City of Centralia City Council met Sept. 14.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
After providing due notice in the Centralia Sentinel Mayor, Herb Williams called the Project Application Public Hearing to order at approximately 5:30 pm. As per Senate Bill 2135 that amends the Open Meetings Act, the meeting was held and attended remotely via telephone conference. Mayor Herb Williams called the Public Hearing to order at 5:30 p.m. Attendance was taken of those attending.
City Council and Staff Members Present: Mayor Herb Williams; Councilman Howard Jones; Councilman Spanky Smith; Councilman Andre Marshall; City Manager Lowell Crow; Assistant City Manager/Economic Development Director Katie Plutz; and Kim Enke, City Clerk
Others present included James Patrick, SCIRP DC; Conner Wood, Reporter Centralia Sentinel; and Bruce Kropp, Reporter WJBD Radio.
Mayor Herb Williams, recognized James Patrick, Executive Director of the South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission, who assisted the City in preparing the CDBG grant request.
Mr. Patrick noted that the purpose of the public hearing was to provide interested parties with information regarding: (1) the amount of CDBG grant funds available to local governments; (2) the range of eligible public infrastructure program activities that can be undertaken with CDBG resources; (3) the estimated amount of CDBG grant funds targeted such that they will benefit low and moderate-income local residence; (4) the City's plans for minimizing involuntary displacement of individuals as a result of the implementation of this CDBG project; and (5) the discussion on the City's community development and housing needs. Mr. Patrick also indicated that the public hearing would be used to discuss the City's pending plans to submit a $125,000 Economic Development CDBG grant application to be matched with other funds secured by the private investment of $125,000 as well.
Mr. Patrick noted that, for the FY-2020 funding period, the State of Illinois, through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), expects to receive $29,192,836 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds, which in tum will be made available in the form of grants to qualifying non- metropolitan general-purpose units of government (i.e., villages, cities, townships, and counties) throughout rural Illinois. Mr. Patrick noted that the State's allocation of federal funds under the CDBG program was further subdivided into several "components."
Mr. Patrick noted that the balance of the State's total PY-2020 allocation would be retained by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide: (1) technical assistance to local governments; and (2) general administration of the CDBG program. Patrick noted that CDBG grant resources could support a diverse range of eligible activities with the specifics guided by the particular regulations for the program component in question.
Patrick noted that the CDBG Economic Development grant component has, as its priority, Economic Development – Local governments may request a maximum of $1,000,000.00 for gap financing to assist businesses locating or expanding in the community. Funds may be used for machinery and equipment, working capital, building construction and renovation, or improvements to public infrastructure that creates and/or retains jobs in the community that resources must be used in a way that will ultimately benefit low- to-moderate income individuals. This grant will be utilized for the acquisition of property to benefit at least 51% LMI Individuals. This will be a City grant application on behalf of Biocenosis Solutions Inc., in return for a $125,000 in private sector investment and five full-time equivalent jobs within two years. He noted that successful applications document that a complete and achievable project has been carefully thought out for which local efforts can be completed within no more than 24 months of the date of the State's award of the grant. Patrick shared that the draft application for the City of Centralia has project activities that fall well within the grant guidelines. Those in attendance were advised that all general-purpose local governments applying for CDBG Public Infrastructure grants must have their application submitted DCEO's offices in Springfield, Illinois, on September 30th, 2020, for funding consideration.
It was explained that as an outgrowth of earlier meetings with City of Centralia officials and the South Central Illinois Regional Planning & Development Commission, that Centralia City Council has elected to apply for an Economic Development grant for the amount of $125,000 based on $25,000/job. In return Biocenosis Solutions Inc. has agreed to invest $125,000 in equipment using private funds and hire five full time equivalent employees. Patrick provided a summary of the costs as follows: $125,000 for the real estate acquisition costs associated with the project, $125,000 in equipment costs. Patrick noted that the acquisition of property will not result directly or indirectly in the involuntary displacement of individuals from their current residential dwellings within the City.
The following Community Development needs were reviewed and reconsidered in order of priority; 1.) exploring opportunities for retention and expansion of existing commercial and agriculture-related businesses and locating additional firms; 2.) exploring financial alternatives to undertake public infrastructure improvements to support eliminate persistent health and safety threats; 3.) working closely with local area financial institutions and regional economic development organizations to promote small business development and available incentives and loan programs; 4.) attracting new businesses that are complementary to existing firms in the community; 5.) promoting employee training programs with Crossroads Workforce Investment Board and local school districts; 6.) promoting commercial and industrial development within the city based upon compatible land uses; and 7.) utilizing available programs to promote accessibility under ADA compliance standards.
The following housing-related needs were reviewed and reconsidered in order of priority; 1.) encouraging the development of a range of affordable housing for existing and projected needs of varying incomes and lifestyles; 2.) encouraging conservation of older residences and farmsteads and promoting programs for rehabilitation and improvements to meet minimum occupancy standards; 3.) enabling use of publicly- assisted housing programs for the economically disadvantaged; 4.) eliminating blight associated with residences and farmsteads to prevent further deterioration; and 5.) opposing influences that restrict free housing choice and opportunities caused by discrimination.
The Council determined that its previous Community Development and Housing Needs Summary accurately reflected City's goal and objectives and accepted them as is. The proposed use of CDBG grant funds for the project is considered to be consistent with the continuing priorities established by the City in the aforementioned statement of needs.
Prior to concluding the September 14th, 2020 public hearing, Mayor Herb Williams invited any interested individuals to express their observations or comments regarding the CDBG Economic Development grant proposal under consideration by the City of Centralia at this time. With no questions or further comments, Mayor Herb Williams formally closed the public hearing at approximately 5:43 pm.
https://cityofcentralia.org/vertical/sites/%7BFC680FE7-BE5C-4903-A103-67AF5EF51655%7D/uploads/09-_September_14_2020_Public_Hearing_Minutes_-_Biocenosis.pdf
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