Cayuga County Legislature approves resolutions to apply for bridge-replacement and housing-study grants

President Schaff said Tuesday the legislature would consider two last-minute resolutions authorizing grant applications with an Oct. 10 deadline: one to seek funding to replace the Doval Island bridge and the other to commission a regional housing market study.

The resolutions, as presented, would only authorize staff to apply for the grants and would not itself commit county funds. "These are resolutions to apply for the grant, nothing more," President Schaff said when introducing the items.

County staff explained the bridge application could seek roughly $403,000 from a capital account and that timing could determine whether ARPA or other sources would be needed if state awards are delayed. Carrie, a county staff member who responded to legislators' questions during the discussion, said the state plans to announce awards before the end of the year and that the county would know by mid to late December whether it received either grant.

On the housing market study, Carrie said the total project cost is $150,000 and the grant would cover $100,000 of that amount. She said the county has a firm $20,000 commitment from the Auburn Housing Authority and is pursuing additional foundation support to cover the required match. "We have a firm commitment of $20,000 from the Auburn Housing Authority, and we have been requested by 4 different foundations and agencies to present to them," Carrie said.

Several legislators sought clarification that the resolutions did not dedicate county money. Mark Strong asked directly whether the county was committing funds; Carrie and President Schaff confirmed the resolutions themselves did not dedicate county dollars. One legislator noted that the bridge project could require a 20% local match if the county ultimately accepts the award.

After discussion, a motion to place both resolutions on the table as a bundle was made and seconded. There was a voice vote; the legislature approved the resolutions. A county staff member noted contingency plans to reallocate other capital projects if state awards do not arrive in time.

What the resolutions do: they authorize staff to submit the two grant applications (bridge replacement at Doval Island and a regional housing market study). They do not obligate county funds; staff said the housing study match is expected from non-county sources and that the bridge project match would be identified if the award is made.

Next steps: staff will submit the applications before the stated deadline and will report back to the legislature when awards are announced or if matches must be identified from county budgets.

Votes at the meeting: the bundled motion to place the two resolutions on the table and proceed with application was approved by voice vote (recorded as "Aye"). No formal roll-call tally was provided in the transcript.