Minutes 02-27-08
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETING
HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH CITY HALL
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2008 @ 6:00 P.M.
Present:
Keturah Joseph
Gerone Powell
Gail Reynolds
Pam O'Brien
Reverend & Mrs. Sam Reed
R.M. Lee CDC
Boynton Beach Faith-Based CDC
PBC Resource Center (PBCRC)
Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (A VDA)
New Mount Zion Baptist Church
I. Opening
Octavia Sherrod, Manager of the Community Redevelopment Division, City of Boynton
Beach, moderated the meeting and explained the Community Development Block Grant
Program. Ms. Sherrod began the meeting at 6:06 p.m. and reminded those in
attendance to sign in. Self-introductions were made with the above individuals noted as
present:
II. Overview of CDBG Program
A. History
Ms. Sherrod explained this was the annual public meeting required by the Department
of Community Affairs (DCA) for the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) funds. The purpose of the meeting was to receive input and recommendations
on what the block grant dollars could be used for. The public hearing was advertised in
the Palm Beach Post, at least two weeks prior to the public participation meeting. Her
office sent letters to all in their database and all the local and community churches; to
previous sub-grantees, and various individuals who have contacted them in the past,
wanting information on the process. Due diligence was done to get the information out.
B. National Obiective
Generally, this meeting was the meeting to explain the program and she noted the
attendees were familiar with the process. The program activities were intended to meet
the following three national objectives:
. Benefit low and moderate-income persons
. Address slum and blight
. Meet a particular urgent community development need
Meeting Minutes
CDBG Public Participation Meeting
Boynton Beach, Florida
February 27, 2008
The anticipated allocation for 08/09 is $525,713 which was a decrease from prior years.
The 07/08 FY allocation was $543,483. The trend over the last three years showed the
funds have diminished. Of the $525K allocation for this year, 20% of the funds can be
used for administration costs by the City to carry out the program which amounted to
$105,142 total. Of that allocation, 15% could be used for public services or $78,856
total.
C. Eliqible Activities
In addition to the handout formally listing eligible activities, Ms. Sherrod explained there
was a balance of $341 ,714. Eligible activities were:
· Acquisition/disposition of land
· Land clearing
· Demolition of substandard structures
· Relocation assistance
· Code enforcement activities
. Housing rehabilitation.
Other activities were to supplement public services or mentoring programs. In the past,
funds were given to the Recreation Department to assist low income individuals with
after care and summer camp expenses. Public Facilities could be improved such as
streets and sidewalks in distressed areas. Funds could be used for job training and
employment such as what they have done with the PBC Resources Center which
assists start up businesses or assists with expanding them, or it could be used for fair
housing. They have assisted local non-profit agencies with housing and other social
service agencies.
Ms. Sherrod gave an example of what relocation assistance could be used for and
advised the school district purchased surrounding land for school expansion purposes
and the displaced homeowners will be assisted with relocation. Boynton Terrace used
CDBG funds to help defray moving expenses when the complex was demolished and
first and last month security was given to help obtain housing. Funds could also be
used for rehabilitation and major renovations requiring a temporary move until
renovation was complete.
III. Using Sub-recipients
There was brief discussion with Pam O'Brien, a sub-recipient representing AVDA, that
they were always relocating clients going into their shelter. Ms. Sherrod explained she
would have to review that in greater detail. She advised they like partnering with
different sub-grantees. An example was they have supported the Boynton Beach
Community Caring Center which receives funding from other sources such as Palm
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Meeting Minutes
CDBG Public Participation Meeting
Boynton Beach, Florida
February 27, 2008
Beach County, One such grant was an Emergency Shelter Grant. Ms. Sherrod
recommended before submitting their grant, they brainstorm for the best use of funds.
Gail Reynolds, PBC Resource Center asked if they would receive the application
package at this meeting. Ms. Sherrod responded the applications would be distributed
at the workshop on March 5, 2008. The workshop was added to the process and was
not a requirement. It served individuals/entities not familiar with the process; those
individuals being mostly first time applicants that had questions. It was not a required
workshop. If there are new programs, the workshop would be a good place to discuss
them. The purpose of this meeting was to receive input from the community to
determine the needs of the community.
Debbie Reamsynder, Community Redevelopment office, would email the application to
applicants or a hard copy could be distributed, depending on their preference.
IV. Public Audience
There were no comments received.
V. Adjournment
There was no further business and the meeting ended at 6:23 p.m.
~~~J4~
Catherine Cherry-Guberman
Recording Secretary
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