Speaker 4, a neighborhood and business development staff member, told the board that the Block Challenge program is “1 shy of 200” applications and shows about $1,000,000 in anticipated project investment based on estimates provided by applicants. Speaker 4 said approved applications currently put the program “about $30,000 over the total amount that we have budgeted for the program.”

Why it matters: the program is meant to catalyze exterior home repairs and block-level improvements in priority neighborhoods; budget pressure now will factor into 2026 operating budget decisions and choices about which applications to prioritize.

Details: staff said more than half of applicants cleared to proceed and about 26 projects have reached disbursement or are ready for payment, a figure Speaker 4 said has been skewed upward by a few large projects such as full roof replacements. Staff described a standard planning assumption that per-property assistance is counted on the high side but that reimbursements are being managed so they do not exceed $2,500 per property in typical scenarios.

Speaker 4 estimated the program will not see more than about 50 completions this calendar year and said the approvals process has shifted toward clearing individuals rather than entire teams so permit pulls and reimbursements can be verified on a per-person basis. “At this point, we have been approving individuals,” Speaker 4 said, describing individualized notices to members of each team.

Maps and participation: staff presented maps showing property-condition scores, tax-delinquent parcels and code-violation layers and said participation has been stronger than expected in parts of the Tippill and Salt Springs neighborhoods. Staff noted a mislabel on one map but said resident participation and submitted applications were concentrated in specific corridors previously thought to need more time.

Community outreach and marketing: staff confirmed yard signs will go to properties that receive disbursements and that the city will use the SYR neighborhoods page for program marketing, resident spotlights and social media content. Board members urged expanded outreach to faith-based and neighborhood organizations to reach residents who may not attend neighborhood association meetings.

Board action: the meeting approved the minutes from the Nov. 13 meeting by voice vote; no specific funding reallocations or program rule changes were adopted at this meeting. The board moved and seconded a motion to adjourn later in the session; the motion passed by voice vote.

What’s next: staff said they will return with refined 2026 budget recommendations and a draft project list for council authorization, and will continue outreach and contractor/landlord engagement to finalize program pacing and eligibility.