Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Paint Repair Grants topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Landmarks Commission reviews 2025 paint-repair grants and new eligibility rules tied to CDBG
Summary
City staff reported $25,000 allocated for paint repair grants in 2025, about $18,600 disbursed and $6,432 pending; staff explained new eligibility rules that remove area-based census-tract limits and require spot slum-blight designations for individual properties receiving funds, and recommended earlier SHPO and environmental review documentation.
Charlie, a city staff member, summarized the Landmarks Commission’s 2025 paint-repair grant program and upcoming procedural changes tied to federal CDBG requirements.
Charlie said the commission had $25,000 in the 2025 grant fund plus $350 carryover and had dispersed roughly $18,600 so far; about $6,432 remains contingent on two projects finishing. “Landmarks Commission paint repair grants are an increasing scale of roughly 15% of the cost of a project up to a maximum of $3,000,” Charlie said.
County monitoring of the program found it largely compliant but recommended two operational changes: verify contractor eligibility through a contractor-exclusion database and document completion of work via inspection or photos rather than relying solely on paid invoices. Charlie said he will try to obtain SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) documentation and environmental-review materials before meetings going forward when feasible.
Charlie also described a material eligibility change: the program can no longer be strictly area-based (tied to low/moderate-income census tracts). Instead, any historic property in the city may be eligible, but the commission will need to undertake a spot slum-blight designation on properties being awarded grants. Charlie said spot designations use a narrower standard than area slum-blight designations and are intended to address specific physical conditions that threaten public health or safety.
Commissioners questioned whether the annual $25,000 allocation should be increased or adjusted for rising construction costs; staff noted the city’s CDBG allocation is administered by the county and that the commission can request a larger share of city-allocated CDBG funds in future cycles. Jeff, from the Redevelopment Authority, noted complementary loan programs (rental and homeowner rehab loans) exist for larger projects and that funds and timing can be coordinated to help property owners complete substantial repairs.
Charlie said staff will circulate updated application language and additional guidance to applicants so award conditions are clear under the revised eligibility rules.
