Fulton Neighborhood Association NRP Committee Meeting Minutes 1/7/2015
Notes from the Fulton NRP meeting of January 7, 2015
Present
Jim Tincher, John Finlayson, Steve Young, Christian Lindgren, Ruth Olson, Dave Delvoye
Minutes
The committee approved the minutes of the 12/3/14 meeting.
Calendar
Fulton Neighborhood News will be distributed during the weekend of 1/10.
Housing program
Christian and Ruth presented drafts of the guidelines for the new housing loan programs developed by representatives from Fulton, Armatage, Kenny, and Lynnhurst neighborhoods. The idea is for these neighborhorhoods to pool their leftover NRP funds to create loan programs which could be accessed by eligible residents of any of these neighborhoods. The committee reviewed, discussed, and approved the draft guidelines – with no changes – for the Home Improvement loan program and the Emergency Repair loan program.
Ruth presented recommendations for how FNA could fund its share ($125,000 proposed) of the programs, with most of the money ($103,000) allocated to home improvement loans. The committee agreed with the recommendation to use $60,506 from its currently available housing funds, which includes amounts held by the City and Center for Energy and the Environment, including $21,149 in program income.
Ruth presented options for funding the balance of the program, looking at money available from NRP Phase 1 and Phase 2. The committee discussed FNA’s plans and uses for these funds and recommended reallocating all of the contracted funds remaining in the NRP Phase 2 plan – $50,177 – to the loan programs. This would mean closing out the strategies for environmental initiatives, community engagement, coordinator and support, and administrative expenses. Ruth will try to find out if this move would satisfy the NRP requirement that 70% of Phase 2 funds be applied to housing programs. $7,065 in uncontracted funds would remain in the Phase 2 plan and be available for other uses.
Using these sources, the total amount of FNA money available to fund the housing programs would be $110,683. The next step is for the FNA Board to decide how to proceed. If the Board agrees to the proposal, a community meeting and vote would need to be held to modify the NRP Phase 2 plan and authorize the transfer of those funds ($50,177) to the housing loan programs. The committee recommended that FNA evaluate the performance of any new housing programs after two years.
FNA grant program
The list of recommendations for allocating grant program funds is not ready yet.
Safety committee
On 12/15 and 12/30, unknown suspects broke into a total of 16 vehicles parked at various commercial districts in the neighborhood. An armed robbery of person also occurred at 51st & Ewing on 12/15.
Pershing Park improvements
Steve reported that a meeting with Park Board staff resulted in an agreement on the nature and kind of shade structures for the wading pool at the park. The preliminary budget for the project – before a request for bids – is in the realm of $15,000. The plan is to ask the Park Board to split the cost with FNA. The Park Commissioner for this district has expressed support for the project.
Neighborhood sign
More money needs to be allocated to paying the electric costs of the neighborhood sign at 50th & Washburn. The committee recommended that $1,000 – enough for five years – be shifted from NRP Phase 1 safety programs to the strategy covering the sign. This would involve a modification of FNA’s NRP Phase 1 plan.
Other business
FNA has received a complaint about the Stop light at 49 1/2 St & France Ave, stating that a left turn arrow northbound would alleviate dangerous congestion. The City is working with a consultant on the issue.
John reported on a proposal for FNA to host periodic social gatherings for neighbors at Pig & Fiddle. The business could accommodate up to 50 people for such an event and expressed interest in working with the neighborhood to make it happen.
Notes prepared by Dave Delvoye
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