Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Advisory Board

City of Petersburg Community Development Block Grant Advisory Board July 2024 Meeting Minutes ● Meeting called to order at 6:21pm by Chair Kofi Adih. ● Advisory Board Members (AB) in attendance: Sonja Holt-Cartwright, Shabaka Moore, Leonard Curry and Ethan Calvert. CDBG Admin Jennifer Murphy-James ● A quorum was determined and a moment of silence observed. ● The June 12, 2024 meeting minutes were accepted and seconded, with no amendments or corrections. Report from CDBG Administrator: ● Admin Jennifer is waiting to receive final transcription from the City Clerk from the June 18th Council meeting. City council reallocated funds and there is a discrepancy with the understanding of the allocation. ● Review CDBG 24-25 Annual Action Plan draft: Motion proposed by Leonard Curry to accept the Executive Summary and revisit the Plan for approval by August 1. AB members will review and make amendments. Motion passed and accepted. ● Go Forward Give Back contacted Admin Jennifer Murphy-James, requesting an extension to complete project activity by August end. The activity will be a collaboration with the Petersburg Oasis Youth Farm; the request was approved by Jennifer. Levin Smith is working with Tyrone Cherry to complete the project to take children to DC who are facing recidivism. ● Rebuilding Richmond was granted a final extension to complete critical home repairs in the City of Petersburg. Unfinished Business ● On June 20th, AB members met with Brandy Cramer & Jill Coleman of the Cameron Foundation. Because many of the same organization seek Cameron and CDBG funding, Cameron wishes to avoid crossover/or duplication of efforts by staying up to date with the CDBG application process and recommendations for funding. Cameron will share their annual plan with the CDBG AB members. The AB will ensure that Cameron receives our calendar for the 2025 cycle year. ● Bylaws: The final edits to the bylaws will be submitted by the end of the first week of August 2024. The final version will be posted to the City website. Sonja Holt-Cartwright made a recommendation that a separate SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) be created, to include information/recommendation of the utilization of local/minority contractors in project applications. New Business ● This is the 50 Year anniversary of the CDBG. There is a four-part national webinar series entitled Powering What's Possible, held in July -August. Chair Kofi Adih suggested the AB attend the Economic Development & Removing Barriers webinars. ● The Board desires to find additional funding options for critical home repair in the City. After a review of DHCD and similar resources, it was determined that CDBG funding is the best way to create and maintain a critical home repair program in the City. Chair Kofi Adih suggested getting on the agenda for the September City Council meeting to discuss the City assisting with critical  home repair, due to them reallocating funds to only Parks & Recreation. Motion made and passed for AB to attend the Sept 3rd City Council meeting. Meeting Adjourned 7:18pm