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38 <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Huja said that the city jail complex <br />is part of the national historic district and is designated historic by local ordinance as well. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING: CDBG APPROPRIATION (FY 96/97) <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja explained that the City hopes to receive $778,945 in Community <br />Development Block Grant funds, but has only been assured of receiving $321,000 to date <br />due to the federal budget impasse. An additional $76,000 in HOME funds are expected. The <br />following groups were active in making recommendations for the funding: CDBG Task <br />Force, North Belmont Task Force, and Social Development Commission. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Huja said that there are eight <br />condemned houses in the City, and funding is recommended in the budget to take care of two <br />to three houses. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Slaughter about the neighborhood partnership, Mr. <br />Huja said the City will act as a catalyst for development of partnerships between the City and <br />neighborhoods, similar to the Kellytown project. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter asked about the landscaping proposed for 8th Street, and Mr. Huja said <br />the property is owned by Norfolk Southern, but they will allow the City to plant and maintain <br />the area. <br /> <br />Ms. Slaughter said that she continues to feel that the CDBG administration cost is high. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja said that two full-time employees are funded by CDBG funds, and funding <br />also goes to the City Attorney's office, for the audit, for easement acquisition, data <br />processing, advertising, and mailing. <br /> <br />The public hearing was opened. <br /> <br /> Ms. Darcy Phillips, 703 Bolling Avenue, and a member of the North Belmont Task <br />Force, encouraged Council to support items listed in the proposed budget for North Belmont, <br />and also asked that continued funding be made available to North Belmont. <br /> <br /> Ms. Karen Firehock of Avon Street, and a member of the North Belmont Task Force, <br />gave a slide presentation of areas of Belmont and asked for funding for landscaping, an <br />entrance sign, paint for businesses, drainage improvements, and handicapped improvements. <br />Ms. Firehock asked that North Belmont be designated as an historic district and requested <br />three years of funding. <br /> <br /> Ms. Karen Kaster, 937 Belmont Avenue, and a member of the North Belmont Task <br />Force, said that the Clark School playground is not easily accessible t° the public and a new <br />park is needed, which could be located on the CSX property. Ms. Kaster said there are <br />virtually no continuous sidewalks in Belmont and few curbcuts. Ms. Kaster encouraged <br />Council to provide funding for three years. <br /> <br /> Mr. Joe Atkins, 752 Belmont Avenue, supported the funding requests for North <br />Belmont, especially the housing rehabilitation and low interest loan grants. <br /> <br /> Mr. Joe Celentano, 816 Belmont Avenue, and a member of the North Belmont Task <br />Force, supported the Task Force recommendations. <br /> <br /> Mr. Guy Cohen, 3600 Graymont Avenue, Earlysville, a business owner in Belmont, <br />supported the recommendations of the Task Force. <br /> <br /> Mr. Morris Puckett of Fitzgerald Tire Company in Belmont, expressed concern that <br />cars have difficulty entering his business due to the configuration of the street, and also <br />expressed concern that cars will be unable to get into his business if an elevated sidewalk is <br />built. <br /> <br /> <br />