City of Oak Creek
Common Council Report
Meeting Date: June 19, 2007
Item No.:
Recommendation: That the Council allocate the City’s 2008 CDBG funds to the projects that are found to be eligible as follows:
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Proposed 2008 Projects |
Requested Funding |
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Public Service |
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The Center Elderly Drop- in |
$288 |
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The Salvation Army |
$20,000 |
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Senior Citizen Services |
$4500 |
|
Interfaith Older Adult Programs |
$8850 |
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Subtotal |
$29,200 |
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|
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Non Public Service |
|
|
Reverse 911 notification system |
$67,150 |
|
OC Community Center strategic plan implementation |
$7500 |
|
Thermal Imaging Camera |
$9000 |
|
Fire Station #3 / Veterans Park parking lot expansion |
$60,000 |
|
Subtotal |
$143,650 |
|
Total |
$172,850 |
NOTE: Action on this item may be held until the July 17, 2007 Common Council meeting if the Council wishes to consider additional projects identified at the public hearing.
Background: The Council has to review proposed projects that would utilize the City’s 2008 funds, which have yet to be allocated by Milwaukee County. The County has not given us any indication as to our funding level for next year. Past years funding has averaged approximately $67,000.
Prior to tonight’s meeting and utilizing a uniform application format, the following projects have been proposed:
The Center Elderly Drop-in – This money would be used to purchase and install handicapped bars in all bathroom stalls at the Community Center.
The Salvation Army – The Salvation Army has historically requested funds for their summer day camp program, as well as funds for their food pantry.
Oak Creek Parks, Recreation and Forestry Senior Citizen’s Club – This would be used to:
□ Subsidize a hot meal program
□ Transportation for “field trips”
□ Entertainment /social events
□ Supplies and printing
Interfaith – This money would be used to serve Oak Creek residents who are 60 or over, including salaries, training and transportation assistance.
Reverse 911 phone system - A reverse 911 phone system broadcasts telephone messages to many recipients at once. Communities can contact residents and employees simultaneously in the event of an emergency.
Reverse 911 systems use a database of phone lists as well as digitally-recorded phone messages. Using the telephone, these computers can simultaneously broadcast thousands of phone messages. Personalized information can be included in the phone messages through the integration of text-to-speech software. Advanced systems also allow for answering-machine detection, and the logic to properly play a unique message to answering machines.
This system would be used to advise those with limited access, such as the elderly or handicapped, of potential hazards, including extreme heat or cold warnings and instructions in the case of an emergency.
Water main connection to the Legion grounds – At an earlier Council meeting, it was suggested that it may be appropriate to use CDBG funds to install a watermain connection to the American Legion grounds on Shepard Avenue. Staff contacted Milwaukee County, who indicated that this would not be an appropriate use of CDBG funds.
Oak Creek Community Center – The Oak Creek Community Center is requesting $7500 for consulting and fundraising fees to retain a consultant to review and implements portions of the Oak Creek Community Center strategic plan. Milwaukee County has indicated that funds for planning activities likely will not be available this grant cycle.
Thermal Imaging Camera – A thermal imaging camera provides an enhanced firefighting tool. It enables the crews to find victims in a building with smoke conditions much easier and quicker. The camera also enables the crews to find the source of hidden fires.
Parking lot expansion for Veteran’s Park/Fire Station #3 – This project would construct a new parking lot for the use of people attending Veteran’s Park for special events and normal use. The parking lot would serve a dual function as overflow for training and other functions associated with the Fire Department.
Based on our historical allocation of about $67,000, and the requirement that no more than 15% of the funds be allocated to public service uses (on a Countywide basis), there would be a little more than $10,000 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
These proposals are due to Milwaukee County on or before July 11, 2007. In past year’s the Council held the public hearing, and then allowed additional time for public input prior to voting on the proposed projects. Given the fact that the City just received notice of the application deadline, and that there is no Council meeting scheduled the first week of July, it would be appropriate to hold the public hearing this evening, and then to withhold action on the allocation until the next Council meeting (July 17th) in order to give staff and the Council time to consider projects that might be proposed at the hearing.
If the Council is comfortable with the projects as currently proposed, they may take action on this item.
Milwaukee County has indicated that an extension to the July 11th deadline is appropriate, should the Council decide to hold this over for future action.
Fiscal Impact: The use of CDBG funds reduces the amount of funding the City has to provide through the annual budget to provide these same levels of service.
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Prepared by:
Doug Seymour, AICP Director of Community Development |
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick DeGrave City Administrator
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