20,000
D & J Enterprises 23,500
River Forks Commission 5,000 $ 390,000
Administration 120,000
$ 510,000
Motion carried.

Mr. O'Leary reported that the public hearing is scheduled before
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October 2, 1996 - Page 3

council on Monday, October 7, 1996, with opening of a 30-day comment period, and final action on November 18.

Moved by Hanson and Beach to refer the matter of the request from Community Violence Intervention Center, Inc. for waiver of rental for location in City Center Mall to the finance committee. Motion carried.

The committee reviewed staff recommendations for public service projects and changes recommended by committee.

It was moved by Hanson and Beach to adopt the following funding recommendations:

CDBG and Human Needs Public Service Projects:
Third Street Clinic $ 18,000 Community Violence Intervention Center, Inc. 60,000
GF Housing Auth. Family Self-Sufficiency 10,000
GF Food Cupboard 13,000
Office of Urban Development (Affordable Housing) 10,000
Office of Urban Development (Youth Employment Program) 18,000
YMCA Family Center (Little Brother/Little Sister
Program) 2,000
Children's Science & Tech. Education Foundation 8,000
Mayor's Comm. on Employment of People w/Dis. 2,000
Red River Valley Community Action (Eviction Preven-
tion) 6,500
Just Say No - Dakota (Youth Power) 2,500
Listen, Inc. 28,000
Mountainbrooke (Transitional Employment Program) 5,000
Eagle Project & UND Foundation (Indian Youth Ed.
Success and Community Service Program) 7,000
$ 190,000


Chairman Beach stated they have closely followed the recommenda- tions of the Advisory Committee.

Kristi Hall-Jiran, Community Violence Intervention Center, questioned what it means to be ranked as No. 2 applicant/project by Citizens Advisory Committee and staff reduced funding to give to lower ranked applicant; that difference in money makes big difference in their day to day operations ($2,000 reduction in their funding and $2,000 increase for Eagle Project). Committee and staff stated that allocations can be changed by council, this is only recommendation, and that percentage-wise reduction very small.

Upon call for the question, the motion carried.


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2. Matter of closing comment period on Grantee Performance
Report for 1994 Richard's West Flood Mitigation Program.
Terry Hansen reported that month and half ago they brought in Grantee Performance Report for 1994 Flood Grant, additional CDBG funds they received, that they finished project this spring, and grant closed out July 26; regulations say they have to have 30-day comment period, they have had no comments, and are requesting they close the comment period. He stated they will then forward the GPR on to HUD. He noted that the public hearing was advertised, as was the availability of the GPR.

Moved by Hanson and Beach to close the comment period. Motion
carried.

3. Matter of request by Mission to do exterior and interior
lighting with remainder of Human Needs funds.
Nelson Rumore, Grand Forks City Mission, presented proposal for use of the balance of the 1993 funds of about $1700. He stated they came before committee several weeks ago with proposed awning project for the exterior of the shelter, and committee had asked that the Board review use of funds for this type of project. He stated that they are going to proceed with the awning project, with funding from a fraternity. He stated that they feel that the awning project has functional as well as aesthetic value (awning keep ice and snow off steps). He presented proposal for lighting project for 9 lights to get sufficient lighting in the ADA ramp area, front step area, etc. and take care of some safety and security issues. Comm. questioned cost of monthly maintenance, but Mr. Rumore did not know.

Moved by Hanson and Beach to authorize using the balance of Human Needs funds allocated to the Grand Forks Mission, $1792.44, for this project. Motion carried. (Committee action only)

4. Matter of Rental Rehab applications.
Terry Hansen presented committee with listing of rental rehab applications received as result of publication of availability of funds for this program for the committee to review. He reported that they will have to consider the low and mod. benefits being obtained with the funds (at least 70% of units rented by low and mod. income people); he will notify applicants and bring before committee in 2 weeks.

5. Matter of change order for EDA Industrial Park expansion
project.
Mr. O'Leary presented request for change order in the amount of $42,323.25 to upgrade water line on this project from 8" to 12" line. He reported that engineering, upon review of original
plans, recommended that lines on 15th Ave.S. and 52nd Street should be 12" lines. Al Petrick, CPS, reported lines will

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October 2, 1996 - Page 5

connect all the way through 32nd up to the Industrial Park with total connection circuit; he stated that pressure will equalize itself throughout the entire connection.

Moved by Hanson and Beach for approval of change order in the amount of $42,323.25 for Molstad Excavating for increase in watermain from 8" to 12" contingent upon EDA approval. Motion carried.

6. Matter of request from NVAC to store seats from Empire Theatre in Bill Larson building.
Mr. O'Leary reported he had received phone call from Kay Kjelland, North Valley Arts Council, stating that they are removing seats in the theatre during the renovation and looking for place to store them after November 1, and asked if they could store them in the Bill Larson building. He stated there is room, but only issue is that we should ask them to sign a hold harmless and lease for the use of the building, on a 30-day notice. He noted that the seats will be recovered, repainted, and put back in the theatre.

Moved by Hanson and Beach to approve the request subject to signing of hold harmless agreement and lease for the use of the building on a 30-day notice. Motion carried. (committee only)

7. Budget amendments.
a) Urban Development - $3,775,000
Terry Hanson reported they are setting up the fund and project for the construction of the Cirrus Design building as well as for sale of the bonds. Moved by Hanson and Beach to approve the budget amendment. Motion carried.

b) Urban Development - $15,664
Mr. Hansen reported that this budget amendment will increase the funds for the 1993 and 1994 CDBG flood grant carryover; those funds were not totally expended until 1996 and this amendment takes care of the remainder of those funds (Richard's West flood mitigation). It was noted that these are same grants as just closed hearing on, and everyone who was eligible received funding. Moved by Hanson and Beach to approve the amendment. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 10/03/96.