Minutes - Council - 01/27/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Case #2: Allocation of Community Development Block Grant Funds Zoning Administrator Frolik stated 1998 is the third year of a three-year cycle, therefore, the funds must be allocated or lost this year. The City's allocation for 1996 and 1998 CDBG funds is in the amount of $64,494.00. Mayor Gamec suggested $3,000 be put into the Senior Center for miscellaneous supplies. Councilmember Haas Steffen did not care to take the funds out of CDBG dollars to fix up the seniors' area because using those dollars may preclude other groups from using the facility. She would prefer to see as much funds as possible go toward senior housing instead. She believes the seniors need to be cared for but the other groups can also use Council support. Mr. Frolik stated if any CDBG money is used it has to be used for something that benefits the senior citizens or low-moderate income people. Councilmember Haas Steffen suggested the Council contingency fund money be used to purchase a piano or whatever for the seniors citizens area. Mayor Gamec stated the piano will be discussed at an upcoming meeting. Councilmember Haas Steffen questioned the sidewalk retrofits and whether they would all be done in the watered and sewered area. She asked if the only dollars available to do this would be CDBG funds. City Engineer Jankowski stated possible street maintenance money could be used. He stated this would be CDBG eligible because it would be for handicapped residents. Councilmember Haas Steffen stated there are a couple of other areas where sidewalk is needed to make it safe. She stated she would rather see this item paid for from street maintenance dollars. Mayor Gamec asked if the retrofits were required. Ms. Frolik stated it is not required but could be done with CDBG dollars. Councilmember Haas Steffen stated she would prefer to see this covered by street maintenance and would like to add that money into senior housing. She stated the population of Ramsey is young and there have been many calls for domestic abuse. She suggested $2,000 be given to the Father's Resource Center which addresses parenting for fathers. The amount in the resolution for the Senior Housing Project would become $62,783.00 if the sidewalk retrofits are eliminated. Councilmember Haas Steffen advised she is no longer a Director at the Family Service Center. Motion by Councilmember Beahen and seconded by Councilmember Zimmerman for introduction of Resolution #98-01-014 Allocating 1996 and 1998 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds and Designating Use of 1997 Unallocated CDBG Funds as follows: City Council/January 27, 1998 Page 6 of 11