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Committee removes duplicate CDBG ordinance from calendar and recommends council approve FY2025 CDBG application
Summary
The committee voted to remove an ordinance that would have required monthly CDBG steering-committee meetings because the mayor's ordinance already codifies that requirement, and it recommended that the full council support the city's FY2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) preliminary application, which is due April 14.
The Economic and Community Development Committee on March 14 voted to remove an ordinance from its calendar that would have required monthly meetings of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) steering committee, and the committee voted to recommend that the full city council support Gardner’s preliminary FY2025 CDBG application.
President Tyrus explained that a mayor-submitted ordinance codifying the CDBG program already included a procedure for monthly steering-committee meetings and a bypass provision when no update is required, making the proposed committee ordinance redundant. "Because of this redundancy now and this no longer be relevant with the, council passing that ordinance, I'd like to move to remove item 11457 from our calendar," Tyrus said. The motion to remove the item was made by President Tyrus and seconded by Councilor Keith; the committee voted in favor and the motion passed.
The committee then reviewed the city’s preliminary FY2025 CDBG application. Assistant Director (unnamed) said the city is a mini-entitlement jurisdiction (population under 50,000) and applies through the Commonwealth’s Department of Housing and Livable Communities. The assistant director outlined program rules in broad terms from the application: up to 15% of CDBG funds may be used for social services, the grant allows up to three infrastructure improvement projects in an application, and administrative costs such as salaries and reporting may be covered. The assistant director said staff and the steering committee have prepared a list of proposed projects and that the state program representative is reviewing the packet.
The mayor (unnamed) clarified process and timing: the preliminary application is submitted now and final awards typically arrive in October; if awarded, staff will return to council to advance projects and contracts. The assistant director reminded the committee that the application is due April 14; several committee members praised the steering committee’s renewed activity and the packet of proposed projects.
President Tyrus moved to recommend that the full city council support the resolution in favor of submitting the FY2025 CDBG application; Councilor Keith seconded the motion. The committee voted in favor and the motion passed by voice vote.
Committee members highlighted several projects included in the packet, including downtown Phase 5 improvements for Rome Square and social-service proposals to support veterans, children’s programming and emergency housing services.
