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4 <br /> <br /> Mr. Harrison Rue, Director of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District <br />Commission, reviewed the proposed MPO study and said that public input into the <br />process is a given. <br /> <br /> Responding to questions from Mr. Cara vati, Mr. Rue said he does not think you <br />can address the Hydraulic intersection without addressing the Route 250 bypass <br />intersection as well and funding for such a study is complicated, but assuming that it can <br />be found, the study could begin in the fall. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he is on the side of taking action sooner rather than later. Mr. Cox <br />said he thinks there is ample opportunity for input and for Council to consider the <br />th <br />resolution on September 16 . Mr. Cox said we now know that we can manage the <br />process ourselves, and he thinks we can have a project we can all agree on. He said that <br />development in the County is barreling forward. He said he sees this as an opportunity to <br />create new economic development possibilities. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said that Hillsdale Driv e extension is a project with a lot of support <br />and it can relieve a lot of congestion on Hydraulic Road. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING <br />: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT <br />PROGRAM AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES MADE EQUAL (HOME) FUNDING <br />FOR FY 2003 - 2004 <br /> <br /> Ms. Missy Creasy in the Department of Neighborhood Development Services, <br />said that staff is asking for guidance on CDBG and HOME funding for consideration by <br />the CDBG Task Force. Ms. Creasy also asked for approval for continuation of Rose Hill <br />Neighborhood as the target neig hborhood, and for the amount of funding for social <br />programs. <br /> <br /> The public hearing was opened. <br /> <br /> Mr. Overton McGee of Habitat for Humanity, thanked Council for their advise <br />and support over the years, and he invited Council on a tour of Habitat houses. He said <br />he would like the City to continue to help buy lots with CDBG funds as lots are <br />becoming increasingly expensive. Mr. McGee said their goal is to eliminate substandard <br />housing in our community. <br /> <br /> Ms. Holly Hatcher of Public Housing Association of Resi dents (PHAR) said she <br />is disappointed that there are not enough CDBG funds to attack poverty. Ms. Hatcher <br />asked that Council use funds to address the need for more affordable rental housing. <br /> <br /> Mr. Dave Norris, 1508 Green Street, said that 30% of children in the City live in <br />poverty, and CDBG funds are a powerful weapon to attack this problem. Mr. Norris <br />asked Council to consider how programs will succeed in moving families out of poverty. <br /> <br /> As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he continues to support last year's priorities and feels that they are <br />key components in fighting poverty. He said he feels that homeownership is also a good <br />investment. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked how much is going to workforce development initiati ves in the <br />current year, and Ms. Creasy said the majority went to homeownership and rehabilitation, <br />with some funds going to neighborhood child care. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said that workforce development falls into the social program <br />category with a 15% maximum. Ms. Richards asked if it is permissible under regulations <br />to solicit proposals from groups who are already involved in workforce development. <br /> <br /> Ms. Creasy said proposals can be solicited, but the groups must put together the <br />proposal. <br />