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Mr. Cox said he ~vould like to see consideration given to providing grants rather than loans. Ms. Grant noted that the majority of the funding for this program will be coming from the bank and the City is not in a position to tell them how to use their funds. Ms. Slaughter said there is also a need to assure that the loans are made to viable businesses. Ms. Daugherty said she would like to see the proposed program given a chance since it is so much more flexible than programs offered previously. Mr. Cox said he appreciates that there are no sidewalk improvements included. Mr. Cox asked if other funds are available that coUld be used to provide more attractive lighting at the Belmont Bridge. Ms. Slaughter said that any funds available would have to be taken away from other capital projects. Responding to a question from Mr. Cox, Ms. Anne Borcharding, Grants Coordinator, said that data processing charges were previouSly not included in the administration budget but are included this year. Ms. Richards, referring to the revised priorities regarding infrastructure projects, pointed out that to her knowledge Council has not revised priorities regarding sidewalks and drainage. Ms. Richards noted that the implication of this change is that overall fewer sidewalks will be built. On motion by Mr. Toscano, seconded by Mr. Cox, the projects proposed for Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds were unanimously approved by Council. RESOLUTION: CONSOLIDATED PLAN AMENDMENT Ms. Slaughter said that Council will draft changes to the Consolidated Plan which will then be available to the public. In addition, Council wilt hold a public hearing on the proposed changes prior to their adoption. Ms. Borcharding explained that the Consolidated Plan is a document required by HUD that directly affects how CDBG and HOME funds are used, and indirectly affects other agencies with regard to their consistency with Council's priorities as listed in the Consolidated Plan: Ms. Borcharding said that the Plan must be subrnitted to HUD by May 15th and a 30 day public comment period is required prior to that date. Ms. Richards proposed that the priority dealing with rehabilitation of substandard rental housing be available only to those units owned by low-income individuals. Mr.' Cox said that he does not feel that the real needs in low-income neighborhoOds are being addressed, and expressed concern that the change recommended by Ms. Richards might prevent a business such as Dogwood Housing helping to rehabilitate rental housing in the future. Mr. Toscano asked if this priority had caused any rental units to be converted to Section 8 housing, and added that he is not interested in eliminating current Section 8 housing or pushing people out of their homes, but he does not ~ant to see Conversions to Section 8 housing. Ms. Grant said that she has not seen any conversions to Section 8 housing under the current program.