Citizen Advisory Committee

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING MARCH 18, 2013 – 6:00 P.M. CITY CENTER – CONFERENCE ROOM #201 Chairman Jeffery Norgrove called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Members present at roll call: Judith Foley, Jeffrey Norgrove, Paul Palmeri, Joanne Paraventi, and Janet Widrig. Charles Jefferson arrived at 6:22 pm. Members absent: none Also in attendance: Stephanie Burgess, HUD Program Coordinator Approval of Agenda Moved by Foley, supported by Palmeri, to approve the agenda as presented. Ayes: All Nays: None Motion Carried Approval of Minutes Moved by Widrig, supported by Palemri, to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 3, 2012 as submitted. Ayes: All Nays: None Motion Carried A discussion was held regarding the status of the 2013/14 Community Development Block Grant. Ms. Burgess advised the committee that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had not yet released the numbers for the 2013/14-program year but the City was notified by HUD to expect a 5% reduction resulting from the Federal sequestration order, which was issued on March 1, 2013. Ms. Burgess further advised that the city would still be required to submit an Annual Action Plan by May 15, 2013 regardless of when the final grant numbers are released. In the interim the City was directed by HUD to begin the project selection process by using an estimated budget based on the city’s 2012/13 Community Development Block Grant, which was $624,269 less 5% as a result of the Federal sequestration order required by law. Ms. Burgess then explained that the City amended the funding requests for the following projects: Preparation of Application – reduced from $92,500 to $57,500. Reduction was made to reflect carry over funds from the prior year. In addition, part of staff wages may be offset from other sources as a result of personnel changes. Minor Home Repair – reduced from $45,000 to $15,000. Reduction was made to reflect the availability of carry over funds from the prior year. The reduction will not have an impact on program delivery. Housing Rehabilitation – reduced from $80,000 to $20,000. Reduction was made to reflect the availability of carry over funds from the prior year. The reduction will not have an impact on program delivery. Beaver Creek Park – request was eliminated from the 2013/14-program year. The activity was funded through a substantial amendment to the City’s 2012/13 CDBG Annual Action Plan. Code Enforcement – increased from $38,000 to $60,000 two part-time Code Enforcement Officers dedicated to CDBG eligible areas. Senior Center Programming – new request for $17,808 to fund staff that will be responsible for providing programs at the Senior Center. Selection of Projects The committee held a general discussion about funding each of the capital projects. Motion by Paraventi, supported by Foley, to appropriate $57,500 for Preparation of Application; $15,000 for Minor Home Repair; $20,000 for Housing Rehabilitation; $2,700 for the Macomb County Community Services Agency; $348,898 for Indigo Drive road improvements; and $60,000 for Code Enforcement. Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried The committee members held a general discussion regarding the requests for funding from public service providers. Members expressed concern about the availability of funds for public service providers. Concerns were also raised about providing funding to support City staff that is responsible Special Recreation and Senior Center Programming. Charles Jefferson questioned the funding request for the homebound library book delivery service. Mr. Jefferson commented that technology provides many other ways to access books. A general discussion was held regarding the Single Parent Program at Macomb Community College. The consensus was that the program has been beneficial but the needs of the City have changed as a result of the economy. As a result funding will be reduced for the program and there would be a limit to the maximum benefit for each program participant. The discussion then moved to the remaining public service requests and the difficultly of having to allocate funding based on an estimated CDBG allocation. Motion by Widrig, supported by Norgrove, to allocate $5,000 for MCREST; $5,000 for MATTS; $2,000 for Turning Point; $18,000 for Special Recreation; $18,000 Home Chore; $9,500 for the Single Parent Education Program at MCC; $6,000 for the Library’s Homebound Book Delivery Program; $2,500 for Care House; $5,000 for Macomb County Warming Center; $5,000 for WW Community Connections – Hope Center of Macomb; and $12,958 for Senior Center Programming. Ayes: Norgrove, Palmeri, Paraventi, and Widrig Nays: Foley and Jefferson Motion carried. Motion by Paraventi, supported by Palmeri, to place a cap assistance provided through the City’s funding to the Macomb Community College Single Parent Program to $700 per student. Ayes: Foley, Norgrove, Palmeri, Paraventi, and Widrig Nays: Jefferson Motion carried. A general discuss was held pertaining to the effect of a CDBG funding allocation which may differ from the estimated budget. Motion by Paraventi, supported by Jefferson, if funding is less than the estimated budget, allow program staff to reduce the funding for Indigo Drive under capital projects and distribute the difference of the estimated budget and actual budget for public services equally to each funded activity on a percentage basis. The 15% public service cap must be maintained. Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried. Motion by Paraventi, supported by Jefferson, if funding is more than the estimated budget, allow program staff to increase the funding for Indigo Drive under capital projects and distribute the difference of the estimated budget and actual budget for public services equally to each funded activity on a percentage basis. The 15% public service cap must be maintained. Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried. Other Business Ms. Burgess advised that the committee’s recommendation would be presented to City Council on April 2, 2013. Adjournment Move to adjourn by Widrig, supported by Palmeri. Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried. Meeting adjourned 8:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Joanne Paraventi, Recording Secretary SB