City of Oak Creek
Common Council Report
Meeting Date: July 17, 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:
|
Proposed 2008 Projects |
Requested Funding |
Recommended Funding |
|
Public Service |
|
|
|
The Center Elderly Drop- in |
$288 |
$0 |
|
The Salvation Army |
$20,000 |
$6,000 |
|
Senior Citizen Services |
$4500 |
$1,350 |
|
Interfaith Older Adult Programs |
$8850 |
$2,700 |
|
Subtotal |
$29,200 |
$10,050 |
|
|
|
|
|
Non Public Service |
|
|
|
Reverse 911 notification system |
$67,150 |
$56,950 |
|
Thermal Imaging Camera |
$9000 |
0 |
|
Fire Station #3 / Veterans Park parking lot expansion |
$60,000 |
0 |
|
Legion Grounds Watermain Tap |
$$$ |
0 |
|
Subtotal |
$143,650 |
$56,950 |
|
Total |
$172,850 |
$67,000 |
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 uses these 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. The Council reiterated their interest in the project, and asked if the fact that the site was used by the Lion’s Club had any bearing on the eligibility. Discussions with Milwaukee County suggested that this would not make any difference. However, they suggested that if this is a project that the City feels strongly about they could submit it to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and they could make the final determination.
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.
The County has indicated that the 15% will be applied to projects at the local level this year, and that we should not apply for funds for public service uses in excess of the 15% limit. Given this limitation, the funds allocated for public service projects in 2008 will be substantially less than what was requested by the applicants.
These proposals were due to Milwaukee County on or before July 11, 2007. Milwaukee County has indicated that an extension to the July 11th deadline is appropriate, given the fact that the municipalities were notified so late in the process.
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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