City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  December 6, 2005

Item No.:        

Recommendation:  That the Council allocate the City’s 2006 CDBG funds to the projects that are found to be eligible from those that have been proposed.

Background:  The Council has to review proposed projects that would utilize the City’s 2006 funds, which are currently estimated to be about the same as the $60,600 allocated last year.  Prior to tonight’s meeting and utilizing a uniform application format, the following projected were proposed:

Proposed 2006 Projects	Requested Funding
Public Service
The Center Elderly Drop- in	$ 550
The Salvation Army	$ 13,500
Senior Citizen Services	$ 4,500
Interfaith Older Adult Programs	$ 7,190
Subtotal	$ 25,740
Non Public Service
Tri Corp Housing	$ 5,200
Handicapped accessibility (various sidewalk projects)	$ not determined
Handicapped accessibility (Miller Park restrooms)	$ not determined
Total	$ not determined

My comments on the above listed public service projects are as follows:

The Center Elderly Drop-in – This would be used to provide additional and upgraded equipment for the Oak Creek “Forever Young” Senior Citizen Program including the purchase of banquet tables.

The Salvation Army – The Salvation Army is requesting funds for:

□ provide short term shelter

□ scholarships for summer day camp

□ food pantry

□ other services

Senior Citizen Services – This would be used to:

□ Subsidize a hot meal program

□ Transportation for “field trips”

□ Entertainment /social events

□ Supplies

Interfaith – This money would be used to serve Oak Creek residents who are 60 or over, including transportation assistance.

Tri Corp Housing – The requested funds would be used for the purchase of window coverings for the residents of the Cherry Creek apartments.

Handicapped accessibility projects – At a meeting in December of last year, students and advisors representing Oak Creek presented suggestions to the Common Council with respect to improving the daily accessibility needs of citizens with limited mobility.  As a follow up to that presentation, it was suggested that the students look at areas within Oak Creek that might benefit from accessibility improvements.  The students submitted a letter, with a list of such sites.  The Council may wish to consider using a portion of the City’s allocation to address some of these areas.

Handicapped accessibility projects – At the August 1, 2005 public hearing, it was suggested that the City use CDBG funds for the renovation of the bathroom facilities at Miller Park to make them handicapped accessible.  Milwaukee County has indicated that this would be an eligible expense.  No cost figures have been provided for this project.

Also at the August 1 public hearing, it was suggested that CDBG funds be used to create a second point of access to an existing subdivision.  Milwaukee County has indicated that this would not be an eligible expense.

Based on our anticipated allocation of about $60,600, and the requirement that no more than 15% of the funds be allocated to public service uses (on a Countywide basis), there would be approximately $9090 to distribute among those requesting public service funds.  Accordingly, it is preferable to allocate the City’s funding to specific projects.  If the County’s percentage of public service projects exceeds the 15% threshold, it may be necessary to reallocate money among the groups receiving public service funds through the City. That would need to occur at a later date, once further direction is received from the County.

At this point, it would be my recommendation that the 2006 funds be allocated as follows, recognizing that if the County’s percentage of public service projects exceeds the 15% threshold, it may be necessary to reallocate money among the groups receiving public service funds through the City. That would need to occur at a later date, once further direction is received from the County.

Recommended 2006 Projects	Recommended Funding
Public Service
The Center Elderly Drop- in	$ 550
The Salvation Army	$ 13,500
Senior Citizen Services	$ 4,500
Interfaith Older Adult Programs	$ 7,190
Subtotal	$ 25,740
Non Public Service
Tri Corp Housing	$ 5,200
Handicapped accessibility (Miller Park restrooms)	$ 29,660
Total	$ 60,600

Fiscal Impact: The use of CDBG funds certainly reduces the amount of funding the City has to provide through the annual budget to provide these same levels of service.   

Prepared by: Doug Seymour, AICP Director of Community Development

Fiscal Review by: Beverly A. Buretta, CMC City Clerk