1978 05 02 Block Grantu
2697
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS
May 2,1978
A public hearing was scheduled for May 2, 1978,Tuesday,at 8 p.m. to consider
citizen input for possible projects for Community Development Block Grants.
Stan Bech,Community Development Director,explained to the citizens present that
the city could receive $500,000 for a one year project or up to $2,000,000 over
a three year period for a comprehensive project which could include home improve
ments,gutters,curbs,streets,etc. He stated that HUD would favor a comprehen
sive project.All projects must primarily benefit low and moderate income people.
Sally McLanahan stated that the Senior Citizen's Center would be interested in a
project for senior housing near the center so that more services could be provided.
She mentioned that land was being purchased and that the proposed apartments would
provide low rent and subsidized rentals for senior citizens.
Mr.Bech stated that in the past projects receiving the highest priority were
housing projects or projects which solved a serious threat to health and welfare.
Now the rating is being determined on the amount of low and moderate income people
in the community and the percentage being served by the project.He stated that
the two projects proposed last year,street improvements in the Peninsula area
and sewer improvements in Basin Homes,would receive a high rating if they are
joined with grants for home improvements to low and moderate income citizens.
Several citizens spoke on the need for help for the Day Care Center as it has to
move from its present location at Central School.They felt that it benfited the
children of low and moderate income people and also served as a training ground
for teachers in early childhood development.The citizens felt that funds should
be made available for the purchase of land and the construction of a permanent
building for the Day Care Center.
It was pointed out that if the Community Development Block Grant funds were awarded
the city,plans and specs for their use would not be received until early in 1979
and the Day Care Center has a time limit of three months before they have to move.
Mr.Bech pointed out that the projects which benefit the greatest number of people
would receive the highest rating. He also stated that the City Council would
be setting priorities on the projects at their meeting on May 9. He also stated
that there is no guarantee that Moses Lake will receive funding as the city has
to compete for the funds with other cities in the state.
The question of a project at Westlake was brought up and a citizen felt that it
would be a benefit to more than just the small number of people living in that
area as it is near the entrance to Moses Lake and he felt the ripple affect of
an improvement in this area would be tremendous.
It was pointed out that a project in Westlake would benefit a very small percentage
of low and moderate income people when compared to possible projects in other areas
of the city.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Stanley Bechf/-06mmunity~Development Director