1980 10-09
Special Meeting Community Block Grant - Meridian City Council October 9, 1980
Mayor Glaisyer called Special Meeting to order for the purpose of the Community Block
Grant Pre-Application selection at 4:32 p.m.
Councilmen present: Richard Williams, Grant Kingsford, Bill Brewer, Rick Orton Jr.
Others attending: Elizabeth Ryan, Nathalie Aland, Jim Ryan, Dorothy Rice, Annie Jones,
Nell Buskey, Ethel Carpenter, Agnes N. Clark, Bertha Mabey, Bert Gile,
Gertrude Berglund, Lena Moreland, Art Himerich, Maryann Himerich,
Verna Sands, Ray Sotero, Bernie 4!ilson, Guy Southwick, Edith Crockett,
Oma Jenkins, Wayne S. Forrey, Larry Sale, Dee Slack.
Mayor Glaisyer: "The public hearing is closed for the testimony to determine what we will
do with the funds, if we get them, to either build a Senior Citizens Center or rehabili-
tate part of the older section downtown area water and sewer. Before the Council cast
their vote on hour they feel this money should be spent - again, if we are allocated this
money - I want to make certain everyone on the Council is aware there is no conflict of
interest. Do you feel comfortable Rick?"
Orton: "Yes, I've consulted an attorney."
Glaisyer: "I will turn this over to Wayne Forrey."
Forrey: "I can simply state there is two ways to look at this situation. HUD has basic-
ally two ways for evaluation of application. There`s programs in terms for Community
impact and for neighborhood impact. This afternoon you are trying to evaluate two
different situations - the Senior Citizens Center even though it has merits to many people,
it would have to be evaluated on a community wide basis. The rehabilitation opposed,
whether it be physical improvements to the home or water and sewer service lines would be
evaluated on the neighborhood basis, and each of those would be evaluated differently by
HUD. The neighborhood rehabilitation scores much higher because the benefit is directly
to the low-moderate income citizens in that neighborhood. On the community wide level
you would take the percentage of low-moderate income citizens and that would be the orogrart
benefit. In a situation like this, in the target neighborhood for example, 89% of all
Senior Citizens in that neighborhood are low-moderate income level. On a community wide
basis, when you count in all other citizens in the community, the percentage drops sub-
stantially. The higher that percentage - the higher the points it gives toward the anpli-
cation. There's not enough money that every project can be funded so they have come up
with a competitive system to evaluate those projects that have the most need for the citi-
zens. Another potential problem that may come up for the Senior Citizens Center is the
cost. If the cost would come up A300,000,and this grant A200,000 available, this addition-
al $100,000 has to come from somewhere. HUD would not approve a project knowing there was
$100,000 that has to be raised, a guarantee - letter of credit, a bank draft, a cashiers
check or some assurance to FIUD. This other $100,000 at the time of application could be
raised. We have learned from experience that these things have to be out into order in
order to get the anplication approved - there has to be firm commitment."
Orton: "As far as target croup, didn't the seniors meet a target group?"
Forrey: "We did contact HUD because that is an important ouestion. They determined that
the Senior Citizen facility would have to be computed on a community wide basis rather
than a target basis, even though the majority of the elderly live in that neighborhood -
the impact would have to go on a community wide basis."
Orton: "In the past they have allowed senior groups to be used in that target basis."
Forrey: "That may have been in the past, but we did get clarification on this."
Orton: "Did you make any effort to negotiate that point with the regulatory agencies,
bring them in line with that point. I think we can perform, we can meet that 51%."
Forrey: "No, we did not negotiate, simply because we went to the top of HUD in Portland
and he indicated that this was the way this application would be evaluated. So we did
not feel we were in the position to negotiate - it was simply stated, 'No, you would have
to compete on a community wide basis'. Citizens from the outside target area would be
using the facilities - housing rehabilitation would be only in the target neighborhood."
Kingsford: "Are there others competing for it?"
Forrey: "As of last week, Garden City has indicated they are not seeking this grant. I'm
not sure about Eagle, they do not have a high enough percentage of low-moderate income."
n
u
~ecial Meeting Community B1
Orton: "On the water-sewer project, as I understand it, that's to be a rehabilitation
project infthe old Dart of town and it is to involve construction on private property -
is that correct?"
Forrey: "That is correct."
Orton: "How does the City project itself with public works construction on private
property?"
Larry Sale (J-U-B Engineer): "It arould be the same situation as in housing rehabilitation
where the City is sponsoring projects, which are taken on to upgrade personal property.
There are certain safeguards already prepared for City liability - we have cities all over
Idaho that are using this program."'
Orton: "Do we disperse the money to private property owners to have their services fixed?"
Forrey: "The City would obtain a list of qualified contractors, ,you would submit a bid
sheet to each of those contractors on a bid basis, each would come back, you select and
inform them to do the work, they do the work, the City inspects the work to insure it's
done properly and then payment is issued to that contractor. The only inconvenience to
the homeowner is that there is going to be a backhoe in their yard, the homeowner has a
say when it will be done. They do not get involved with the payment and they cannot
select the contractor.. The decision is the City Council's and a clean process,"
Orton: "The 215 oamers, have they agreed to this construction?"
Forrey: "We have indicated to IIUD there are 215 qualified homes in this low-moderate
income in this need area that have an infiltration problem. If the citizen does not wish
to have this done, the City does not have to force - it is merely a voluntary program.
It is highly unlikely that any citizen would not want to participate - any trees, shrubbery
or lawn would be replaced, but it is a voluntary program. And the work would be done to
the extent that the money is used up. So the City might want to establish a priority,
start with senior citizens first, rehabilitate their water and sewer lines first - then
single female head of households next, or handicapped citizens first, whatever the Council
desires."
Orton: "How are we going to administer that program. It has been stated that J-II-B isn't
going to be involved after the application, they said there wasn't going to be any engi-
neering fees, I assume we are going to administer those 215 construction projects - who
have we got?"
Glaisyer: "You are the Water Commissioner!"
Orton: "Well, we don't have anybody if that was the question."
Glaisyer: "We know where all the lines are that have to be replaced - we put it out to
bid, the contractor notifies the people themselves and get the job done."
Williams: "We would do the inspections regardless of who was administering the contract
and I think with the inspections themselves, will take care of 90% of the administration.
I would assume it would be the job of the Council to waive the fee of the inspections,
obviously. But Bruce would inspect the water, Earl the sewer, as on a new home. Then
when it was determined it was done, this would answer to that specific portion."
Williams: "I would like to make a two part motion on this situation. I know the Citizens
Advisory Committee has spent a lot of time on this project and has weighed this very
heavily. Better than half of the committee were senior citizens and they did come up with
a recommendation that we pursue the water and sewer rehabilitation project. Being that
this advisory council was formed for this purpose, and I feel tfiat they did do their
homework, they did do a very honest and tough job, that I would move that the City Council
as a project that the City would take the water and sewer rehabilitation as so recommended
by the Citizens Advisory Committee."
Kingsford: "Second."
Mayor Glaisyer: "The Motion has been made and seconded to proceed the grant in attainment
of funds for sewer and water rehabilitation in the old town. All those in favor?"
Kingsford: "Aye." Williams; "Aye." Brewer: "Aye."
Glaisyer: "Opposed?"
Orton: "Nay."
i11~~:.ri:.a~.... _ ._. _ _ - .. al
aecial Meetini
October 9. 1980
Glaisyer: "Motion Carries."
Copy of Recommendation to Meridian City Council regarding Nl1D Block Grant - October 6,
1980, on file with these minutes.
Williams: "My second motion, I would move that the City Council form a senior citizens
advisory committee directly responsible with the Mayor and City Council. This committee
shall be appointed by the senior citizens of Meridian with at least one Counsel appointed
by the Mayor to act as a direct liaison between the Councel and the Mayor, The primary
function of this advisory committee would be as follows:
1. To explore and prepare plans for a possible Senior Citizens Center, and inclusion
of this project, in a grant during the next fiscal year or sooner if we can.
2. To recommend to the Council, land for a Senior Citizens Center, so that this
problem is taken care of ahead of time and not a catch up basis.
3. To evaluate and explore the possibility of senior citizen housing within the
Meridian area, and to work with potential contractors to come back to the City
for this also as a possible aroject. A gentleman that comes to mind is LeRoy
Atwood who has talked with myself and Joe, and I think some of the other Council-
men over the last year - has built the .senior citizens center in Caldwell and
has expressed a very strong interest in this area. i realize this is a wordy
motion, but I would so move."
Brewer: "Second."
Mayor Glaisyer: "There's a motion to form a Senior Citizen Adivsory Committee, directly
responsible to the Mayor and City Council, committee is to be appointed by the senior
citizens of Meridian, with at least one Councilman to be appointed by the Mayor to act as
a liaison to the Council and the Mayor, this Councilman will act in an adivsory capacity
only; the objectives would be as follows: Prepare plans for a possible Senior Citizens
Center; Recommend to the. Council a site land for the center and evaluate the possibility
of senior housing. All those in favor?"
Williams: "Aye." Kingsford: "Aye." Orton: "Aye." Brewer: "Aye."
Glaisyer: "Opposed?" done
Glaisyer: "Motion Carries."
Glaisyer: "At this time, I'll appoint Bill Brewer to act as liaison."
Brewer: "I'll be happy to do it."
Orton: "I would like to point out, as the last meeting, we do have some land available.
Are we extending either or both of those as options to this committee to investigate as
sites. Are they sites that they can investigate as sites and can feel they can come back
and request."
Glaisyer: "Absolutely."
Williams: "If they want to come back and look at City Hall, as far as I'm concerned, they
can come back with that recommendation too.Thdy~have carte"bbanc he' ap'por't'nity arxlhelp from
the City to explore and I don't think the,v should leave any stone unturned. And I have
been with Dee for five years trying to get money for a senior citizens. The first motion,
let me tell you, was tough for me, but we have worked a long time and we wi11 get it,"
Glaisyer: "I would like to thank the Senior Citizens Adivsory Lommitte and the senior
citizens for their input - I would like to see you come before the Council more often to
give us your information. Thank you very much."
Dee Slack, Agency for the Aging: "I would like to thank you for your time on all these
meetings and in behalf of the agency that I've learned something workiri4 cFdsely with local
government such as yours, and not go against the kind of things you are trying to do.
If there is a way I can help, please call. I am sure the majority of the senior citizens
want to work with City government as it has been proved that is where the success is -
when we all work together."
Glaisyer: "Thank you."
Special Meeting Community Block Grant .4. October 9, 1980
The Motion was made by Kingsford and seconded by Orton to adjourn special meeting at
4:50 p.m.
c: Mayor
Council
Clerk
Bruce
E+at^1
~Gibizens Advisory Committee
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