Council approves application to IEDA for CDBG‑CV funding; New Visions says it is slated for a $300,000 award

The City Council voted to authorize the mayor to submit an application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for Community Development Block Grant COVID (CDBG‑CV) funding and to execute related contracts if the city is awarded funds.

During the public comment and study-session portions of the meeting, Brandy, executive director of New Visions, described how emergency shelter, street outreach and diversion funding have been used and how the proposed CDBG‑CV award would be applied. Brandy said the state allocation process had identified roughly $425,000 for the community and that Micah House would receive $125,000 while New Visions had been chosen for $300,000.

Brandy told council members New Visions had sheltered and helped place people into permanent housing and that a recent period of federal funds during the COVID years had allowed the organization to expand noncongregate sheltering and move high utilizers into stable housing. She said program data from Jan. 1 through early May 2025 showed hundreds of contacts and dozens moved into permanent housing.

Several council members expressed support for the front‑line work and for investments that improve public safety and reduce emergency calls, but some raised concerns about using grant dollars to cover operating costs and salaries. One council member urged that awards put more emphasis on direct client services and measurable deliverables rather than open-ended operating expense lines. Police and fire leaders told the council that New Visions’ recent hires and proposals for 24‑hour staffing and camera upgrades would reduce nighttime safety issues linked to frequent emergency responses.

After discussion the council approved the resolution authorizing application to IEDA. Council members and city staff said they will work with grant recipients to define deliverables and reporting expectations if the funds are awarded and appropriated.