CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Meeting Minutes

March 13, 2002 Portsmouth City Hall 5:15 p.m.

Present: Robert Layton, Chairman; Cicero Lewis; Lynne Langley; and Jean Pecunies.

Absent: Russ Van Billiard (notified staff); Nancy Emerson (notified staff); Vern Gardner; Dani Rooney (notified staff) and William Thorpe (notified staff).

Staff: Cindy Hayden, Community Development Director; Karen Jacoby, Community Development Program Manager.

Chairman Layton opened the public meeting at 5:15 p.m. He recognized Cindy Hayden, Community Development Director, who said that an application for CDBG funds had been received from the New Hampshire Legal Assistance (NHLA) program. The NHLA is requesting $5,000 for FY 2002/2003 to provide funds to develop and provide fair housing education workshops and materials in Portsmouth. Ms. Hayden said this agency was awarded funds through the CDBG program in FY 1997 and FY 1998 for this same activity. In addition, she said that NHLA does receive a grant directly from HUD that funds fair housing litigation and enforcement, but they cannot use these funds for educational outreach.

Ms. Hayden said the NHLA funding request is not eligible under the Public Service Agency Grant Program, however, it is CDBG eligible and the CAC could consider it for funding under the general administration line item. Ms. Hayden also pointed out that the grant requests for the FY 2002/2003 Public Service Agency Grant Program total approximately $3,000 less than the $125,000 available under the 15% cap.

Chairman Layton then opened the discussion regarding the selection of public service agency grantees for FY 2002/2003. Ms. Hayden said that the maximum grant available under the current public service grant program guidelines is $15,000. Mr. Lewis asked how it is assured that public service agencies that receive grants are benefiting low and moderate-income individuals. Ms. Hayden replied that staff monitor the financial and program administration of each agency funded on an annual basis to ensure that the services are provided as described in the grant contracts signed by the City and the agency.

Mr. Lewis said he was concerned that the $15,000 maximum grant amount could be circumvented by an agency that submitted applications for two programs. CAC members discussed limiting agencies to one application. The only organization affected in this grant round would be Families First of the Greater Seacoast which requested funding for their Health Services Program and their Family Support Program. This year these requests totaled $16,500 which exceeds the $15,000 maximum grant amount. After some discussion, it was decided to defer this discussion and any changes to the Public Service Program guidelines until the full board was present; and, further, that such a change, if approved, would not take affect until next year.

Mr. Lewis made a motion to recommend to the City Manager for approval the Public Service Agency grants as requested with the exception of AIDS Response of the Seacoast and the Community Child Care Center. These agencies were each recommended for a grant of $15,000, rather than the amounts in excess of $15,000 they had requested. Ms. Langley seconded Mr. Lewis' motion. Ms. Emerson had previously provided her vote to Chairman Layton in favor of the grant awards as presented in the motion. Mr. Thorpe had given Mr. Layton his proxy vote and Mr. Layton voted in favor of the motion on his behalf. The motion passed with all in favor.

Page Two

A discussion regarding CAC membership followed. Ms. Hayden reminded members that Peter Rice had to resign from the CAC because he is now a City employee and that Mr. Gardner had said he would be resigning soon as he was moving out of the City. She said that at least two new members will be needed to replace them. Members noted the importance of diverse geographic and socio-economic representation on the committee. Ms. Hayden said that in the past, they have received suggestions for new members from other CAC members and she invited CAC members to give staff any recommendations they may have over the next few months. She said interested parties would need to complete an application and suggested those individuals meet with Community Development staff and Chairman Layton to learn more about Committee responsibilities. Completed applications for membership would then be submitted to the Mayor who makes all appointments to boards and committees. Ms. Hayden suggested the search for new members begin after the FY 2002/2003 budget is finalized.

Having no further business, Chairman Layton reminded CAC members that their next meeting is on Wednesday, March 27th at 5:15 p.m. He adjourned the meeting at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Karen Jacoby

Community Development Project Manager