Manager reports CDBG grant, Land Bank home‑repair grants and CRA interest; council accepts economic development quarterly report

Interim Manager Mister Lemon updated the Lincoln Heights Council on a range of economic development items at the Dec. 16 meeting, including grant awards, property activity under the community-reinvestment initiative and early infrastructure projects.

Mister Lemon reported that phase 1 of the village public Wi‑Fi system has been installed and is operational, and that the concession stand at Memorial Field is expected to go out for bid by the end of the year with construction anticipated in spring. He also said 11 properties in the CRA program are sold or pending and that developers have expressed interest in multiple lots on Adams and other streets.

On grants, Lemon announced, “we did receive a CDBG grant totaling $85,100 over '24, 25, and '26,” and said details on resident eligibility and application procedures will be released once testing and program rules are finalized. He added that the Land Bank home‑repair program for Lincoln Heights is slated to be activated in 2025 and will allow residents to apply for assistance up to $15,000; he described that assistance as a grant rather than a loan and said county staff will assess applications and award funds.

Councilwoman Laverne Mitchell presented the economic development quarterly report, which covered committee work to appoint members to CRA‑related commissions (including the housing council and the Tax Incentive Review Council), property listings posted to the village website, outreach to local businesses about a county façade grant, and discussion of a potential breakfast/lunch meeting for local businesses in 2025. The report also noted efforts to pursue Van Buren improvements (application to OPWC after a denied SORTA application) and the need to continue exploring rental‑property registration to capture missing tax dollars.

Manager Lemon briefly noted potential state legislation affecting the Police and Firefighters' pension (OP&F), describing a proposed employer contribution increase from 19.5% to 24% phased over five years and observing there was some resistance under consideration at the state level.

Council accepted the economic development quarterly report by motion and voice vote.

What residents should know - Public Wi‑Fi: Phase 1 operational; residents can look for an open network named "Lincoln Heights public WiFi" in their Wi‑Fi settings. - Land Bank home repairs: Program activation in 2025; eligible residents may apply for grants up to $15,000 (not a loan); full eligibility criteria to be released by county administrators. - CRA activity: 11 properties reported sold or pending; specific parcels cited included 923 Van Buren, 1011 Matthews, and 959 Congress.

Next steps: Village staff to post program details online and inform council when formal application windows open.