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Sterling Commission authorizes CDBG grant application to fund library accessibility work
Summary
The Sterling City Commission authorized staff to apply to the Kansas CDBG Community Facilities program to fund ADA accessibility improvements at the Sterling Free Public Library after staff reported an unreliable elevator and estimated repair or replacement costs. The motion passed 5-0.
The Sterling City Commission on Monday authorized City staff to pursue a Community Development Block Grant through the Kansas Department of Commerce to fund accessibility improvements at the Sterling Free Public Library.
City Manager Ian Hutcheson told commissioners the library occupies a 1917 Carnegie building whose elevator has operated inconsistently for several months. Staff provided quotes showing roughly $50,000 to repair the elevator and estimated replacement costs potentially as high as $200,000; Hutcheson said less-expensive alternatives such as a lift or a ramp may be possible. BG Consultants is preparing a Preliminary Architectural Report (PAR) to define accessibility barriers and provide a project cost estimate that will inform the grant pre-application.
The commission discussed program rules and requirements. Hutcheson said the Kansas-administered CDBG Community Facilities: Small Grants award is up to $210,000 and requires a 10% local match, while a Large Grant (communities under 5,000) offers up to $650,000 with a 20% match. CDBG projects must primarily benefit low- and moderate-income (LMI) households; at least 51% of beneficiaries must be LMI and Sterling's overall LMI share is 40%, so staff said a beneficiary survey would likely be required. Staff also noted that the program requires two public hearings (one before application) and that applicants are advised to engage a grant writer because of program complexity.
Commissioner Clint Bundy moved and Commissioner Todd Rowland seconded to authorize submission of the CDBG Community Facilities pre-application/application for library accessibility improvements; the motion carried 5-0.
Hutcheson told the commission that Kansas Commerce will not begin accepting pre-applications until early April and that BG Consultants expects to complete the PAR by early to mid-April. City staff and the Library Board will pursue other funding sources to supply the local match if needed. The commission did not commit specific local-match funding at the meeting; staff will return with any required follow-up and public-hearing dates as the application process proceeds.
