Council_Minutes_1977_01_17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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January 17, 1977 Page 2 Councilmember Rowley stated that the need for storm drainage improvements is still there and a city priority. She stated that the Council should not ignore the possibility of securing federal funds to help finance drainage improvements. She suggested that the Council still would have an opportunity to decide not to go forward with the project even if the grant is approved. Administrator Achen stated that the Council has justification for not plunging into the storm drainage improvement project. He indicated that the storm drainage plan still must be reviewed and approved by the Rice Creek Watershed District before work begins and an environmental assessment will be necessary for the project. If the Council felt like applying for funds to meet Need 2 as established in its 1976 CDBG application, it would be justified in postponing applying for this project until these reviews and approvals have been obtained. Representative Howard Neisen stated that most of the Council's discussion has assumed the City would receive a grant which actually is not a very good possibility considering the number of cities that are competing for the money. He stated that acquiring land for the storm drainage detention basins now would benefit the City in its future storm sewer improvement projects, whenever they are begun. Councilmember Ziebarth asked whether the city has satisfied Need 1 as established in the 1976 CDBG application. Administrator Achen responded that Need 1 deals with programs to upgrade and maintain housing conditions in the city. He indicated that the current CDBG program would be completed this calendar year, but that the City will have an ongoing program in the housing code enforcement area. Thus, the need still exists. However, the City is conducting activities designed to meet that need. Councilmember Ziebarth proposed that since Need 1 is no longer a top priority, that Needs 2 and 3 be moved up in priority. He suggested that the City secure funds to begin implementation of the storm drainage plan. Councilmember Baumgartner questioned whether the actual items included in the City's 1976 CDBG application might not be considered luxurious and meet with less approval by HUD. He suggested that the shelter buildings could be tied to city programs serving the needs of low and moderate income persons and thus an application for these types of improvements might be found more favorable by HUD. Mayor Pickar asked Administrator Achen to prepare a rough draft of needs based upon Council's discussion for the January 24th public hearing. He stated that this draft would assist the Council in making its final determination of needs and objectives and would help citizens by giving them some ideas to which they could react. MSP Ziebarth- Baumgartner) to adjourn at 8:25 p.m. Rese ctfu1ty submitted, (z/uctAa Mark Achen, Clerk- Administrator 5 ayes