Community Development Advisory Committee

Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) March 29, 2017 – 6:30 PM Basement Conference Room – 23 Union Street Members Present: Les King, Brian Eckenrode, Robert Moore and Sophie Noblick Members Absent: Edward Derr Others Present: Gary Evans and Tianne Curtis The CDAC meeting was called to order at 6:37 PM. The following materials were provided to the Committee Members for their consideration: 1. Corrected non-public service application from the East Great Plains Fire Dept.; 2. ARC itemized cost estimate; 3. DPW ADA ramp priority list; 4. NHS data Gary Evans stated that there was still no confirmation on the exact amount of funding the City would be receiving. He noted there were $85,000.00 in 2016 awarded funds that he had been told would not be used as the recipient had been awarded money from the State. Upon motion by Sophie Noblick, second by Brian Eckenrode, the Committee voted unanimously to recapture $85,000.00 awarded last program year to the Norwich Fire Headquarters and to apply this amount to the upcoming year. The Committee deliberated over several hours regarding requests for funding. Each request was taken on its own merit to determine if it met the National Objectives of CDBG and to verify the application met the program guidelines by helping to: • Provide decent affordable housing; • Create a suitable living environment or; • Expand economic opportunities to low-to-moderate income residents. 1. Community Development Administration: Requesting $137,000.00 Recommendation $137,000.00 The Committee recommended funding CD Admin at 20% of the 2017 CDBG Program Year grant as allowable by HUD. 2. TVCCA Home Again: Requesting $20,000.00 Recommendation $10,000.00 The Committee recommended funding 50% of the request. It was noted the homelessness prevention program serves families that could normally not be assisted by the Norwich Community Care Shelter Diversion & Rapid Rehousing program. 3. Norwich Human Services (NHS) Norwich Works: Requesting $48,884.49 Recommendation $38,000.00 The Committee was happy it is still meeting its job training & placement goals. 4. Community Care Team/NHS Shelter Diversion & Rapid Rehousing: Requesting $15,000.00 Recommendation $10,000.00 The Committee supported the efforts to keep people in their homes. 5. Safe Futures Domestic Violence Response Team: Requesting $15,000.00 Recommendation $15,000.00 The Committee agreed having the VALE advocate available was a benefit to residents and law enforcement. 6. United Congregational Church: Requesting $8,000.00 Recommendation $0.00 The Committee felt there was insufficient evidence the project would meet the CDBG program guidelines. 7. Norwich Public Works Playground Phase III: Requesting $95,000.00 Recommendation $55,000.00 Concerns about cost estimates deterred the Committee from funding it in its entirety. 8. Norwich Public Works Taftville Sidewalks Phase II: Requesting $86,000.0 Recommendation $86,000.00 This phase will allow the current project to extend to the intersection of Providence St (St Rte.169) and Norwich Ave (St Rte.97) allowing pedestrians a safer transition. 9. Norwich Public Works ADA Sidewalk Ramps: Requesting $66,600.00 Recommendation $66,000.00 The Committee agreed that the installation of the ADA ramps would create much needed access for the severely disabled. 10. ARC of New London County: Requesting $30,424.00 Recommendation $0.00 The Committee felt the improvements were a valuable project but difficult to categorize for CDBG purposes. 11. East Great Plains Fire Dept.: Requesting $74,000.00 Recommendation $0.00 The Committee did not feel the project met the criteria set forth in CDBG program guidelines and therefore did not feel comfortable funding it. 12. Norwich Police Taftville Public Safety Camera System: Requesting $99,930.00 Recommendation $99,000.00 The Committee recommended funding noting the cameras’ positive impact in the Greenville section Chief Daley had reported, as well as serving an LMI area.  13. Norwich Housing Authority Rosewood Manor: Requesting $75,000.00 Recommendation $0.00 The Committee was of the opinion that, given the limited amount of allocations available, the Housing Authority had alternate funding options better suited for this project. 14. CD Office Neighborhood Preservation & Property Rehab Program: Requesting $350,000.00 Recommendation $254,000.00 The meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM Respectfully submitted, Tianne Curtis