Sierra Vista council hears presentations from nonprofits and requests feedback on CDBG applications

City staff asked the Sierra Vista City Council on March 27 for feedback and direction on proposed uses for the city's estimated Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation for fiscal year 2025, which staff said is preliminarily estimated at about $250,000. The council did not make final funding decisions; staff said the council will hold additional public meetings and that HUD must approve a final allocation and the grant agreement.

"We're seeking your feedback and direction on the funding applications that we received for the upcoming program year," said Mister Matloff, a city staff member leading the presentation. He said staff typically allocates up to 15% of the grant for public services — about $37,500 under the current estimate — with the remainder used for public infrastructure and facility projects. Councilmembers heard presentations from six applicants and asked questions about project scope, costs and timing.

Catholic Community Services requested $59,969 for site hardscaping and outdoor amenities at four tiny homes planned adjacent to its domestic violence shelter (presented as Kaye Roper Apartments). Terrence Watkins, executive director of Housing and Medical Respite Services for Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, described the housing units as three two-bedroom units and one one-bedroom unit funded in part by a private donation of $857,396 and said the agency plans ongoing subsidies: "All of the units will receive a subsidy ongoing of 704 dollars a month. So that brings the rent for a 2 bedroom house down to $363 a month for the participants," Watkins said.

United Way of Sierra Vista requested $37,500 for emergency rent and utility assistance, employment help, a summer reading program at Carmichael Elementary and holiday food distributions. "We requested $37,500, of which the bulk will go to rent and utilities," said Dr. Anthony Reed, executive director of United Way of Sierra Vista in Cochise County.

Better Bucks (presenting a program called Better Work) sought funds for workforce and cleanup efforts; Council discussed that Better Bucks operates multiple programs including coupon-book fundraising, a meal-support program for students, and a crew that removes litter and works with people experiencing homelessness. St. Vincent de Paul asked for roughly $17,000 to $18,000 to repair and resurface a parking lot at its thrift store and food bank facility, which the presenter said supports food-box distributions and creates revenue to fund client assistance. The Cochise and Western Model Railroad Organization requested curb, sidewalk and drainage work to reduce flooding at its 680 Fourth Avenue property and to improve access for visitors and neighboring residents.

Staff recommended the city consider Lehi Roberts Park for an infrastructure project — repairs to a walking path and a splash pad leak fix that would convert the splash pad to a recirculation system — and noted the project could coordinate with planned streetscape work on Theater Drive. Council and staff discussed potentially reallocating previously saved funds to accelerate projects such as Fab Avenue improvements and the park path work.

Matloff emphasized the process is at an early stage: HUD has a 45-day review period after the city submits its action plan, and the city will hold two more required public meetings before finalizing the application. Council members thanked presenters and asked staff to continue outreach and return with refined budgets for the next hearings.