SPECIAL PARKS, RECREATION, AND
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
A Special Parks, Recreation and Community Enhancement Committee Meeting was held on March 19, 2007 at 1:15 p.m. with Chairman Ruane presiding. Members present were Mr. McGlumphy, Mrs. Russell, Mrs. Horsey, and Mrs. Lewis.
City Clerk’s Office Note: Members met at 10:45 a.m. and departed for site visits at 11:00 a.m. It was noted that oral presentations by the grant applicants would take place between 1:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., after which time the committee would discuss the applications and formulate recommendations.
Agenda Additions/Deletions
Mr. McGlumphy moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried.
FY07 Grant Application Presentation, Review, and Recommendations
It was noted that the committee will serve as the FY07 Grant Application Review Panel for the Community Development Block Grant Applications for Fiscal Year 2007. As such, members were provided application details, staff reports summarizing each application, a CDBG Review Panel Scoring Sheet, and a worksheet for summarizing individual evaluations of each application. Mrs. Harvey, Community Development Coordinator, requested that each member summarize their evaluation of each application on the CDBG Review Panel Worksheet based on needs determined from the site visit, oral presentations from each applicant, and individual scoring of each applicant. She explained that the number in the parenthesis for each measure to be scored is the maximum score for a given category. The maximum total points is 100. Mrs. Harvey advised members that the total grant available for activities is $238,660 and explained the allocation requirements of the grant, as follows:
CDBG Funds allocation $278,978
Anticipated Program Income $ 19,346
$298,324
20% of the Grant must be allocated $298,324
for Program Administration x .20
$ 59,664
Public Service Activities cannot $298,324
exceed 15% of the Grant x .15
$ 44,748
Total Grant Available for Activities $238,660
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Each applicant was provided an opportunity to make oral presentations before the committee, as follows:
First State; Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D) - $25,000
Ms. Christne L. Stillson, Director of Emergency Home Repair Project for the First State Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D), explained that the grant application, in the amount of $25,000, is to support the activities of the Emergency Home Repair Project for repairing an estimated eight (8) to ten (10) homes in the City of Dover during the 2007/2008 fiscal year. She advised members that these funds will assist very low income homeowners in the elimination of severe housing conditions that constitute immediate health or safety hazards to the residents of the home, such as heating systems, roof replacements, hazardous electrical systems, and wheel chair ramps.
Having received CDBG Grant money in previous years, Ms. Stillson stated that there have been a total of 14 sites receiving repairs in the City limits. Members were provided details regarding the site locations and the repairs received from July 2005 to date.
Connections Community Support Programs, Inc. - $25,000
Ms. Kirsten Olson, Director of Development and Housing for the Connections Community Support Programs, Inc., advised members that the organization serves individuals that have been chronically homeless for one (1) year or more and have extremely low income. The grant application, in the amount of $25,000, is to support their new Easy Access 2 Permanent Housing Program, which is the first permanent supportive housing program for the chronically homeless to be sited in the City of Dover.
Ms. Olson explained that Connections Community Support Programs, Inc. provides a comprehensive array of community-based treatment, support, housing, and rehabilitation services for people recovering from and living with mental health and substance use conditions, homelessness, and HIV/AIDS.
In response to Mr. Ruane, Ms. Olson indicated that she has had discussions with the City Planner and has obtained an attorney to determine if there is a zoning issue with the current activities of the Connections facility.
House of Pride - $33,050
Mr. Mondoe Davis, Operations Manager for the House of Pride, as well as Planning Coordinators, Ms. Lisa Davis and Mr. Gary Kennedy, addressed members regarding the House of Pride CDBG application in the amount of $33,050. The request is to provide extermination services for wood destroying insects, rodents, and cockroaches, and heat installation. Mr. Davis stated that the organization provides transitional housing for substance abuse and drug addicted individuals. It was noted that the House of Pride received a CDBG grant in 2003 for $25,000, which was returned to the City for failure to comply with program guidelines and to expend the funds in a 24 month period.
Tolano and Cathy Anderson - $57,000
Mr. Tolano Anderson, Owner/Manager, and Mrs. Cathy Anderson, Co-Owner/Assistant Manager, advised members that their goal is to provide residential housing for low to moderate income and handicapped persons and assists in the revitalization efforts in the downtown target area. The properties to be rehabilitated are located at 301B, 303A, 303B, and 305A W. Loockerman Street. Mr. Anderson explained that the funds would be used for structural framing, roof and ceiling work, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, walls, sub-floors, windows and fixture installation, trim work, floor covering, and appliances, as well as landscaping, parking, security, and lighting. He noted that the commercial storefront located at 301 W. Loockerman Street will be developed exclusively at the owner’s expense.
Delaware Valley Development Company - $150,000
Mr. Glenn Worgan, Vice President of the Delaware Valley Development Company, explained that the grant application, in the amount of $150,000, is to assist with the revitalization of the Walker Woods rental community. He advised members that the Delaware Valley Development Company is a full service real estate development, building, and investment company specializing in affordable housing. He noted that the total development cost is approximately $8,000,000.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. Worgan indicated that a letter of support from the City of Dover would improve the chances of obtaining grant monies from the State of Delaware.
City of Dover Community Development Projects: Program Administration - $59,635; Homeowner Rehabilitation Assistance Program - $50,000; Homeownership Assistance Program - $40,000; and City Facilities ADA Improvements - $26,800
Mrs. Tracy Harvey, Community Development Director, advised members that the Program Administration funds, in the amount of $59,635, will be used to oversee management, monitoring, and coordination of the CDBG program in the City of Dover. She stated that the Homeowner Rehabilitation Assistance Program funds, in the amount of $50,000, will be used to rehabilitate qualified owner occupied homes found in violation of the City’s Housing Code. She indicated that the Homeownership Assistance Program funds, in the amount of $40,000, will be used to provide downpayment or settlement assistance to first time homebuyers who purchase property in the City of Dover.
Mr. Scott Koenig, Public Utilities Director, advised members that the City Facilities ADA Improvement funds, in the amount of $26,800, will be used to replace the water coolers in Weyandt Hall so that they are handicapped accessible; a no slip tread will be added to the stairway in Weyandt Hall; the men’s bathroom in City Hall will be converted to a handicapped accessible bathroom that will be a family bathroom; and no slip treads and an additional a handrail will be installed on the steps to the Mayors Office.
Whatcoat Social Service Agency - $15,000
No one was present to speak on behalf of Whatcoat Social Service Agency.
Noting that each of the applicants, with the exception of the City of Dover, had completed a Sub-Recipient Application Form, including additional required information, Mrs. Russell felt that City staff should be required to submit the same material as required of all other applicants.
Mr. McGlumphy also relayed concern that all applicants are not aware of the deliberations of the committee and that they should be given the same opportunity as City staff to attend these deliberations.
Mrs. Russell moved that staff provide additional details regarding the City’s Community Development Projects (Homeowner Rehabilitation Assistance Program, Homeownership Assistance Program, and City Facilities ADA Improvements), similar to the required paperwork received from all other applicants. The motion was seconded by Mr. McGlumphy and unanimously carried.
Mr. McGlumphy moved that the committee be provided details regarding any carryover amounts from the FY06 CDBG Funds. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.
Mr. Lewis moved that staff be directed to contact Whatcoat Social Service Agency to determine why they did not attend today’s meeting and give them the opportunity to provide an explanation. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried.
Mr. McGlumphy moved to request staff to provide a “clean hands” report regarding any outstanding City issues involving any of the applicants, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.
Mr. McGlumphy moved for adjournment, seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 3:50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Eugene B. Ruane
Chairman
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