Alvo trustees unanimously approve $260,000 CDBG application to repave Fletcher Avenue

The Village of Alvo Board of Trustees voted 5–0 on Sept. 8 to apply for a 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to fund an asphalt overlay of Fletcher Avenue/1st Street.

Vice Chairperson Cathina Schueth told the hearing the proposed work would mill the existing surface 3 inches, spot‑repair low areas, apply tack coat and lay a 3‑inch hot‑mix asphalt overlay for the roadway segment from the Russell Street/Highway 63 intersection to Boyle Street, roughly 2,130 feet long and 24 feet wide. Three existing speed bumps would be reinstalled with improved transitions to accommodate winter plowing.

Schueth said the village expects no residential or business displacement and that affected property owners and businesses would be notified in advance about temporary access or mailbox changes. Citizen Nathan Jordan asked where public notice had been posted; Schueth said the notice was posted in person at JINCO, Loeffler Outdoor Recreation and Village of Alvo Hall and was placed online at www.alvo.gov, and that a hosting update briefly prevented the notice from appearing on the village website until it was corrected.

The village plans to request the CDBG program minimum of $250,000 plus $5,000 set aside for Davis‑Bacon administration and $5,000 for potential change orders, for a total federal request of $260,000; the required 10% local match would be $26,000. Schueth outlined possible match sources: the village’s roads account (about $20,000), incoming highway allocation funds, the general fund, or by modifying the village’s existing loan arrangements with Security First Bank if needed. She said MAPA, the Cass County Economic Development District, will assist with preparing and, if the grant is awarded, administering the grant and any de‑obligation of unused funds.

Trustee Chris Juilfs moved to submit the application; Trustee Gary Estes seconded. The vote was 5–0 in favor. The board then voted 5–0 to adopt the Authorizing Resolution, Statement of Assurances and Certifications, the Citizen Participation Plan and the Residential Anti‑Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan required for the CDBG application. Clerk/Treasurer Amanda Shinkle certified the minutes and the hearing adjourned at 12:03 p.m.

If awarded, the village intends to complete construction in spring 2025, in phased activities to minimize disruption to harvest operations and local businesses. The board said no easements or property acquisitions are expected because the section to be paved is village‑owned.