Franklin board approves owner-occupied rehabilitation forms and grant administration contract

The Franklin City Board of Public Works and Safety on July 7, 2025, approved client forms for two homeowners (clients F and G) in the Franklin owner-occupied rehabilitation (OOR) program and authorized a contract for Grant Administration Services with Whitney Koehling.

Whitney Koehling presented the items and said staff had completed income verification for the homeowners. City staff and board members discussed program mechanics: Koehling and planning staff said applicants were notified during application that a one-year affordability lien would be placed on properties receiving assistance. Staff explained the program is funded primarily through federal and state grant sources with the Franklin Development Corporation providing a roughly 10% local match via redevelopment-commission grant funds that the board previously approved.

Board members asked about prepayments in the contract and whether those were allowable under the grant. Staff said the grant-funded professional services are front-loaded for meetings, income screening and administrative work and that prepayments reflected typical professional-services billing. The city attorney and staff confirmed required federal non-discrimination and contract disclosures are included in the agreement.

A motion to approve the client forms and the Grant Administration Services contract was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Implementation: Planning staff will continue income verification and eligibility screening; the Planning Department and the grant administrator will manage payments in accordance with federal grant rules and the one-year lien requirement.