CBGD Grants

[dl meckes]

Imagine my surprise when I opened a newspaper this morning and saw a list of cities that have applied for and will receive Community Block Grant Development grants. Lakewood wasn't included. The city of Lakewood has used those funds for a variety of projects including preschool credits, road repair, and storefront redevelopment. While the amount of money is lessening, $150,000 is nothing to sneeze at and the money comes from the Federal taxes that we pay. So, what happened? Did no-one submit an application?

[Michael Deneen]

Even I can't imagine that City Hall would be that incompetent.
Is it possible that Lakewood doesn't need to re-apply each year?

I was on Citizens Advisory Committee many times in the 1990s....I seem to recall that Lakewood qualified due to:
1. Age of our housing stock
2. Our population being over 50,000

Nothing has changed about #1, and I don't think we can lose #2 until after the 2020 census is official.

CDBG dollars have been crucial to the city over the years....especially for funding road repair in areas such as Birdtown.
I'd be shocked if City Hall somehow forgot to apply. If that's the case, then this administration is even worse than I think (and I think it's pretty bad).

[Bridget Conant]

I found this on the city site:

http://www.onelakewood.com/wp-content/u ... equest.pdf

It looks like they asked for 360,000 for FY17.

Where did you read about the grants?

[Thomas J. George]

Imagine my surprise when I opened a newspaper this morning and saw a list of cities that have applied for and will receive Community Block Grant Development grants. Lakewood wasn't included. The city of Lakewood has used those funds for a variety of projects including preschool credits, road repair, and storefront redevelopment. While the amount of money is lessening, $150,000 is nothing to sneeze at and the money comes from the Federal taxes that we pay. So, what happened? Did no-one submit an application?


DL,

Often asked question. The City of Lakewood, because we have a population exceeding 50,000 residents is an entitlement community. This means we receive our Community Development Block Grant dollars directly from HUD. Smaller cities with populations less than 50,000 receive their CDBG dollars from a pool of dollars sent by HUD to Cuyahoga County government.

This is another reason the 50,000 resident threshold is important. If our City population falls below 50,000 our CDBG dollars would probably be thrown into the Cuyahoga County pool where we would be competing with other cities for block grant dollars.

Since the 1980s our CDBG allocation has ranged from nearly $3,000,000.00 per year to 1/2 that. Originally the funds were made exclusive to infrastructure repairs in "target areas", e.g. low income census tracts. During the 80s and 90s we were able to repair just about all the sewers and streets in these target areas. Having such great need in the "non target" areas of the city, we over the course of several administrations, we were able to challenge those restrictions and as a result, we got a great deal of flexibility as to how HUD would allow these funds to be spent.

CDBG is a great federal program because it gives flexibility to local officials and residents as to how these funds should be spent, rather than having Washington dictate our local needs.

One of the HUD grant requirements is to have a local citizen's committee review and make recommendations as to how the particular city's CDBG allocation is spent.

Hope this helps.
Just an aside, the foremost champion for the CDBG program was Sen. George Voinovich.

[Brian Essi]

Here is another document I harvested from the city website designed to confuse old and feebleminded people like me:

http://www.onelakewood.com/wp-content/u ... equest.pdf

The document and the one Ms Conant posted both list Bryce Sylvester as "Senior City Planner"

Mr. Sylvester is referred at various places in the city "website" as "Assistant Director of Planning"

At council meetings he is now referred to as "Director Sylvester"

Could anyone find out if and report he was actually promoted to "Director of Planning and Development"?

"This fickle fuddled website confuses me, Like will it rain today"

[Bridget Conant]

Brian

Bryce appeared on WCPN recently. According to the synopsis of the show, he was listed as "Director of Development and Planning."

http://www.ideastream.org/programs/soun ... e-students

[mjkuhns]

Often asked question. The City of Lakewood, because we have a population exceeding 50,000 residents is an entitlement community. This means we receive our Community Development Block Grant dollars directly from HUD. Smaller cities with populations less than 50,000 receive their CDBG dollars from a pool of dollars sent by HUD to Cuyahoga County government. […] Hope this helps.

This is tremendously informative, thank you for posting it.

[Brian Essi]

This is another reason the 50,000 resident threshold is important. If our City population falls below 50,000 our CDBG dollars would probably be thrown into the Cuyahoga County pool where we would be competing with other cities for block grant dollars.

Mayor George,

Public records obtained reveal that County Planning Director Glenn Coyne has been involved in things ranging from the Active Living and Recreation Task Force and selection of 4Ward Planning, Inc. market study concerning the hospital site. Mayor Summers was part of a citizens group of some sort that discussed, among other things, the "regionalization of medicine." When Dru Siley resigned, Mayor Summers suggested something to the effect that no replacement would be needed and that the city could tap into planning help from the county. A Cuyahoga County official is on the Wellness Foundation Task Force.

Could you perhaps comment on the historical relationship between the the county government and the city government and whether you would have any concerns related to CBGD grants or other matters?

[Thomas J. George]

Mayor George,

Public records obtained reveal that County Planning Director Glenn Coyne has been involved in things ranging from the Active Living and Recreation Task Force and selection of 4Ward Planning, Inc. market study concerning the hospital site. Mayor Summers was part of a citizens group of some sort that discussed, among other things, the "regionalization of medicine." When Dru Siley resigned, Mayor Summers suggested something to the effect that no replacement would be needed and that the city could tap into planning help from the county. A Cuyahoga County official is on the Wellness Foundation Task Force.

Could you perhaps comment on the historical relationship between the the county government and the city government and whether you would have any concerns related to CBGD grants or other matters?

Mr. Essi,

As an intelligent individual, you understand the City of Lakewood and Cuyahoga County government interact in a myriad of ways. Simply because the City does not have a seat at the table regarding dispersing of Cuyahoga County CDBG funds, does not mean the City and County don't interact in dozens of other ways, including law enforcement, Cuyahoga County health department, public works, social services, disaster coordination, planning etc.

In addition any politically savy County official understands Lakewood is an important political entity in the County and State. Hence, Lakewood officials are often included in task forces and other committees to build consensus and support.

Over the years, Cuyahoga County and the City of Lakewood have had a strong bond. Ed Feighan, when he was a County Commissioner, lived in Lakewood. About 1/2 of Commissioner Tim Hagan's 200000 relatives live in Lakewood so he had a first had understanding of the problems and issues here. These are just two examples of dozens.

I, of course, cannot speak for the Mayor, but my understanding from those comments would be although the City is not part of the actual County CDBG process, other planning functions provided by Cuyahoga County government would be utilized. Whether relying on Cuyahoga County to provide these services is a good idea or not, I leave it up to you to decide.

Hope this helps.

[Gary Rice]

I was first appointed to serve on the CBGD Citizens Advisory Committee under Mayor George. It was a great experience.

Involvement with this group is an excellent way for any Lakewood citizen interested in our local government to roll up the sleeves and start helping to shape Lakewood's future. The appointments to the committee would be through your City Council person, or by the Mayor, and then, with subsequent approval at a regular Council meeting. There are generally only a limited number of appointments available.

A number of Lakewood's elected leaders began their public service to our City through their experience on this committee. It is not a paid position, (that is, it's voluntary) but the intangible rewards gained for being a good citizen, and learning about local governance, are incalculable.

If you don't feel that you have the time to serve on this, or some other community committee, you can certainly attend their meetings; all of which are announced publicly.

So often, I was just amazed at how few people showed up at some of our meetings, and this goes to an observation that I need to make, concerning our active 'Deck contributors:

It's one thing to look at issues from the outside, and quite another to enter the process, get involved, and learn about how all of this works. It's educational, often fascinating, and always very important to our community.

The more we can have citizen involvement with our city's governance, the better city we shall have.

Back to the banjo...

[Brian Essi]

Mayor George,

Public records obtained reveal that County Planning Director Glenn Coyne has been involved in things ranging from the Active Living and Recreation Task Force and selection of 4Ward Planning, Inc. market study concerning the hospital site. Mayor Summers was part of a citizens group of some sort that discussed, among other things, the "regionalization of medicine." When Dru Siley resigned, Mayor Summers suggested something to the effect that no replacement would be needed and that the city could tap into planning help from the county. A Cuyahoga County official is on the Wellness Foundation Task Force.

Could you perhaps comment on the historical relationship between the the county government and the city government and whether you would have any concerns related to CBGD grants or other matters?

Mr. Essi,

As an intelligent individual, you understand the City of Lakewood and Cuyahoga County government interact in a myriad of ways. Simply because the City does not have a seat at the table regarding dispersing of Cuyahoga County CDBG funds, does not mean the City and County don't interact in dozens of other ways, including law enforcement, Cuyahoga County health department, public works, social services, disaster coordination, planning etc.

In addition any politically savy County official understands Lakewood is an important political entity in the County and State. Hence, Lakewood officials are often included in task forces and other committees to build consensus and support.

Over the years, Cuyahoga County and the City of Lakewood have had a strong bond. Ed Feighan, when he was a County Commissioner, lived in Lakewood. About 1/2 of Commissioner Tim Hagan's 200000 relatives live in Lakewood so he had a first had understanding of the problems and issues here. These are just two examples of dozens.

I, of course, cannot speak for the Mayor, but my understanding from those comments would be although the City is not part of the actual County CDBG process, other planning functions provided by Cuyahoga County government would be utilized. Whether relying on Cuyahoga County to provide these services is a good idea or not, I leave it up to you to decide.

Hope this helps.

Thank You for your insights.

[Brian Essi]

So often, I was just amazed at how few people showed up at some of our meetings, and this goes to an observation that I need to make, concerning our active 'Deck contributors:

It's one thing to look at issues from the outside, and quite another to enter the process, get involved, and learn about how all of this works. It's educational, often fascinating, and always very important to our community.

The more we can have citizen involvement with our city's governance, the better city we shall have.

Back to the banjo...

Mr. Rice,

Thank you for your service.

To the extent your comments are directed at me as a "Deck contributor", please note the following that began my efforts to get involved;

http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewt ... cil#p94128

Starting is March, 2015 I met with all council members, the mayor and as many LHA who would meet with me and offered my assistance. I have attended far more than a majority of city council meetings and public forums, and those that I have not attended, I have watched on video and reviewed agenda and meeting minutes. My initial efforts to be involved and help were shunned almost immediately by the mayor, law director, LHA leaders, council president Madigan, Bullock and a majority of council. I still attempted to help the minority of council members i.e. Marx, O'Leary,and Anderson, who one by one rejected my involvement and help.

The Deck is replete with evidence of the evolution of my "involvement" in our local government affairs. Despite the rejection of my effects, I continue, even with pending litigation in which I am the State ex Relator--- essentially representing Lakewood citizens' right to know details of how our government operates on a variety of matters.


So dare I say, that our city leaders view me as involved as a proctologist is in diagnosing an illness of a non compliant patient.

As for other Deckers, we need not look further than the mature and wily Mr. Austin who I understand has done his fair share of being involved.

I understand that you and many others do not agree with my approach and tactics, and I respect your opinions.

My opinion is that the voices of dissent of others on the Deck, no matter the style and tenor, are not only part of our community, they are involved in perhaps the most vital role in it.

[dl meckes]

Gary, I served on the Loan Approval Board and was one of the members of the Community Relations Advisory Commission. I also got this board up and running for anyone who wanted to participate in this part of the Observer project.

As you may know, Board appointments are political in nature, so it's safe to say that not every administration has welcomed me aboard.

[mjkuhns]

Just to add some context to this sub-discussion of "get off the internet and participate," I would like to recommend this thread from late 2013, about the appointment of a council member for Ward 2.

http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/v ... =7&t=12238

Here's the case of a participant in this forum who not only applied, but shared the fact and substance of his application with the public. By contrast, after some discussion, people seemed to conclude in the 2013 thread that "There is no [published] formula or requirements for how [the city solicits or decides on applicants]." It appears that the official window for applying lasted six whole days, though, and perhaps it's small wonder that people were even then cynical about the deliberations which would follow.

Our friend Mr. Call had little expectation that his application would receive serious consideration. He did, in fact, receive an interview. On the other hand, it certainly seems like events of the past 38 months have often corroborated his doubts about the practical requirements for appointed public service in Lakewood.

I don't want to deter anyone from involvement, just the opposite. But I think it's possible that many who have entered the process, gotten involved, and learned how things work, currently have reason for looking into forms of involvement besides applying for a board appointment etc.

[Gary Rice]

All,

First of all, when I post on the 'Deck, I try, I REALLY try not to address my post either to, or about a particular individual, unless I am responding to a particular subject.

I did not have ANYONE particularly in mind at all when I posted my thoughts here. There are any number of people here on the 'Deck who at least appear to be VERY concerned about Lakewood, and yet, I've seen very few of those people present, whenever I've been at City-related meetings.

I'm a strong believer that we should always encourage people to get off the sidelines of life and get involved.

(I did the same thing when I encouraged students to leave the wall and join the crowd when I was a middle school teacher chaperoning at a dance... Of course, we also needed to suggest to a number of students that they had enough excitement, and that they needed to go BACK to the wall, in order to cool off a bit, but I digress. )

Finding the balance in life...ah if we only could find it more often...

Now, are those committee appointments "political"? (whatever THAT means) I don't think that to be necessarily true, although all things are possible. My experience has been that if a person is interested in volunteering for one of these committees, they are generally given a fair hearing. The biggest problem I found, was that it's not easy to get people to commit to the necessary time and energy involved with those committees.

As far as my having a differing viewpoint than others goes, I try not to personally judge people and their methods and motivations. We all come from different places, and our personal experience with the City or their various department heads can often make a huge difference in how we view the municipal news of the day.

Back to the banjo...