Comm. Devel Week Info & Proclamation
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MEMORANDUM
March 16, 2005
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Community Development Week
Enclosed is information from Housing and Community Development Department
Director David Harris in support of the Community Development Week Proclamation
being presented by the Community Development Advisory Commission.
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Michael C: Van Milligen '-
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Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department Director
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MEMORANDUM
March 11, 2005
To:
Micha~1 Xan Milligen, City Manager
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From: David H-~'tris, Housing and Community Development Department
Subject: Community Development Week
Introduction
This memorandum submits the attached proclamation declaring Community Development Week on March
28-April 3, 2005. Sr Paula Maloy, Chairperson of the Community Development Advisory Commission, will
present the proclamation to the City Council at the March 21 2005 meeting.
Background
The City of Dubuque recognizes the importance of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
program in its proclamation of March 28th - April 3rd as Community Development Week. The City has
been a participant in this federally funded program since its adoption in1974. Especially in this time when
the federal FY06 budget proposes the total elimination of CDBG, the City wishes to recognize the
importance of the CDBG program and join our voice with other cities throughout the nation in showing
how much this program helps our community.
The CDBG program has been a mainstay in the partnership between the federal government and cities
like Dubuque to improve the lives of our citizens, especially those families who are of low and moderate
income. CDBG has been a resource to meet community development, affordable housing, and economic
development needs.
In the City of Dubuque, CDBG funds numerous programs that assist low and moderate income persons.
Last year alone, CDBG funds assisted 19 first time homeowners to buy a home, 50 residential housing
units were rehabbed and 20 new jobs were created. Over 6000 people received services funded with
CDBG, including recreation programs, vocational training for at-risk youth, group therapy for the mentally
ill, summer reading programs, and programs for the elderly. Neighborhood and community development
programs provided for a variety of neighborhood services and improvements, sidewalk and accessible
curb ramps, improvements in neighborhood parks, historic preservation and neighborhood support grants.
Discussion
CDBG funds assist low-and moderate -income homeowners through a combination of City programs
including the homeowner rehabilitation program and first- time homebuyer program. These activities, in
addition to the housing programs for rental assistance have improved the quality of housing in our
community and created an affordable place for our citizens to reside.
The City has utilized CDBG dollars to fund economic development loans to assist businesses in retaining
and creating jobs. Loans have been provided to numerous businesses - including Dubuque Data
Services, Eagle Point Software, Eagle Window & Door, Nordstrom Distribution Center, Precision Tool and
Engineering, Vessel Systems, Westmark, and Heartland Financial - to expand, relocate or move into
Dubuque, creating jobs for all in the community, These economic development programs have leveraged
other private and public funds to generate business growth in our community.
The City of Dubuque continues to strengthen its commitment to the quality of life in our neighborhoods
through the CDBG program. Funds have been provided to targeted neighborhoods to improve
communication between residents, generate area improvements and respond to specific neighborhood
needs and problems. Recreational programs have brought youth recreation opportunities into low income
neighborhoods. Neighborhood parks have been improved and play equipment installed.
The Community Partnership Program (cp2) began in 1991 with CDBG funds and continues today
providing grants to non-profit and for-profit organizations for new and innovative public service activities
and accessibility projects. Over $1.5 million dollars have been awarded since the program began,
leveraging over $5.8 million in community projects. The following organizations have been assisted with
cp2 funds since the program began:
Area Residential Care, Audubon Elementary School, Barn Community Theatre, Boys and
Girls Club, Central Alternative High School, Dubuque Community Schools, Dubuque
County Historical Society, Dubuque Area Lifetime Center, Dubuque Food Pantry, Dubuque
Morning Optimists, Dubuque Museum of Art, Dubuque Rescue Mission, East Central
Intergovernmental Association, Ecumenical Housing, Four Mounds Foundation, FourOaks
Inc of Iowa, Gannon Center, Habitat for Humanity, Heartland Housing Initiative, Hillcrest
Family Services, Hills and Dales, Little Cloud Girl Scout Council, Northeast Iowa School of
Music, Operation New View, Project Concern, Scenic Valley Agency on Aging, St Stephen
Food Bank, St Mark Community Center, St. Stephen Food Bank, Substance Abuse
Services, Visiting Nurse Association, Washington Tool Library, and the YMCA-YWCA
The Community Development Block Grant program has also assisted other programs that serve the
community. The Washington Tool Library loans tools to low income residents every year to improve and
maintain their homes. Accessible curb ramps have been installed at many street corners throughout the
city. Deteriorated public sidewalks have been replaced for low/moderate income homeowners, and
streets have been improved in targeted areas. The CDBG program has been effective in creating a more
livable and enjoyable community.
Action Requested
The Action Step is for the City Council to declare March 28-April 3, 2005 as Community Development
week. We will join with other cities in the nation to celebrate the many benefits we have received, and
hopefully will continue to receive, from this federal block grant program.
Prepared by Aggie Tauke, Community Development Specialist
F:\Users\ATAUKE\CDBG\CDBG Week memo OS.doc
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PROCLAMA TION
WHEREAS, the Federal Community Development Block Grant Program has
operated for over 30 years to provide local governments with the
resources required to develop viable urban communities by
providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and
expanding economic opportunities principally for persons of low and
moderate income; and
WHEREAS, the Community Development Block Grant Program has had a
significant impact on our local economy through job creation and
retention, physical redevelopment and improved tax base; and
WHEREAS, Dubuque, Iowa and other local governments have clearly
demonstrated the capacity to customize the CDBG Program to
identify and resolve pressing local problems, such as affordable
housing, neighborhood needs, job creation, and physical
redevelopment; and
WHEREAS, a week recognizing community development will encourage
community residents to reaffirm the significance and diversity of
their local community development program efforts toward meeting
the objectives of the program.
NOW THEREFORE, I, TERRANCE M. DUGGAN, MA YOR OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF March 28 THROUGH
APRIL 3, 2005 AS:
"COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK"
AND URGE THE PEOPLE OF DUBUQUE, IOWA TO JOIN WITH US IN
RECOGNIZING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND THE
IMPORTANCE IT SERVES TO OUR COMMUNITY.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have
hereunto set my hand and caused the
Great Seal of the City of Dubuque, IA
to be affixed this 21st day of March
2005.
Terrance M. Duggan, MA YOR
ATTEST:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk