Sierra Vista reviews estimated $250,000 CDBG applications including tiny-home outdoor space, United Way and railroad drainage requests

City staff and nonprofit applicants presented to the Sierra Vista City Council on March 27 as part of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual-action-plan process, seeking council feedback on an estimated HUD allocation of $250,000 for the coming program year.

Staff said HUD has not yet issued an official allocation and that the city typically receives roughly $250,000; HUD limits public-services spending to 15% of an allocation, which staff estimated at about $37,500 under current numbers. The council was asked to provide tentative funding priorities and direction; no award or final decision was made. Staff said there will be additional public meetings in coming months and that HUD will have up to 45 days to review the submitted plan after it is forwarded.

Applicants and requests summarized:

- Catholic Community Services (Terrence Watkins) requested $59,969 in CDBG funds to create an outdoor common area for four tiny homes (the K Roper Apartments) sited next to the Francis House domestic-violence shelter. Watkins said the Bezos family donated $857,396 to purchase and install the four tiny homes and that the units will provide families fleeing domestic violence up to 12 months of transitional housing (an increase from the program’s current 120-day placement). Project costs shown to council included roughly $18,000 for masonry/hardscaping, purchase and installation of a 16-by-20-foot pavilion, commercial seating, lighting and fans, a commercial grill, and $25 per hour for 20 hours of project oversight. Watkins said ongoing subsidies of $704 per unit per month will keep participant rent at about $363 for a two-bedroom unit and $209 for a one-bedroom unit.

- United Way of Sierra Vista and Cochise County (Dr. Anthony Reed) requested $37,500 to help community members with rent and utilities, employment assistance, a summer reading program at Carmichael Elementary School, and food assistance when schools are out.

- Better Bucks / Better Work (Eric Peterman) requested approximately $26,000 (described at the meeting as funding for Better Work). Peterman said the organization operates several programs — coupon-book sales, volunteer cleanup crews that have removed about 30 tons of waste from public properties, and a Better Meals program to support school lunches — and that the $26,000 request is tied to the Better Work component.

- St. Vincent de Paul (Larry Powers) requested roughly $17,000 to resurface and make safer a parking lot that supports the organization’s thrift store, food bank and financial aid office. Powers said thrift-store revenue is a major funding source (he cited about $480,000 in sales last year) that in turn supports food distribution and emergency assistance; he told council the organization distributes food to an estimated 40,000 family members per year (noting some duplication in counts).

- Cochise & Western Model Railroad Organization (Robbie Craig) sought curb, sidewalk and drainage work at 680 Fourth Avenue to stop stormwater that has flooded the building since nearby commercial development changed surface flows; Craig said the flooding also affects a low-income trailer park to the north.

Staff recommendation and next steps: staff identified Lehi Roberts Park as the leading candidate for a city infrastructure project with the CDBG program, noting prior CDBG work in targeted LMI (low- and moderate-income) neighborhoods and the planned Theater Drive streetscape improvements. Staff proposed using a generic project description (Lehi Roberts Park improvements) for flexibility in allocating CDBG funds to splash-pad repairs, walking-path rehabilitation and other needed park work. The council provided general feedback and no formal votes; staff will hold further public meetings and finalize applications after HUD's allocation is announced.

No formal awards were made on March 27; council directed staff to continue the public-notice process and refine priorities for later public comment and a final city decision.