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Director Beard summarizes National League of Cities takeaways: grant access, housing tools, veterans outreach
Summary
Director Phyllis Beard told the Hot Springs City Board about contacts and resources from the National League of Cities conference, including federal contacts for stalled grants, zoning ideas for redevelopment, veterans outreach options and the Housing Supply Accelerator resources.
Director Phyllis Beard reported to the Hot Springs City Board of Directors on March 18 about her recent attendance at the National League of Cities (NLC) Congressional Cities Conference in Washington, D.C. Beard summarized practical contacts and tools she said the city could use to access federal grant funding, address illegal dumping and pursue redevelopment, and support veterans.
Beard said an NLC grant workshop convened attendees from municipalities nationwide grappling with delays and hold-ups in federal funding. She said an official from the U.S. Department of Transportation provided direct contacts to help Hot Springs follow up on a building, street-extension and sidewalk/trail project that has experienced funding hold delays. “The squeakiest will get the oil,” Beard said, urging proactive follow-up to draw down awarded funds.
On local redevelopment, Beard said she discussed illegal dumping in her district and said Jeff Boney, chair of the Community and Economic Development Federal Advocacy Group, recommended community surveys, zoning changes to a planned development district for mixed uses and using drug forfeiture funds for targeted enforcement tools such as cameras. Beard identified the East Side near Chattanooga Park as an area she mentioned for potential redevelopment.
Beard also described conversations about veterans services. She said NLC staff provided a veterans crisis line and could help deploy a mobile Vet Center and local representatives to connect veterans to counseling and transition services. Beard said she had already forwarded the contact information to a local staffer.
On housing, Beard described NLC and the American Planning Association’s Housing Supply Accelerator resources and tools for identifying federal and state funds—she said these resources and the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act programs could help the city address affordable housing shortages. She also summarized an NLC leadership training opportunity, noting the course carries a fee but that the city may be able to secure a reduced rate.
Beard closed by saying a keynote speaker received a strong response from the conference audience and that the NLC reminded attendees that local elected officials “are the most important elected officials” in addressing municipal challenges. Beard recommended the board follow up on the federal contacts and resources she described.
Board members asked no clarifying questions at the time; the report was received for information.
