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Bolivar staff told to prioritize animal pound in rushed CDBG application
Summary
With a July 28 deadline to apply, staff told the Bolivar council they are eligible for CDBG funds up to $500,000 and asked which project to prioritize. After discussion about match and timing, the council gave informal direction to prioritize a new animal pound and related access road.
City staff told the council on June 3 that Bolivar had completed a low-to-moderate-income survey that makes the city eligible to apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, with a competitive grant cycle and a near‑term application deadline of July 28.
Staff presented three candidate projects they believe could compete for funds this cycle: (1) construction of a new animal pound (including a road to access a site behind Public Works on West Bridal), (2) construction of a three-bay garage addition at Fire Station 1 (phase 1), and (3) a pavilion with restrooms adjacent to the new playground. Staff recommended a 15–20% match for scoring but noted the city could technically submit with a $0 match.
During discussion councilors raised match requirements, phase-two costs for the fire station, ownership of the land behind Public Works (staff confirmed the city does own enough land to build the pound) and the urgency of the pound project given the current pound is located on land controlled by a utility company. Several councilors said the pound could become an urgent need if access is revoked.
After questions and debate, staff sought direction. The council gave an informal consensus in favor of prioritizing the animal pound project, with staff instructed to proceed in good faith to prepare application materials and bring back formal resolutions and details as required.
What happens next: Staff will prepare the grant application materials for the prioritized project and return to the council with draft resolutions and any required match/engineering costs before submission.
Quote: "The pound, if you're saying that's number 1... I think I am in understanding that the pound is the desired approach," Kyle Lee said as staff sought direction.
