COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
Joint meeting with Committee on Housing
MINUTES: FEBRUARY 23, 2004, 4:00 PM
IN ATTENDANCE:
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Chair: Leg. José Alvarado, Legislators Astorino, Bronz, and Ryan
HOUSING COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Chair: Leg. Bronz, Legislators Alvarado, Astorino, Pinto, and Ryan; Mr. McGrath
BOL STAFF: Barbara A. Dodds; CEO: William Randolph
Also in attendance: Planning Dept.: Norma Drummond, Michael Lipkin, Barbara German, Dana Sanchez; Dept. Social Services: Diane Stern, Joel Levy; Dept. of Public Works: Philip Kruck: Director of Facilities
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
• Bond Act: Coachman Family Center
• HUD Application: Consolidated Plan
With a quorum present for both committees, Legislator Alvarado called Community Affairs to order and Legislator Bronz called Housing to order.
Philip Kruck, DPW: The Coachman Family Center is a family shelter that was purchased in 1993 by Westchester County. The center is in need of funds for upgrades and extensive maintenance that are health and safety and energy saving issues that effect the well-being of the occupants while they are in residency. The bond proposed would be $1.8 Million and there are three key components of the capital project under this act: 1 )heating distribution system, 2) window replacements to make them more energy efficient and 3) elevator repairs. The three elevators in the facility need to be brought into code compliance. The project has begun but additional electrical, mechanical and general contracting work is required.
Legislator Alvarado asked if the Budget Committee had seen this act yet and signed it out. Legislator Bronz said the Budget Committee has seen it and four members of the committee went on a tour to the site and were convinced that the building needs this repair and quickly for safety and security of the building. Bronz said there was no question in her mind that Budget will sign it out.
Leg. Astorino asked about the repairs made in 1993. The repairs included roofing, pointing, exterior work, entrance work, camera systems work, electrical upgrades and storage. Leg. Pinto commented those items are still in good shape. Leg. Alvarado said the liability issues may be great. About 100 families are housed there “7 or 8 months.” Legislator Alvarado recommended a visit to the location Leg. Bronz said she attends the Coachman board meetings several times a year and she is always impressed with their programs. Alvarado moved for passage of the act for Community Affairs and seconded by Leg. Ryan. Leg. Ryan moved for Housing and Pinto seconds. For both committees, all in favor, none in opposition.
The second item on the agenda is the consideration of the County’s Consolidated Plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs. Norma Drummond said that March 15th is the absolute deadline for passage of this legislation. She discussed the program along with a visual presentation. The Program is in its 30th year. This 2004 application represents the County’s 29th year, We must submit a five-year plan that indicates what we are going to do with our federal grant money -- $45 million over the next five years although, on the County level we execute agreements with municipalities in three year grants. We expect HUD will change plans for entitlements from 5 to 6 years.
The new format reduces the paper volume and enhances citizen participation. Four grant programs are covered in the Plan: the CDBG ($6, 887,000) --down $16,000 from last year), Emergency Shelter Grant ($256,000) serving people who are homeless or in imminent danger of becoming homeless went up $16,000 this year and the HOME Investment Partnership Program ($1,940,000) went down $26,000. There is a new grant program included in the application this year that is part of President Bush’s American Dream Down Payment Assistance Initiative. this year with the goal of ending chronic homelessness in ten years. We expect to receive over $95,000 in down payment assistance funds for the first time. Five-year program. This is the second year of our current three year CDBG cycle which will fund 66 projects, 52% of the funds are going to communities with the largest low-income populations. There are only 5 HOME Program projects representing 68 new affordable housing units—35 are home ownership and 33 are rental.
The Plan has been approved by the municipalities and the County Planning Board. Leg. Alvarado commented that these projects are in tune with what the needs are in the County and what projects are realistic to accomplish with the funds on hand. The four large cities are not part of the program because they apply for and receive their own grants. Mount Pleasant remains the only other municipality that has not joined the consortium. Legislator Pinto commended Norma Drummond and her Planning staff for years of excellent and expert work for the County. Leg. Alvarado added that the County does some very good work.
For Community Affairs, Leg. Astorino moved the legislation, seconded by Leg. Ryan. For Housing, Leg. Pinto moved and Leg. Astorino seconded.
All in favor, none in opposition.
Those in attendance were reminded that the CDBG Day Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, April 7 in Pleasantville.
The meeting was adjourned by Legislators Alvarado and Ryan.
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