Community Development Advisory Committee

DRAFT Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) April 2, 2020 – 3:00 PM ZOOM Platform Teleconference – Meeting ID: 869 700 884 Password: 028676 Public URL https://zoom.us/j/869700884?pwd=b0EvZnh3aUloT2RIY0o4ZENvUWRPUT09 Members Present: Les King, Sean Barnes, Gemma Fabris, Mark Marcy Members Present: Kevin Saythany Others Present: Kathy Crees and Tianne Curtis 1. The CDAC meeting was called to order at 3:00 PM. 2. Chairman Les King stated there would be another public meeting on 4/09/20 at 3:00 PM. This meeting will also be conducted as a ZOOM teleconference. 3. The presentation schedule for the meeting was as follows: 3:00 PM Safe Futures 3:10 PM ARC of NL County 3:20 PM Rosewood Manor III Ductless Splits - NHA 3:30 PM Boswell Ave Sidewalks - DPW 3:40 PM WWI Memorial Park 540 Norwich Ave - DPW 3:50 PM Futures, Inc. 4:00 PM Taftville Basketball Courts - Norwich Recreation 4:10 PM McKeon Park Occum - Norwich Recreation 4:20 PM Property Rehabilitation - CD 4:30 PM NCDC Working Lab 4:40 PM Rapid Rehousing & Shelter Diversion - NHS 4:50 PM Norwich Works - NHS 5:00 PM OIC of NL County Safe Futures $15,000.00 Presenting were Director of Grants & Compliance Margaret Soussloff, VALE advocate Lindsey Michaels and Chelsea Randall of Court Support Services. CDBG funding is requested to continue Domestic Violence Counselor and Advocate positions. These positions provide one-on-one services to victims and also have limited hours at the NPD and their walk-in office. They anticipate assisting 50 Norwich residents at the walk-in office and 350 Norwich residents through the VALE program. ARC of Eastern Connecticut $22,331.25 Presenting was Director of Grants & Communications Penny Newbury. CDBG funding is requested to perform interior lighting upgrades at their office at 125 Sachem St, Norwich. The existing lighting is incandescent and fluorescent resulting in high electricity costs and provide a less stressful environment for guests. Indirectly, the savings on electric costs can be redirected back into the program to assist. Les King noted the applicant should have submitted the Non-Public application as this request is for construction. Housing Authority Rosewood Manor Phase IV $100,000.00 Presenting were Executive Director Jeffrey Arn and Deputy Executive Director John Mainville. This is for Phase IV of the ductless splits being installed at Rosewood Manor; a state elderly housing complex. With the assistance of CDBG funding, they have completed 62 units in the past 3 project years. The reported efficiency of the units is 3 times that of the existing electric baseboards. This savings is passed on directly to the HUD defined low-income residents. 1 Boswell Ave Sidewalks, DPW $227,183.00 Civil Engineer Jean-Paul Laguerre presented. The funding request is for the reconstruction of sidewalks and crumbling retaining walls along lower Boswell Ave. The 0.25 mile stretch between Oak and Roath Streets is heavily travelled. WWI Memorial, DPW $86,018.00 Civil Engineer Jean-Paul Laguerre presented. The ZOOM teleconference was interrupted and hijacked. Audio and video were destroyed by those responsible for hacking in. Staff attempted to regain control of the meeting. Futures, Inc. $41,786.53 Senior Vice President Tracey O’Brien and Chief Financial Officer Damion Williams presented. CDBG funding is requested for energy efficiency upgrades to their Norwich office where they serve individuals with disabilities and their families. Proposed improvements include insulation and replacement windows. Taftville Basketball Courts, Norwich Recreation $70,080.00 Presenting were Director of Human Services Lee-Ann Gomes and Recreation Director Cheryl Hancin- Preston. Funding is requested to construct a second court lower in the existing field; the area proposed for the second court in the last project year was taken for parking by Taftville Fire. Les King confirmed that construction paid for with CDBG money would not be undone in any future projects. McKeon Park Occum, Norwich Recreation $160,800.00 Presenting were Director of Human Services Lee-Ann Gomes and Recreation Director Cheryl Hancin- Preston. Cheryl Hancin-Preston stated this was a high use site with tournament sized court that hosted many events. Kathy Crees confirmed that maintenance was not a qualifying activity; Recreation would request maintenance in their annual budget. CD Property Rehabilitation $250,000.00 Community Development Director Kathy Crees presented. The CDBG funding request was to continue the Property Rehabilitation Code Compliance program in the City of Norwich. Property Rehabilitation is also able to supplement the Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Program. NCDC Working Lab $40,000.00 Vice President Jill Fritzsche presented for NCDC. CDBG funding is requested to provide Norwich residents ages 17-24 who do not have a college pathway, coaching for start-up businesses. It is estimated that the requested funding will assist 15 HUD-defined low-income Norwich residents. Rapid Rehousing & Shelter Diversion, Norwich Human Services $15,000.00 Presenting was Director of Human Services Lee-Ann Gomes. In collaboration with the Norwich Community Care Team, the program works to rapidly and actively re-house people; then reinforce stable, permanent housing through a case manager. An estimated 37 Norwich residents will be assisted by this funding request. Norwich Works, Norwich Human Services $50,000.00 Presenting were Director of Human Services Lee-Ann Gomes and Employment Specialist Hector Sanchez. The funding request is to continue the Norwich Works program; assisting low-income Norwich residents increase their employment opportunities. The program offers a qualified/eligible client enrollment into 2 training programs that can provide a greater income, employment longevity and improved of life for those who successfully complete the program. An estimated 16-20 Norwich residents will be assisted by this funding request. OIC of New London County $25,000 Presenting was President Nekeisha Grant. The Opportunities Industrialized Center (OIC) provides training for jobs in demand as well as supportive services to eliminate barriers to employment success to low- income, second language learners. OIC works in collaboration with the Norwich Regional Adult Education program. They anticipate serving 80 Norwich residents who are second language learners and HUD- defined low income. Meeting adjourned at 6:14 PM. Respectfully submitted, Tianne Curtis CD Program Assistant *Note; The ZOOM teleconference was interrupted and hijacked. Audio and video were destroyed by those responsible for hacking in. 3