Community Development Advisory Committee

Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) February 28, 2018 – 1:00 PM Basement Conference Room – 23 Union Street Members Present: Les King, Robert Moore and Sophie Noblick Members Absent: Gemma Fabris Others Present: Kathy Crees and Tianne Curtis The CDAC meeting was called to order at 1:00 PM. The presentation schedule was as follows: 1:30 PM Safe Futures 1:40 PM ARC of New London County 1:50 PM Norwich Fire Dept. 2:00 PM DPW - ADA Recreation Building 2:10 PM DPW - Norwich Ave Sidewalks 2:20 PM NHA-Rosewood Manor Ductless Splits 2:30 PM NCDC-Signs and Awnings 2:40 PM Norwich Human Services-Norwich Works 2:50 PM Norwich Humans Services - Rapid Rehousing 3:00 PM CD Office - Property Rehab 3:10 PM CD Office - Admin Presentations commenced. 1. Safe Futures Presenting on behalf of Safe Futures were Director Margaret Soussloff, VALE Advocate Lindsey Michaels, Court Advocate Chelsea Randall & Norwich Police Officer Belisle. In addition to the Victim Advocate, they provide free & confidential counseling that increases the success rate of a victim leaving their abusive partner & achieving independence & employment. 2. NHS Norwich Works Director Lee-Ann Gomes presented on behalf of Norwich Human Services (NHS.) The program continues to serve only residents of Norwich & are helping these residents to increase their income. Due to a loss in Staff at the end of last program year, the total anticipated couldn’t be achieved; however, with the requested funding in the coming program year, the part-time caseworker position could be reinstated. The Committee noted the application referenced a full-time salary & requested a revision be made and corrected amount be submitted to Community Development. In the future, the Committee would like the CDBG applications for funding to be revised to include the financial composition of programs receiving multiple funding for all applicants. 3. NHS Rapid Rehousing / Shelter Diversion Director Lee-Ann Gomes presented on behalf of NHS. She explained the goals and achievements and noted the cost to rapidly rehouse someone was much less than a temporary shelter. She confirmed that the assistance is only provided to residents of Norwich & that there is a verification system in place.  4. ARC of New London County Development Director Penny Newbury presented on behalf of ARC & explained they were requesting grant funding for safety & ADA repairs to the entrance door of their office at 125 Sachem St. ARC provides community integration & training for life & advocacy skills that contribute to the high foot traffic at the office. 5. Norwich Fire Dept. Chief Ken Scandariato presented on behalf of the NFD. The application for the replacement of protective equipment was requested as part of the recaptured funds and therefore can be expended by June 2018. The grant funding amount requested is determined by the Shipman’s Fire Equipment quote submitted as part of the application. Shipman’s is currently the only permitted vendor. 6. DPW Recreation Building ADA Improvements Engineer John Paul Laguerre presented on behalf of DPW. He explained the inadequacies of the existing route through the offices. The Committee confirmed the cost will need to include Davis-Bacon wages. 7. DPW Norwich Ave Sidewalk Improvements Engineer Teresa Hanlon presented on behalf of DPW. She gave examples of alternative sites & explained what had been considered when determining which site was in most need. 8. NHA Rosewood Manor Executive Director Charles Whitty and Coordinator John Mainville were present. Mr. Whitty explained that the Housing Authority was applying for $75,000 of the recaptured funding that would allow them to complete Phase I of the Rosewood Manor ductless heating conversion. He reported that the handicap-designated units had been completed first. The application for PY 44 Grant funding was an additional $75,000.00 that would allow Phase II. Mr. Mainville explained in more detail the specifications of the proposed ductless heating systems. 9. NCDC Signage & Awnings NCDC President Bob Mills & Community Manager Jill Fritzsche were present. They stated the proposed program would address the elimination of slum & blight objective and submitted pictures of example signage and awnings in the downtown. The Committee asked how local ordinances would be enforced – Mr. Mills stated the business would be required to present NCDC with a development plan. 10. CD Office Property Rehabilitation Program Manager Wayne Sharkey presented to the Committee. CD Director Kathy Crees noted that we would like to have a representative from the CDAC on the Rehab Review Committee (RRC.) The Committee was in agreement. As there were no further applications, the Committee moved to decisions. After careful consideration, the Committee agreed to recommend 100% funding to the following applications for PY 44: CD Administration $150,798.60 NHS Norwich Works $50,000.00 NHS Rapid Rehousing $15,000.00 Safe Futures $15,000.00 NHA Rosewood Manor $75,000.00 ARC of NL County $8,722.35 Recreation Building Ramp $60,000.00 There was discussion on the remaining applications. The application for Community Development Property Rehabilitation was funded at $200,000.00. NCDC’s application for awnings & signage was funded at $30,000.00. The Committee agreed to fund the DPW application for Norwich Ave Sidewalks with the unallocated balance of the anticipated funding in the amount of $149,472.05. Of the recaptured funds in the amount of $432,607.00, the Committee voted to award $427,134.00 to the NFD. The remaining balance of the recaptured funding in the amount of $5,473.00 was awarded to DPW for the Norwich Ave Sidewalks. The combination of the recaptured funding and PY 44 funding resulted in DPW receiving a total recommendation of $155,045.05 for Norwich Ave Sidewalks. Respectfully submitted, Tianne Curtis