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• considered, he told Mr. Klick, might be "eligible public works activi- <br /> ties" which increase job opportunities for low and moderate income <br /> persons. An area or structure is considered "blighted" if obsolescence <br /> or decay can be proved to make it "generally below the standards of <br /> the community" . Mr. Isaacson told Mr. Marks the grant funds "could be <br /> used for code enforcement to bring structures or areas up to such <br /> levels. It was his understanding that the funds could be used to up- <br /> grade private property which serves low or moderate income families . <br /> An affirmative answer was given to Mr. Marks' query whether the funds <br /> could be used for a day care center to be located near several apart- <br /> ment complexes which house the low income families but qualified by <br /> Mr. Isaacson saying the funds could only be used for capital expendi- <br /> tures since "HUD seems more interested in brick and mortar than service <br /> related activities" . <br /> Some of the eligible projects being considered by other communities in <br /> Hennepin County include housing rehabilitation programs, land cost <br /> write downs for future low and moderate income housing projects, and <br /> some planning activities, Mr. Isaacson told the Board. <br /> The Board agreed with Mr. Fornell ' s suggestion that the funds might be <br /> used to provide a semaphore crossing on 37th Avenue N.E. , if such fund- <br /> ing has not already been secured by Ramsey County for that purpose <br /> when they proceed with the upgrading of that street and if Wilshire <br /> Park School: is to remain open. <br /> • Mr. Rymarchick wanted application made for the grant funds to provide <br /> future planning studies for the City of St. Anthony whether for an ex- <br /> pansion of the Comprehensive Plan required by the Metropolitan Council <br /> or used for the surveys which must precede the redevelopment of the <br /> St. Anthony Shopping area. Mr. Marks suggested such a survey could also <br /> be utilized to identify potential blighted areas of the City. He also <br /> wanted the eligibility of a day care center investigated as well as <br /> funding for building code enforcement, especially for the service area <br /> of the Equinox and Diamond 8 apartment complexes. <br /> There were no persons present to propose other uses for the grant funds <br /> and the Chairman closed the Public Hearing at 8 :12 P.M. <br /> -The Board then considered the question of the need for a Certificate <br /> of Occupancy as a necessary tool for assuring conformance to the City's <br /> Zoning Ordinance._ It was agreed that an ordinance would have to be <br /> passed to authorize the use of such a document. Instances of existing <br /> conditions in the City were cited as pointing up possible need for such <br /> a certificate should the occupancy change as well as past incidents <br /> where such a certificate might have proved useful in the past to force <br /> conformance to agreements reached when building projects were approved. <br /> Model ordinances and certificates used by other communities were con- <br /> sidered and there was a consensus of those Board members who were pre- <br /> sent that the staff should put together a Certificate of Occupancy <br /> (2) <br />