Laserfiche WebLink
City Council Minutes <br /> July 2, 2019 <br /> Page 2 of 8 <br /> ----------------------------- <br /> 4. Open Forum <br /> Maury Graham, 5988 North Sluetter Road, Pequot Lakes addressed the Council. <br /> Mr. Graham stated that the application of calcium chloride has not been made <br /> yet this year to North Sluetter Road. He stated if it is applied correctly it should <br /> have a six month life span but it has been three months into the dust season and <br /> they are still without a calcium chloride application. Mr. Graham stated Loon Lake <br /> Township is in charge of the contract and would like to know why the City is not <br /> taking charge of the calcium chloride contract. <br /> John Derksen, 31116 Ash Street, Pequot Lakes, addressed the Council. Mr. <br /> Derksen received a letter from the City to thank him for erecting a fence for <br /> screening and he is being charged $50 for a permit for a fence he was ordered to <br /> do. Mr. Derksen would like the fee waived and he would like a letter from the City <br /> Council stating this issue is done. <br /> 5. Presentations <br /> 5.1. Small Cities Development Proqram <br /> Jennifer Bergman and John Schommer from the Brainerd and Crow Wing County <br /> Housing and Redevelopment Authorities presented information on the Minnesota <br /> Department of Employment and Economic Development(MN DEED) - Small <br /> Cities Development Program for the Council's consideration. This Program helps <br /> cities and counties with funding for housing, public infrastructure, and commercial <br /> rehabilitation projects. The project must meet one of three federal objectives: <br /> benefit low to moderate income families, eliminate slum and blight, or eliminate <br /> an urgent threat to public safety or health. MN DEED receives appropriations <br /> from HUD annually for this Program, last year the state received $18.5 million. <br /> Cities with fewer than 50,000 residents are eligible for this funding which the City <br /> of Pequot Lakes meets. The fund has two different types of grants: <br /> Comprehensive Purpose Grant and a Single Purpose Grant. The Comprehensive <br /> Grant means two things are being done: owner occupied and renter occupied <br /> housing rehabilitation or commercial and owner occupied rehabilitation. The <br /> maximum amount for a Comprehensive Grant is $1.4 million. The Single Purpose <br /> Grant is for one of the rehabilitation projects and the maximum available is <br /> $600,000. These grant are very competitive. Applications for these grants are to <br /> be submitted to DEED. A pre-application or preliminary proposal is made and is <br /> due in November. The applications are then ranked by high, medium, or not <br /> competitive. Highs and mediums are welcomed to apply for the full application in <br /> February 2020 with awards in May or June 2020. Funds are typically available <br /> July 1 St of 2020 or when Congress appropriates funds; last year appropriated <br /> funds were available in October, 2020. <br /> Ms. Bergman stated this is a labor intensive program for HRA staff as a survey in <br /> a defined target area needs to be done before the pre-application can be <br /> submitted. The survey helps to determine how many peopte are eligible in the <br /> area. John Schommer is the rehabilitation coordinator and once the grant is <br />