Minutes 04/13/1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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54 TUESDAY, APRH, 13, 1999 Council next considered the need to conduct a public hearing and consider adoption of a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to file a Community Development Block Grant application for $739,200 with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development for the Southside Comprehensive Community Development Project for a total project cost of $1,221,595. City Manager Earl B. Reynolds, Jr., began the presentation on this item, stating that was the next phase of the City's community development efforts. He then introduced Mr. Ken Poore of Ken Poore and Associates who informed Council that the public hearing was required prior to Council' s authorization of the City Manager's filing of the new grant application documents. Mr. Poore stated that the Moss-Barton CDBG Project was nearing completion, which would allow filing of the application for the new grant for work on the Southside. He noted that the City' s share of the project cost would be $482,000, much of which would be in-kind match. Mr. Poore stated that the project would have a thirty month period for completion, would go under contract in September or October of 1999, and that interim assistance from the members of the neighborhood to be affected, in terms of a commitment to help clean up various areas, would be required. In describing the various elements of work to be done Mr. Poore stated that the major work would involve rehabilitation of housing, substantial reconstruction of one unit, a small amount of property acquisition, relocation assistance to one household, and some down payment assistance to home buyers. Mr. Poore noted that neighborhood members had set infrastructure improvements as a priority, and that major street paving, curb, gutter and drainage improvements were planned throughout the neighborhood. He then went on to further describe the targeted areas of the project, and finished by stating that, based upon the elements presented, he felt the application would be very competitive, especially considering the level of participation of the City shown. Following discussion of these and other issues related to the application process Mayor Crabtree opened the Public Hearing. Those who spoke in favor of the proposed project and application included: Mr. Bobby Pinkard, Ms. Gloria Hylton, Mrs. Virginia Blankenship, Ms. Pat Jones, Ms. Polly Spence, Ms. Hilda Ayers, Mr. Gus Blankenship, Ms.