Mark Moder, the city’s community and economic development director, told the Newark City Council that the city was awarded a $3,600,000 lead hazard control grant and outlined how the program will operate.

“It's a $3,600,000 lehi public control grant,” Moder said, and explained the program will fund testing and remediation for low‑ and moderate‑income owner‑occupied and rental properties across a city target area that includes downtown and surrounding older neighborhoods. He said priority will be given to families with children 6 and under and to homes where young children or caregiving grandparents might be exposed.

Moder described the steps: the city will evaluate homes, develop a work plan based on testing, and perform hazard controls such as window, door, and siding work when lead hazards are identified. He said the department will coordinate with the property maintenance department, the Licking County Health Department, and Licking County Community Action Agency to administer the program.

Nut graf: The grant, Moder said, combines health protection and neighborhood beautification by replacing building elements that commonly contain lead paint and by targeting neighborhoods with older housing stock; the transcript does not include the grant source agency name beyond a "lead hazard control grant" or a detailed schedule for individual projects.

Council and staff remarks emphasized outreach and eligibility. Moder said both low‑income homeowners and rental property owners qualify and that the city’s informational pamphlet explains testing, program eligibility, and how families can enroll. He told council the program “focuses on the areas where the older housing stock is” but that the entire city falls within the target area for outreach.

No formal council vote or appropriation for related matching funds was recorded during this portion of the meeting.