PUBLIC HEARING
1. Public Hearing for the purpose of receiving citizen input on the proposed budget for the City's 2009-10 Community Development Block Grant and HOME Programs.
Click for detail --> 
Mayor Behnke declared the Public Hearing open and asked if there were any public comments.
Alvin Stephenson, 230 Irving Park Drive, spoke on behalf of his grandmother, Ella Stephenson, regarding the Washington Heights senior program and asked the Commission to re-evaluate the funds. He noted his grandmother utilizes the program and does not wish to see it go unfunded. It has gone unfunded for 3 years.
Mayor Behnke stated there may be an opportunity to receive additional funds that our Congressman and Senator award the City of Battle Creek for the process. The City does not know the details yet.
Rev. James Ritchie, 26 W. Roosevelt, spoke regarding the senior program at Washington Heights. Many seniors have problems speaking, thinking, and partaking in other programs in the City. Rev. Ritchie commented that this City has a new "poor" which is the elderly. He asked the Commission to reexamine the city's demographics, the administration, and the need of the 15%. He suggested that CDAC present guidelines for ratings and reexamine the criteria and objectives for the selection. Rev. Ritchie questioned the inclusion of City Commission members and suggested they not have a voice vote in their group. Agencies should be given their ratings and reasons for denial. Lastly, Rev. Ritchie presented 333 signatures on petitions encouraging to maintaining and expanding services of the senior program at Washington Heights Community Ministries.
Cindy Fritz, Vice Chair of CDAC, stated the Council had requests for $381,000 in grants, and the amount that could be allocated was $187,500. The decisions were difficult. She recognized the CDAC Council members that were present and thanked Commissioners Godfrey, Hersha, and Sofia. Ms. Fritz also thanked Chairperson, Gloria Russo.
Dr. Joyce Brown reported that citizen input sessions began last summer and the most pressing community needs for low and moderate income in the Battle Creek area were discussed. The CDAC members took part in a four hour training regarding appraising the proposals. The members then read the applications that were submitted and the agencies were invited to answer questions when the applications were reviewed. The CDAC ranked proposals because there were more proposals than money. In January, CDAC ranked the applications and made recommendations. Dr. Brown noted there was consensus on the decision.
Vice Mayor Walker questioned if agencies can provide input in terms of the process and how improvements might me made from their prospective.
Dr. Brown stated each year staff talks about process improvements because there are recommendations of the CDAC members of things that have gone well. Anyone who wishes to make suggestions for improvement would be well received in the process.
Comm. Hersha asked Al Giguere to comment on the anticipation of the additional $387,000 from HUD and its relevance to this program.
Al Giguere stated the comment was well timed but not answerable. Some information has come from HUD- Detroit, but not much. HUD does not know at this time if the $387,000 will be able to be used for public service. Since it is a stimulus package, most of the conjecture has been that the money is desired to be directed towards activities that will produce jobs. There has been no indication on how to apply for the funds.
Despite the difficult decisions in splitting a small amount of money, Comm. Hersha valued the hard work of the CDAC committee.
Comm. Thompson stated these are very tough decisions and encouraged the CDAC to revaluate some of the organizations that did not receive funding if stimulus money becomes available. She was concerned that Neighborhoods, Inc. and the senior program did not receive any funding.
Comm. Yankama asked what was the purpose of the Title 20 Social Security Block Grant. What is the defining purpose of the program.
Al Giguere reported that CDBG funding has been around for 35 years to assist local units of government make improvements primarily targeting low and moderate income individuals. There is a set of criteria that is applied to the funds. Last year, the City received $1.279M and is estimating the funds for next year to be around $1.250M. The City has the ability to use 15% for public service type programs. Mr. Giguere reported that the City has chosen to fund programs like "after school" and "senior health care" up to the maximum 15%. 20% of the funds can be used for administrative purposes to monitor the programs, and a 85% portion, which the 20% falls into, needs to be spent on housing, infrastructure, and economic development.
Comm. Yankama read the following five purposes of the program: 1) achieving or maintaining economic self support to prevent, reduce, or eliminate dependancy, 2) achieving or maintaining self sufficiency including reduction or prevention of dependency and 3) preventing or remedying neglect, abuse and exploitation of children, 4)preventing or reducing inappropriate institutional care by providing community based care, and 5) securing and referring institutional care.
Al Giguere stated CDBG is controlled by three statutory goals by HUD: decent affordable housing, suitable living environment, and creating economic opportunities.
Comm. Yankama felt the City should look carefully at this block grant and to see the purpose. Comm. Yankama felt the purpose was to help seniors, children, and a portion for administration. He did not see this as the focus point and wanted to look at the leadership of the program.
Comm. Godfrey stated in the number of years that he has been associated with the CDBG program that Battle Creek administers the CDBG funding better than anyone in the state and perhaps the United States. Battle Creek concentrates on making the lives better for low and moderate income citizens. The money that is used for the 85% is used for infrastructure, like street repair in low and moderate neighborhoods. Comm. Godfrey felt that Comm. Yankama may have "googled" the wrong site. The program has received state and federal recognition for the work that is done in Battle Creek. Before we accuse or investigate people for not doing it right, you must have confidence in the leadership here and that they are doing a good job on behalf of the citizens of Battle Creek.
Comm. Yankama said that Comm. Godfrey might be right, and he would research it further.
Vice Mayor Walker stated that he has had an opportunity to serve on CDAC and it is an enlightening experience. He encouraged all commissioners who have not had the opportunity to volunteer to see how the program works.
Mayor Behnke asked if there were any other public comments. Hearing none, Mayor Behnke declared the Public Hearing closed. |