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