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Mr. Hendrix noted that funded which had previously been <br />appropriated for the program could be carried over to the <br />next year since the program would only be funded for <br />approximately three or four months out of the present fiscal <br />year. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck stated that it was his assumption that the <br />expense for professional services in the budget was the <br />amount recommended by the consultant and that it was unknown <br />whether that amount was accurate. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix noted that the expense for providing <br />professional services must be matched by the people using <br />the service and that it was hoped that volunteer help could <br />be used also. <br /> <br /> Mr. Towe noted concern that the recommended length of <br />the program varied from three to five years, that the <br />starting salary for the program facilitator could be more <br />than allowed in the budget, and that the part-time <br />secretarial help was not a part of the $80,000 budget. Mr. <br />Towe questioned whether the Council could tell the CDBG Task <br />Force that they must allocate the funding for the Minority <br />Business Program. Mr. Towe stated that he felt the staff <br />should look to the community to provide a cooperative <br />program to leverage cost dollars. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix stated that the employee would be hired at <br />the beginning of the pay range and would be hired for a <br />maximum of three years. Mr. Hendrix stated that the CDBG <br />Task Force makes a recommendation to Council as to the use <br />of the CDBG funds and Council makes the final decision. Mr. <br />Hendrix stated that City funds may need to be put into the <br />program in the future, especially for the loan program. Mr. <br />Hendrix stated that for the present time his staff would <br />provide the necessary secretarial assistance. <br /> <br /> Ms. Cynthia Stratton, Chairman of the CDBG Task Force, <br />stated that the Task Force did request that it be allowed to <br />review the Minority Business Program before Council <br />approval, but in no way did it intend to hinder the Program. <br />Ms. Stratton stated that she did not know whether the Task <br />Force would recommend continued use of CDBG funds for the <br />Minority Business Program. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck stated that Council would be reviewing the <br />ordinance establishing the CDBG Task Force and recommended <br />that the issue of the role of the Task Force be discussed at <br />that time. Mr. Buck stated that he felt Council's concerns <br />with the Minority Business Program could be addressed by <br />stipulating the terms and conditions in the approval of the <br />budget. <br /> <br /> Mr. Barnes recommended that the job description for the <br />Minority Business facilitator include a three-year sunset <br />provision and a statement that one function of the position <br />would be to ease the program into the private sector within <br />that time frame. Mr. Barnes stated that he would prefer <br />that the Minority Business Program be funded as much as <br />possible out of the CDBG funds. <br /> <br /> Mr. Wiley stated that it was not an unusual situation <br />to limit employment to three years. <br /> <br /> On motion by Mrs. Gleason, seconded by Dr. Hall, the <br />facilitator and budget for the Minority Business Program <br />were unanimously approved by Council with the following <br />stipulations: the program be three years in length after <br />which time the program would be picked up by the private <br />sector, it is Council's intention that CDBG funds be used to <br />fund the Program, and that no obligation exists for funding <br />the program beyong the three-year period. <br /> <br /> <br />