River Heights holds public hearing on CDBG application; HVAC upgrade for old school emerges as top candidate

River Heights held a public hearing Nov. 4 to gather resident input on whether the city should apply for federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Small Cities funding administered by the state and coordinated through the Bear River Association of Governments (BRAG).

Mayor Blake Scribe opened the meeting, saying the council is exploring CDBG funds and that the hearing is the first step in a multi-stage application process. Council member Chris Milbank told attendees that the grants finance a wide range of projects but that any project funded must principally benefit low- and moderate-income residents. Milbank said the program requires that about 51% of a project’s beneficiaries be at or below 80% of Cache County’s median income — roughly $62,640 under the figures discussed at the hearing — and cautioned that River Heights’ higher median household income (about $109,000) could make city‑only projects harder to qualify for.

Dwight, speaking on behalf of the Cache Valley Humanitarian Center, asked the council to consider using grant funds to upgrade the HVAC system at the city‑owned old elementary school. "We would like to suggest for your consideration that perhaps you would consider applying for funds to improve the HVAC system in the old elementary school," Dwight said, adding that the center intends to extend its lease and that improved heating and air conditioning would benefit the center’s clients and reduce long-term operating costs for the city.

Resident Noel Cooley urged the council to consider street and sidewalk repairs across River Heights, saying several streets show cracking and sidewalks are in poor condition. Tenant commenters including Bridal Cascio and Stacy Hansen supported the HVAC proposal, arguing upgrades would improve comfort for renters, lower energy costs and help sustain rental income for the city.

Council members and staff explained key practical details: the city must submit the application (it may sponsor another applicant), BRAG/state staff will help identify specific households or areas for the required income survey, and HUD has a preapproved list of some communities (referred to in the meeting as the CDP list) that can simplify the survey process. Milbank said BRAG’s 2025 regional funding pool was shown as about $700,000 on provided materials, with examples of prior awards including $50,000 for administration and $567,905 for single-family housing rehabilitation.

Attendees asked whether beneficiaries must live inside River Heights. Council members said eligibility depends on who benefits from the project and where they live; that determination will come from the application details and any required surveys. Staff gave a target deadline window for submission in December with a firm cutoff around Jan. 15, and attendees were told that awarded funds may not be available immediately — presenters referenced an approximate 18-month timeline from award to seeing funds in hand.

Council members noted BRAG staff coordinating the program are relatively new to the process and that some detailed questions remain unresolved. Multiple speakers encouraged the council to "test the waters" by applying for the HVAC upgrade as a first attempt and, if unsuccessful, pursue other applications in future cycles.

The public hearing ended with a motion to adjourn that was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Sources: Meeting transcript, Nov. 4, 2025 public hearing; materials provided by BRAG during the meeting.