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96 <br /> <br />Sidewalks; and 3) Parks and Recreation.- Mr. Hendrix <br />requested that Council give direction--to the Task Force for <br />development of specific~plans following the public hearing. <br /> <br />The public hearing was opened. <br /> <br /> Ms. Holly Olinger, Director of the Charlottesville <br />Housing Improvement Program (CHIP), requested that the City <br />allocate a total of ~255;000, a $75,000 increase from~the <br />previous year, to meet the increased need for housing <br />rehabilitation Ms. Olinger also asked the CDBG Task Force and <br />Council to consider development of a replacement housing <br />program to address those situations where~it is more feasible <br />and economical to replace a building rather than repair it. <br /> <br /> Mr. Rick Brown, President of the Fifeville Neighborhood <br />Association and a member of the Fifeville Task Force, agreed <br />that CHIP's services have been of great benefit to the-City <br />and requested that Council not reallocate funds for projects <br />previously approved for.FY 1990-91~ ~ ~i~ --~ <br /> <br /> Mr. Bob Newman, -representing the Charlottesville Housing <br />Foundation, requested $100,000 in CDBG funds-to develop 34 <br />rental units, stating that the availability of affordable <br />rental houses is an issue which has never been adequately <br />addressed in the City. In addition to CDBG funds, Mr. Newman <br />recommended that the City consider using reserve, unspent, <br />and capital funds for housing. ~ ~ <br /> <br /> Mr. Louie Chapman, Assistant City Manager, explained <br />that while staff agree with~the idea of the replacement <br />program mentioned by-Ms. Olinger, federal regulations do not <br />currently allow the use of CDBG funds for new construction, <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano requested that more information be provided <br />regarding unspent funds. Mr. Satyendra Huja, Director of <br />Community Development, replied that there are considerable <br />unspent funds but they are committed to.specific~projects. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Toscano, Mr. Huja <br />stated that an increase in the level of CDBG funding is <br />expected for FY 91-92. <br /> <br /> Ms. Water stated that it would be her preference to <br />allow the Task Force to use up to 15% of the CDBG funds for <br />social programs rather than requiring a fixed amount. Ms. <br />Waters stated that she felt that discussions should be held <br />between Council and the Social Development Commission so that <br />Council could ~provide guidance regarding-whether CDBG funds <br />should be used as seed~money, as has been-the p~actice in the <br />past, or should be used for continuing programs, particUlarly <br />given the shortage of money for existing programs. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano asked for details about the rationale for <br />increasing the social programs to 15% and Mr. Huja replied <br />that the amount of raised as an attempt to offset reductions <br />in State funding. <br /> <br /> Mr-Toscano stated'that ~he was inclined to emphaSize <br />housing over social programs and to leave the'social program <br />allocation at 12%. Mr. Toscano asked whether any thought had <br />been given to improving the working relationship between the <br />CDBG and Neighborhood Task Force and Mr. Huja replied that <br />some communication had been held in this regard. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters made a motion to leave the allocation for <br />social programs to ~the discretion of the CDBG Task ForCe, <br />using a minimum of 12% ~and no more than 15% of the available <br />CDBG funds. Ms. Slaughter seconded the motion. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja stated that he felt it would be helpful t° give <br />more specific direction to the CDBG Task Force and Social <br /> <br /> <br />