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Council hears GCRA annual plan, adopts preliminary CDBG/HOME allocations and appoints trustee for stadium bonds
Summary
The council heard a presentation from the redevelopment authority on CDBG and HOME programs and approved a preliminary allocation package administered through GCRA. Council also voted to appoint US Bank as trustee for stadium revenue bonds; residents urged more enforcement of short-term rentals and requested traffic-calming measures.
The city council heard a presentation from Francis Warren Baez, program manager at the redevelopment authority, on the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority's (GCRA) annual action plan and preliminary funding estimates and then adopted a resolution allocating Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds administered through GCRA.
"My name is Francis Warren Baez. I'm the program manager at the redevelopment authority," Baez said during the public hearing, laying out the authority's mission to finance affordable housing, rehabilitation and public services across the county. He described the primary federal funding sources the authority manages, including the community development block grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and explained that eligibility prioritizes projects benefiting low- and moderate-income households.
Staff presented preliminary local figures: a city allocation "just over $233,000" in combined CDBG and HOME funding based on prior-year estimates. The staff summary listed a CDBG city allocation of $134,172 with approximately $23,000 in program income, and a HOME city allocation of $45,648 with roughly $31,000 in expected program income. A draft breakdown included about $115,000 earmarked for infrastructure improvements, $10,000 for facility improvements, $10,000 for demolition, and $19,500 for public service programs. Baez told the council the numbers are preliminary and that the final allocations will depend on HUD's award and could be adjusted.
Council members moved and approved a resolution reflecting those allocations by voice vote. The record shows the package was presented for council consideration and the assembly "said aye" to adopt the resolution; the council then advanced other finance items.
Separately, council approved a resolution to appoint US Bank Trust Company as trustee for a tourism facilities revenue bond associated with the stadium financing. Staff explained the appointment is a standard step after a winning bond bid and is being done pursuant to the city's bond ordinance.
Baez said GCRA will post the annual action plan and accept public comments through March 27 and emphasized that the authority regularly adjusts line items to match project needs. "These are budgeted line items. The line items can move around," he said, adding that staff will follow up on requests for additional program detail.
The council also used the meeting to receive routine city reports and construction updates on projects such as Jenkins Street, a new railroad crossing and Bridgeway Station stadium preparations. No further action on those items was taken at this meeting; staff indicated they will return with more specifics as projects progress.
