Agenda - Council - 01/23/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Rise ~Rise, Incorporated 8406 Sunset Road Northeas( Spring Lake Park, Minnesota ~g~J2-1387 (612) 786-8334 FAX: 786.0008 An Affirmative atction Employer Janumy 16, 1996 Ms. Sylvia Frolik, Zoning Administrator City of Ramsey 15153 Nowthen Boulevard NW Ramsey, MN 55303 Dear Ms. Frolik: Thank you for your letter of January 10, 1996, advising us of the City of Ramsey's deadline for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications and public hearing date. Last year the City of Ramsey approved a $2,000 Community Development Block Grant for Rise. We would like to extend our thanks to the City of Ramsey for this funding. The CDBG funding was used as a match for a grant from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN DOT) which made it possible for us to purchase a van to meet our ongoing transportation needs. On behalf of Rise, Incorporated, its Board of Directors, and the many people we serve each year, we are submitting this application to request partial funding of one of four vans needed as replacements or additions this year. The total cost of the four vehicles is $110,000. We invite the City of Ramsey to contribute $3,000 in CDBG funds to this project. In the last four years the number of people Rise has served in all of its programs has increased substantially and we are now serving more people with severe disabilities. In spite of their challenging needs, however, over 90 percent of Rise participants work either full time or part time in community-based jobs. The total number of Ramsey residents Rise provided services to in 1995 was 11. While the population Rise serves is growing as are its needs, public funding of its programs is decreasing. In 1996 Rise anticipates significant reductions in funding for many of its programs. Funding for capital expenses like vans is not included in program service fees from governmental sources. In view of the substantial funding decreases Rise will experience this year, we will be looking for new funding sources and stretching existing resources while trying to maintain quality services. We are looking, therefore, to Community Development Block Grants as well as corporations, foundations, and individuals to help us fund the purchase of vehicles so that we can continue to provide safe and efficient transportation. If it weren't for Rise transportation, many people would not have access to the jobs they work at each day. Rise provides daily transportation to four Ramsey residents. Committed to integration, employment~ and independence for all people through service excellence.