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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-05 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Tuesday, March 5, 2013 5:15 PM City Council Chambers MINUTES Councilors: Chair Sprague, Joe Baldacci, Pat Blanchette, Pauline Civiello, Dave Nealley, Nelson Durgin, and Charlie Longo Staff: Rosie Vanadestine, Jeff Wallace, Jason Bird, Steve Bolduc and Norm Heitmann, The meeting was called to order by Chair Sprague at 5:15 p.m. 1. Executive Session – Economic Development – Land Disposition – 1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(C) A motion was made and seconded to move into Executive Session. A motion was made and seconded to exit Executive Session. 2. Committee Action on Above Item The Committee authorized the agreement to move to full Council on March 11, 2013. 3. Executive Session – Economic Development – Consultation with Legal – 1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(E) A motion was made and seconded to move into Executive Session. A motion was made and seconded to exit Executive Session. 4. Committee Action on Above Item The Committee position did not change from the last discussion. The Legal Department will follow up appropriately. 5. Quality of Life Committee Update Rosie Vanadestine gave a brief update on the Quality of Life process. All four committees have met and are getting organized. The City is hoping to recruit a few more members to participate on the committees. Other Councilors will also be assigned by Councilor Durgin to participate on the committees. Councilor Durgin and Councilor Civiello are the two Council representatives assigned to the Core Committee and other Councilors will be appointed to the Housing Resources, Community Safety and Economics/Employment & Education/ Training Committees. Councilor Civiello does participate on all four committees. 6. Community Development Block Grant Guidelines and Program Changes (see attached Memo) Rosie Vanadestine gave an overview of the changes to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Residential Rehabilitation Loan Program. The changes being proposed are to simplify the documents, tighten up the policies and align them better with HUD regulations.  New Competitive Grant Program for Non-Profits (see attached Draft Guidelines) Also introduced was a new competitive grant program for nonprofits. This program would allow the City to continue participating in worthwhile projects that meet the needs of the City while leveraging other funds. It is important to find ways to make our limited resources go further and with the continued cuts to federal programs it is vital to find ways to continue our programming. The City will have a letter of intent portion to pre-screen applications and then invite those that best fit our goals to apply. Our priority areas will include housing, homelessness and overcoming barriers to independent living and projects in our Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (Main- Third and Union-Buck). There will be an application process and a review committee that will score the projects to determine those non-profits that will be awarded grants. One of the important components will be the ability to demonstrate sustainability of the project after the grant funds have been used. The focus will also be on new projects and programs not existing ones. Councilor Nealley moved to have the staff recommendation to forward these changes and the new program to the full Council. Councilor Baldacci seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried. There being no further items for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00pm.