SPECIAL MEETING

April 19, 1978

A Special Meeting of Council was held on April 19, 1978 at 8:00 p.m. with Mayor Legates presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. McDonough, Weyandt, Muir, Carey, Witt and Bewick. Councilmen Hardcastle and Carson were absent.

A public hearing was duly advertised for the purpose of hearing citizens and groups wishing to present projects that would qualify for available funds offered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Community Development Block Program.

Mayor Legates declared the hearing open, informing those present that a maximum amount of $200,000 has been allocated by the HUD area office for single purpose applications. He further outlined the basic eligible activities and the secretary presented the following written Citizens’s Participation Plan.

“The City of Dover realizes the benefits gained from citizen’s involvement at all stages of the HUD Community Development Block Grant Program. To ensure adequate involvement of our citizens, two public hearings will be held prior to the preparation of the preapplication. The first hearing will be held on April 19, 1978 at 8:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall to explain the program and the procedures involved as outlined in the Federal Register under Section 570.431, subparagraph (d), subheading Pre-application Stage. At this time, citizens will be permitted to present ideas in order that Council may approve a single project during the second public hearing, to be held on April 24, 1978 at 8:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

At the second public hearing, to be held on April 24, 1978, City Council will approve and announce the project to be submitted. At this time, plans for developing the preapplication will be made. Both hearings will be advertised in accordance with Federal Regulations and announced on radio station WKEN at various times. Notice of the public hearings will appear in the Delaware State News, fourteen days prior to these meetings and again for seven consecutive days prior to the meeting. The purpose of the advertisement and the public hearings is to permit broad participation, particularly by low and moderate income persons and residents.

If the City of Dover is asked to submit a full application and if any changes, amendments or budget revisions are necessary, public hearings will be held in a manner similar to that at the preapplication stage with notices and citizens involvement given a top priority.

The preapplication, full application and all additional records will be kept in the Office of the City Manager at City Hall and will be available for public review during regular business hours.”

Mayor Legates stated that citizens and citizen groups are encouraged to participate and invited written suggestions on chosen projects to Council by April 24, 1978. Alluding to program requirements, he outlined the following:

1.Project must benefit low and moderate income people and must address (a) housing, (b) deficiencies in public facilities which effect the public health and safety, (c) economic conditions.

The hearing was opened for presentations by individuals and designated group spokesmen.

Ms. Teresa del Tufo, Director of the Whatcoat Social Services Agency, was present to address Council on a proposed project that would provide a temporary shelter for those in need of food, clothing, shelter and counseling in a crisis situation. Specific eligibility would incorporate battered spouses, victims of child abuse, evicted tenants, stranded travelers with no means to provide temporary housing or transportation and victims of natural calamities. Adequate staff and activities will be available for each of the aforementioned categories.

Mr. Charles B. Carter, Sr., member of the Board of Whatcoat Social Services Agency, addressed Council asking if only one program could be sponsored under either of the three allowable categories.

Mr. Robert Wrede, State Coordinator, answered that more than one project could be sponsored as long as they fall within the maximum funds available and qualify, keeping in mind that administrative costs must be considered. There are no matching fund requirements.

Mrs. Emily Morris, Director of the Capitol Green Day Care Center, was present introducing Dr. Adams, President of the Board, Chairman of the Building Committee, Mr. Records, and staff members. She emphasized that the organization serves low to moderate income people and that they are now into Phase II of their building program. The present facility consists of two buildings. Available funds, if granted, will be utilized to join these structures to provide much needed working space to coordinate the various activities and services.

The following is a summation of the requests, including administrative costs:

                                    Whatcoat Social Services Agency      -          35,000

                                    Capitol Green Day Care Center          -          77,214

                                    Projected City Administrative Cost    - 29,000

                                                                                    Total    $141,214

It was suggested that each project include a contingency amount to allow for any cost overruns, since the City, as sponsor, would be liable for same.

Mayor Legates stated that two persons are being considered as a grants administrator to work as a City consultant under contract.

Mr. Eugene Ruane addressed Council with thanks for grasping the opportunity to utilize available HUD funds in the community and the manner in which the meeting was conducted.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:45 P.M.

                                                                        WILLIAM H. WILLIS

                                                                        CITY CLERK

CHARLES A. LEGATES, JR.

                                                                        MAYOR

April 21, 1978

db