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Minutes for the City Council meeting on November 16, 1998
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PUBLIC HEARING - 5:30 p.m. - A public hearing was held to discuss the 1999 Community Development Block Grant Program. Mr. Jim McKinnon, Grant Coordinator for the City of Jonesboro, explained the amount for the 1999 grant has not been released by the federal government, but he estimated the grant to be the same as last year, $611,000.00. He explained the grant was to benefit low and moderate income persons, aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight, and to meet other community development needs. It was stated that the purpose of the meeting was to inform citizens of the funding level, to allow comments on specific projects, to report on the 1997 and 1998 program-year activities, and to obtain input into identifying and discussing community needs and priorities. Mr. McKinnon provided everyone in attendance a list of eligible and ineligible activities. Each activity was reviewed individually. He reviewed the CDBG expenditure budget for the 1997-1998 program years. The following projects were discussed:
(1) Washington Street Drainage (Phase 1) - a budget of $294,500.00. Mr. McKinnon reported that all easements had been completed, and City Attorney Phillip Crego had filed condemnation action on two structures.
(2) Sweetheart and Tulip Sewer Improvement - a budget of $94,150.00. It was explained an easement had finally been obtained after one year, and the engineer would have the plans and specs ready by December, 1998.
(3) Substandard Housing Demolition - a budget of $25,500.00. Mr. McKinnon reported the project was complete, after the demolition of 41 houses.
(4) Earl Bell Center Renovation - a budget of $100,325.00. Work on the roof, and for the heating and air-conditioning had been bid out, and the contractor estimated completion by the end of December, 1998.
(5) E. Boone Watson Renovation - a budget of $5,000.00. Mr. McKinnon reported the project had been completed
(6) Po...
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