Community Development Advisory Committee

CDAC MINUTES DRAFT April 23, 2012 – 3:00 P.M. 23 Union St. – Basement Conference Room Members Present: Les King, Robert McKeon, John Mathieu, Edward Derr, Lynn Norris, Brian Eckenrode Members Absent: Democles Angelopoulos Others Present: Gary Evans and Susan Goldman Chairman Les King called the CDAC meeting to order at 3:10 p.m. Community Development: Administration – Recommendation $147,166 The Committee recommended funding CD Administration at 20% of the CDBG Program Year 2012 grant as allowed by HUD. Norwich Human Services: Hospitality Center – Recommendation $23,000 The Committee recommended funding the Hospitality Center at the same amount as Program Year 2011, the current grant year. The current year program was successful and it is assumed that the program will do just as well next year at this level of allocation. Norwich Youth & Family Services: Norwich Juvenile Justice Alliance Case Manager – Recommendation $21,500 The Committee recommended funding this program at the requested amount. This is an expansion of an existing program and has not previously received CDBG funding. The data presented evidences the need and positive outcomes that will result from this increase in service. Big Brothers Big Sisters of SE Ct: One-To-One Norwich Mentors – Recommendation $4,000 The Committee recommended funding this program at the requested amount. This relatively small allocation leverages many volunteer hours. Overall, it is an excellent value. Norwich Human Services: Norwich Works - Recommendation $27,000 The Committee recommended funding the direct training costs ($20,000) and partial cost of the Case Manager ($7,000). It was their wish to focus on the “training” aspect of this program and not the ancillary services such as childcare and transportation. Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) of New London County: Project Employment – Recommendation $0 The Committee chose not to fund this program. The services provided are focused on a narrow group of clientele. It is more New London based and a duplication of some of the services already being provided by Norwich Human Services. Literacy Volunteers of Eastern CT: Norwich English Help – Recommendation $2,400 The Committee recommended funding the purchase of two Rosetta Stone licenses. The overall financial viability of the organization was a concern. Norwich Adult Education: Community Development through ESOL Instruction – Recommendation $6,000 The Committee recommended reduced funding and suggested that the frequency of the classes per week or the number of hours per class be reduced. Women’s Center of SE CT: Norwich Domestic Violence Response Team – Recommendation $5,000 The Committee recommended to fully funding this application. This funding will help support the much needed Crisis Counselor position and help re-establish a full-time Norwich Counseling office. Norwich Housing Authority: JFK Heights I Roof Replacement – Recommendation $70,000 The Committee recommended partially funding of this project due to the overall reduction in the City of Norwich Program Year 2012 CDBG allocation. Norwich Police Department: Downtown Security Camera System – Recommendation $150,000 The Committee recommended fully funding this project. The benefits being an increased perception of safety and therefore a catalyst for downtown economic development. Community Development Office: Economic Development Job Creation/Retention – Recommendation $50,000 The Committee recommended partially funding this new project due to the overall reduction in the City of Norwich Program Year 2012 CDBG Allocation. Community Development Office: Home Ownership Assistance Program – Recommendation $0 The Committee recommended not funding this project due to the overall reduction in the City of Norwich Program Year 2012 CDBG Allocation. Community Development Office: Property Rehabilitation Program – Recommendation $229,765 The Committee recommended partially funding this project due to the overall reduction in the City of Norwich Program Year 2012 CDBG Allocation. This program has been in existence for many years and has been very successful. The Property Rehab Program funding is also being used as leverage for the recently awarded $2.1 million dollar L ead Based Paint Hazard Control Grant. United Congregational Church of Norwich: Community Center Renovation – Recommendation $0 The Committee recommended not funding this project due to the lack of a current audited financial statement and lack of information regarding the use of the area being renovated. There were some issued raised in the last audit (2009) that were of concern to the Committee. A motion was made by John Mathieu and seconded by Robert McKeon to fund the following projects as listed. Motion carried unanimously. CDAC Recommendations CD Office - Administration $147,166.00 NHS - Hospitality Center $23,000.0 0 NHS - Y&FS - Norwich Juvenile Justice Alliance Case Manager $21,500.00 Big Brothers Big Sisters of SE CT - One-to-One Norwich $4,000.0 Mentors 0 NHS - Norwich Works $27,000.0 0 Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) of NL County - Project Employment $0 Literacy Volunteers of Eastern CT - Norwich English $2,400.0 Help 0 Norwich Adult Education - Community Development $6,000.0 through ESOL Instruction 0 Women's Center of S.E. CT - Norwich Domestic Violence $5,000.0 Response Team 0 Norwich Housing Authority - JFK Heights I roof $70,000.0 replacement 0 Norwich Police Dept - Downtown Security Camera $150,000.0 System 0 CD Office - Economic Development Job $50,000.0 Creation/Retention 0 CD Office - Home Ownership Assistance Program $0 CD Office - Property Rehabilitation Program $229,765.0 0 United Congregational Church of Norwich - Community Center Renovation $0 Adjournment Motion was made by Lynn Norris, seconded by John Mathieu to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The CDAC meeting ended at 5:10 p.m.