Council hears CDBG plan: storm‑drain engineering, housing rehab bid and calls to help community resource center

Brandy Caparazzo, community development manager with Great Northern Services, outlined the draft approach for the 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) NOFA. She said the city can submit up to three applications and recommended two: a planning/engineering application for the storm drain master plan and an application for a housing rehabilitation program that would provide low‑interest loans, forgivable loans or grants for eligible homeowners. "The two applications that are planned to be submitted is for engineering plans and environmental assessment for the proposed storm drain master plan and the planning for Mossberry Springs... The total request will be 300,000," Caparazzo said.

Caparazzo explained scoring priorities (need, readiness, capacity and past performance), noted updated household income limits for 2025 (for example, $52,600 for a 1‑person household and $75,100 for a household of four) and said Great Northern will assist the city with outreach and grant administration if applications are submitted. Community commenters urged the council to consider using CDBG to help the Dez Merrick Community Resource Center purchase its facilities rather than relying exclusively on housing rehab projects; speakers argued that acquiring a neighborhood facility could provide longer‑term community benefit than a loan program that serves fewer individual houses.

Councilors and staff discussed the tradeoffs, grant timing and how program income from prior CDBG loans (PI income) can support neighborhood facilities. Great Northern confirmed a limited weatherization program still exists and will be available to eligible residents. The public hearing closed with staff indicating they will return with a resolution to submit applications per council direction.