Agenda - Council - 10/28/1980 - Laserfiche WebLink

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LETTERS AND COMMUNICATIONS No comments. STAFF REPORTS No comments. COUNCIL OLD BUSINESS 1) Joint Cooperative Agreement; Regarding Community Block Grant Program Anoka County Administrator Ralph McGinley was present to discuss the Community Block Grant Program. He informed the council that Commissioner Fields could not be at the meeting because of a previous commitment. He stated the purpose of the Joint Cooperative Agreement is to allow Anoka County to make application for a HUD Block Grant. This is the first year Anoka County is eligible for the grant and will remain eligible for fiscal years 1981 and 1982 but may lose eligibility for 1983. He said the purpose of the program, which has been in effect since 1974, is basically to provide blocks of money, - without strings attached. However, funds must be targeted to housing or the improvement of neighborhoods where there is low or moderate income. Eighteen thousand dollars per year or less is considered moderate income. Funds cannot be used for buildings such as City Hall. They may be used for street lighting, community centers, sewers, etc. 2.3 million dollars is the figure HUD gave for the block grant for Anoka County. The County will make the determination of what programs will receive these funds. The only test of whether the County meets the criteria to get this grant is that the County get enough municipalities to sign the Joint Cooperative Agreement. The County will need all the municipalities in the county to sign the agreement to qualify for the program. The program will be administered out of the County Administration Office and staff hired would be kept to a minimum. The County will rely on the municipalities to develop the plan. The County will have to hire an administrator to provide administration of this program. He said he would be happy to answer any questions the council may have. • Mayor Gamec said it looked like the County will be hiring an administrator to oversee this program. County Administrator McGinley replied that the County will be hiring one full -time administrator. Mayor Cameo said cities such as Ramsey and Andover do not have a Planner and this fact would put them behind the bigger communities. He asked if a city would be able to recoup dollars if it hired staff for this program. County Administrator McGinley replied that if the City of Ramsey extended dollars, it would be recouped. He said there are no federal string attached to the dollars. C /September 23, 1980 Page 2