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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-03-15 95-142 RESOLVECODNCIL ACTION Date: March 15, 1995 Item No. � Item/Subject: Adopting Community Development Program Anti -Poverty Plan Responsible Department: Community and Economic Development Commentary: US Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations now require local governments adopt an anti -poverty plan as part of the consolidated planning and application process for Community Development Block Grant funds (CDBG). The proposed Anti -Poverty Plan identifies the City's policies and strategies to reduce the detrimental impacts of poverty. The Plan is scheduled to be reviewed by the Community and economic Development Committee at its meeting on March S. manager 'a Comments: Associated Associated I¢fonvati0¢: / Budget Approval: lox Finance Director Legal Approval: /edit S licitor Introduced For X_ Passage _ First Reading - Page___I_of_.L__ Referral ca-antip Assigned to C ilor Popper March 15, 1995 95-142 CITY OF BANGOR (TITLE.) Cgp((Iga Adopting Community Development Program Anti-Poverty Plan By We City Cwncil of the City ofllaapor: BEBDLVED, WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Bangor wishes to identify strategies intended to reduce the detrimental impacts of poverty on the citizens, quality of life and economic well-being ofBsngoq NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COTINCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR THATthe City ofB�CommunityDevelopment Anti -Poverty Plan, acopy of which is attached hereto, is hereby adopted IN CITY COUNCIL - 95-161 March 15, 1995 p E 5 0 L Y E Passed Adopting Core nity Development Program tt MCI -Poverty Plan. �a�aVeA�yj L�a r 95-192 CITY OF BANGOR CQNMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ANTI -POVERTY PLAN 3/95 Pte: The purpose of this plan is to identify strategies intended. to reduce the detrimental impacts of poverty on the citizens, quality of life and economic well-being of Bangor. : Poverty is the condition of being poor with respect to money, goods, es of subsistence. Those living n poverty have insufficient means and opportunities to make free and rational - choices with respect to the provision of themselves and their families with the basic physical necessities of food, clothing, and housing, and lack adequate access to the fundamental social services of health care, education, and social relationships necessary to the maintenance of a normal life style. 6TRATEGI89: Official policies, actions, and programs of the City directed at reducing poverty and its effects fall into four general areas. > sob cbeation and economic development; > Provision of housing and essential services; - > Development of mechanisms to deliver social services and make jobs accessible to these living in poverty or threatened by it; > Maintenance of a broad range of educational and training programs. 95-192 (rl City of Bangor Anti -Poverty Plan NOTE: Specific strategies, listed below, are followed, in parentheses, U , by action departments, divisions, and non-profit entities and districts in which the city i represented, is a member, appoints directors, or provides oversight or staff. The lead agency is underlined. Job creation strategies are designed to increase the availability of new jobs to persons living in, or threatened by, poverty who are able and willing to seek gainful employment on a permanent basis. General job creation strategies include: > Creation of a business climate which is conducive to the formation and growth of job -creating economic activity; > Development of municipal infrastructure which will support economic growth; > Promotion of Bangor as a state-wide growth center of economic activity; > Encouraging existing businesses to expand in Bangor; > Seeking businesses currently located elsewherewhich are looking for expansion opportunities; > Providing assistance in financing, market analysis, labor availability, employee training and identifying location options to new and expanding business; and > Pursuing the development of financing options useful to new and expanding businesses. 95-192 City of Bangor Anti -Poverty Plan Economic Development strategies act to develop physical infrastructure, quality of life, and governmental structures which are conducive to job creation, economic expansion, and business growth. Economic development strategies include actions to; o Insure that adequate land area, suitable for development, is available, through such means as. conscientious implementation and administration of the land use code and related ordinances (cone Enforcement and Planning Divisions); - Timely processing of applications for building permits, site plan review and site selection law approvals (Code FurorDement, Engineering and Planning Divisions); The acquisition, clearance, and assembly for resale or lease, properties which are inappropriately developed or under -developed, abandoned, derelict, contaminated with hazardous materials, or which are blight on their surroundings (Community and Economic Development Department); Timely disposal, for redevelopment, of tax acquired properties (Finance, Legal, Purchasing and 'community and Economic nevelonment Departments); and Sale or lease, for development, city -owned properties which are excess to the municipality's current and foreseen needs (Airport, Community and , Legal and Purchasing Departments and BaMir corporation). g5-143 16 - City of Bangor Anti -Poverty Plan > Maintain public infrastructure which is adequate to the existing and future needs of the citizens, institutions and business interests of Bangor, including: Streets, bridges and parking facilities which are safe, convenient and accessible (Engineering and by l'aSarvi exp o y^r); water, electrical and sewer utilities which are safe, reliable and available at reasonable cost (Public Services Department, Engineering Division, and Bangor water District); Convenient and economical access to all necessary, economical, and desirable means of communications including: digital telecommunications, Internet nodes, cellular phone and pager systems, radio phone, local cableaccess channel, and other emerging technologies (Engineering and Economic pgv3�lonmenr Divisions); Public transit adequate to meet theneeds of commuters (Planning and a Divi �i nnw andBACTS); Highway, rail, water, and air transportation adequate to travel and shipping needs (Airport, Community and EcQnQmic Development and Public Services Departments, and Engineering, Planning and Bus Divisions, and BACfS); Intermodal transfer facilities to facilitate movement of goods between truck, rail, water and air carriers, and the movement of passengers between automobiles, buses, planes, and (when available) rail (Airport, Engineering, and Community and Economic pment Departmenna, Planning and Bus Division, and BACPS). 95-192 �T(f `' ' City of Bangor Anu-Poverty Plan > pavelop and maintain governmental activities, structures and facilities which enhance the quality of life of Bangor citizens and, therefore, encourage and support a positive business climate, a healthy economy and an appealing community. These include: effective and professional law enforcement, traffic control, parking management, and security services which creates the image of a safe and hospitable community ); Fast, effective, well trained and motivated fire prevention, fire suppression, rescue and hazardous materials response services which protect life and property from injury and destruction (F.i= 2t2ar�) ; Comprehensive, caring and results -oriented public elementary and secondary education for all segments of the Bangor population (Bangor SCbnnl. Department); An extensive system of well-equipped and well- maintained parks and resource protection areas which offer citizens and visitors a wide variety of recreational, leisure time, fitness, sports and relaxation options. A wide variety of nal recreation opportunities whichreflect the four beacon climate with special emphasis on school cation activities, indoor and outdoor wintertime activities, and includes activities directed to the special needs of the very young, the elderly and persons with disabilities (Parke and Recreation 9apartment)r - A variety of entertainment, cultural, community and athletic events which appeal to all ages, life styles and tastes (Base park Oenartmgnt, Bangor State Pair, Parka and a n oenartment, Bangor City of Bangor Anti -Poverty Plan 95-142 ( 5, Center management Corporation, Bangor convention visitors Bureau, and Greater Bangor chamber of Commerce); Provision of health and essential life support services for low-income individuals, children, families, persons with disabilities, and elderly. These services ensure that no unemployed, underemployed, or unsble-to be -employed persons and their dependents are without adequate food, clothing, medical care, support and counseling, and shelter or housing (Health —dl'-eltre ne"'r_ tie S) ; A public library which offers to all citizens free loan of, or use of, a wide variety of books, reference materials, periodicals and publications, newspapers, audio/visual media, public documents, and historic records of general interest and benefit to the community ( bl' 'b ); A clean and healthy environment maintained by; * Garbage and trash collection on a frequent basis and disposal in a licensed land fill or incinerator (Eld,11c Services DeQ rtMO"); Collection of, and sale for reuse, recyclable materials (Public Services O n ent); • Primary and secondary treatment of sanitary wastes and the composting and recycling of sludge byproducts of the treatment process (Waste ielons); Prevention of combinedoverflows by separation of storm water runoff from sanitary sewers (bmainearina and Seval Div s); City of Bangor Anti -Poverty Plan 95-142 Cider * Protection of natural resources, areas of special value as natural habitat for wildl i£e, especially for threatened or endangered species, and areas of special scenic, historic or recreational value (Forestry and Planning Divisions and Parks and Recreation Department) ; + Inspection and enforcement of sanitation laws and regulations pertaining to food handling and sanitary conditions in eating and drinking establishments and food preparation operations (code Enforcement); + Prevention, detection and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, prevention and treatment of dental cariesn low-income children, and prevention of vaccine preventable diseases (Health and welfare Department) + Code enforcement of multi -family housing to identify, correct and prevent living conditions which are unfit for human habitation (cod mn�£nr__�r �me�ng). H99HSHH; Housing strategies seek to ensure the availability of safe, suitable uitable housing for all of the citizens of Bangor regardless of their race, color, religion,ethnic origin, primary language, familial status, disability, age, income; or political affiliation. Housing strategies fall into three general categories: > Conservation of the existing housing stock; 95-192 r City of Bangor Anti -Poverty Nan > -Expansion of affordable housing opportunities, principally for low and moderate income households; Provision of emergency shelter and transitional housing for individuals and households without permanent housing. Actions to conserve the existing housing stock are: > code enforcement activities designed to prevent, identify and cause to be corrected, unsafe, unsanitary, overcrowding, and unhealthy conditions caused by neglect, disinvestment, inadequate Maintenance, improper management, functional obsolescence, structural deficiency, or incompatible surroundings (Code. Fo�Divlaan); > Historic preservation activities designed to discourage demolition of historically and/or architecturally significant residential properties, and which encourage the maintenance and restoration of such structures(.gdC Enforcement pia s on and Historic Preservation commission); > Application of the Land Use Ordinance to discourage the conversion of residential properties located in residential districts to non-residential uses (code Enforcement niyi`); > Making available tax -acquired residential properties for sale for continued residential use (Legal Department and o,.eDd5d6g); and > Provision of low interest rehabilitation loans for the correction of code violations, energy efficiency improvements and general property improvements in residential unite owned or occupied by low and moderate income households (Community Demalonm=t envision). 95-142 p City of Bangor Anti -Poverty Plan Expansion of affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income households residing in Bangor is raged by means of the following strategies. Affordable housing is that which has a total shelter coat including heat and utilities of not more than 303 of the income of households with total incomes of not more than 803 of the median household income for the Bangor MSA. Provision of low interest rate loans for the rehabilitation of vacant residential properties, and the conversion to residential use of -residential properties located in districts permitting residential uses, principally for occupancy by low and moderate income households ( ); > Advocate the disposal, to the private sector, of excess government-owned and excess public housing authority - owned -residential units for sale, lease, or rental to low and moderatess households, and cooperatives or associations of low and moderate households (); > Advocate the increased availability of federal housing certificates and vouchers to be used by low and moderate income households to rent taxable residential units (Community and Economic Development ); > identify properly zoned, utility -serviced land suitable for the development of taxable housing for sale, lease o ental to low and moderate income households (PlanninQ Division); > Advocate the increased availability of low interest rate r deferred repayment financing for purchase of taxable housing for rental to, or ownership and occupancy by low and moderate income persona (Community and Economic Development Department); 95-192 (�/l City of Bangor Anti -Poverty Plan > Identify and zone for high density residential use, utility -serviced land suitable for mobile home parks and manufactured home subdivisions (code Enforcement and Pla nnim Divisions and Planning Board); > Site future utility extensions and essential services in locations where future affordable housing developmentcan be anticipated (Elanniiag and Engineering Divisions); > Allow sufficient flexibility in the land use e plan and code to accommodate innovative housing types and subdivisionswhich would lead to the development of taxable affordable housing (Code Enforcement and Planning Divie ons and Planning Board); and > Preference given to residents of Bangor in the as signment of public housing unite and rent Subsidies(ganger Housing Rn itv and Health and Welfare Department) - The partment)- The provision of emergency shelter and transitional housing for Bangor citizens without permanent housing involves the following strategies: - - Continued operation, and expansion as necessary, of the city's homeless and domestic abuse shelters to serve homeless households and individuals who are mot intoxicated or exhibit overt symptoms of substance abuse or mental illness (Health andWaltarc_aILKIMMUMWalt-_a1; operation and management of up to 60 units of City - acquired surplus military housing at Park Woods as transitional housing for homeless, or about to become homeless individuals who are expected to benefit from a range of social, educational and employment services aimed at preparing them for employment and permanent housing within a two year period (Health and Welfare Department); 10 95-142 O City of Bangor "ti Poverty Plan > Leasing of city -acquired surplus military housing tonon- profit - profit organizations which provide transitional housing and a range of relevant services to homeless individuals who are recovering from, or being treated for, substance abuse and/or mental illness (Health and Welfaree > Continued operation of the City- and State -funded General Assistance Program, which provides emergency funds for rent, food and essential services for persons who have insufficient income to adequately provide for the basic life sustaining needs of their household (Health and .:o�fsrna*tent); and > Continued cooperation and coordination between the City andnon-profit providers of emergency shelter, transitional housing, detoxication programs, substance abuse treatment, and related services, to ensure the best use of available resources and facilities to meet the needs of the homeless population withoutessary duplication of services (Health d Welfare Department) . SE&VICE DELIVERY1 Strategies to develop mechanisms to deliver social services and make jobs accessible to those living in, or threatened by, poverty include: > Continued support of a Family Self -Sufficiency Program to offer a range of social and job-related education and training services to recipients of federal Section's rent subsidies who are willing to commit to a 5 -year period of preparation for self-sufficiency and independence of federal welfare programs. Advocate the extension of funding and eligibility for this program to residents of public housing and other federally subsidized housing (B wonaina mKhari[v); 11 95-192 51• City of Bangor And -Poverty Plan > Provide intensive casea anagement, under the federal Shelter Plus Care Programto homeless persons recovering from, or being treated for, substance abase and/or mental illness (Health and 'elf re nepar�, participating non -profits); > Advocate that the State of Maine provide adequate funds for the development and operation of community mental health support services and treatment facilities to serve the needs of those mental health clients who are released from State Mental Institutions; > Provide Certifications of consistency with the CHAS and/or Consolidated Plan for applications for federal program funds to provide shelter, transitional and supportive housing and related services to homeless persons (Community nen lunment Di`r+_); > Continue to provide able recipients of General Assistance with work experience and on-the-job training within city goverment (Health and Mare nenarrment); > Advocate continued funding of federal programs which provide essential life-sustaining benefits to homeless persons, persons with work -disqualifying disabilities, elderly persona, lowincome families with dependent children, persons needing training for participation i the existing job market; persons with incapacitating illnesses, substance dependencies, and mental illness; and person who are experiencing joblessness due to employer -related actions such as downsizing, Iestructuring, business Slowdowns, business relocations, financial failures, declining market share, modernization, obsolete facilities or business practices, and implementation of new technologies (Community and i��nwv%ingdant Department); > Advocate continued funding of federal and state programa to provide job training to youth and adults who do not 12 95-142 rz, City of Bangor Anti -Poverty Plan possess appropriate skills to successfully compete in the existing job market (Community and Economic o Denary); > Monitor strict enforcement of immigration laws to ensure the availability of existing jobs for U.B. citizens Department)(Tommunity and Economic Dayeltammant ; The citizens of Bangor supporta very successful public school system which provides educational opportunities for students ranging from preschool to adults. The Bangor School Department has made major investments in the community's education infrastructure in order to ensure that students have the physical environment and equipment which will provide productive learning opportunities. The School Department also provides a variety of programs designed to meet the needs of students with special challengers. For ample, Bangor has been provided a Reading Recovery Program for students in need of special reading instruction. The Reading Recovery Programendorsed by the Governor of Maine and incorporated into Maines educational strategy. Other programs include a McKinney Act Program for homeless students and a Migrant Education Program. The School Department also offers a well utilized adult education program which provides continuing education and GED preparation opportunities. Bangor's efforts to achieve educational excellence have produced fine results. The system has a very low student to teacher ratio, a high graduation rate and very strong student scores in testing ranging from the Maine Educational Assessment Program to the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). 13' 95-142 City of Bangor Anti -Poverty Plan 'ft There are avaiety of training opportunities for residents of the Bangor area. The United Technology Center offers vocational programs for area high school students and Eastern Maine Technical College provides similar opportunities at the poet -secondary level in 15 different technical/vocational areas. The Training and Development Corporation provides training to over 1,500 full and part-time students in the area. This nationally recognized program operates a broad array of U.B. Labor Department sponsored programs including: The Job Corps program, a high school equivalency program and the regional Job Training Partnership Act. Furthermore, the University of Maine, Musson College and Beal College provide a great number of academic and technical education and training opportunities. It is clear that there are a wide range of institutions and programs available to those Bangor residents who desire to improve their skills. This anti -poverty plan and those individual policies and strategies contained herein are put in force by action of the City Council of Bangor and may be modified o eliminated in whole or in part by action of the council at any mime. Responsibility for implementation:. of this plan and the policies and strategies contained herein rest with the City Manager, or,r specific functional areas so indicated, with bodies, such asthe Bangor Housing Authority, Ban Air, Bangor Center Management Corporation, and Bangor Water District, whose directors are appointed by the Bangor City council, or which provide contract services to the City of Bangor. 14