PUBLIC HEARING

Grant writer Shannon Danner conducted a public hearing regarding a proposed community development block grant for housing rehabilitation. The application for housing development will target housing areas along Booker, Haynes, South McClure and Parks streets.

Ms. Danner explained that annual submissions for the block grants may focus on one of four areas: water, sewer, community livability, or housing. Projects must either (1) benefit low- and moderate-income persons; (2) prevent or eliminate slums or blight; or (3) meet other urgent community development needs.

In deciding the best area in which to make application, Ms. Danner stated that a major consideration is determination of which area will provide the "best competitive results" in an application. In addition, some areas require a percentage of matching funds.

"You have to prioritize one, two, three, and four and then look at how you can structure your points to make it competitive," she said.

In targeting the housing area in the application, the city may apply for up to $500,000 with no match required by either the city or homeowner.

Asked whether the targeted areas in the new application are related to those served by a prior grant, Ms. Danner said, "The old grant is not adjacent to nor in juxtaposition with the new grant; it is stand alone."
She explained that in choosing a target area, one must look at the concentration of persons with low to moderate income, the housing stock itself, how many of the residents rent versus the number who are home owners, and "try to address the worst cases."

In a related issue, Ms. Danner stated the City of McKenzie had made a Tennessee Housing Development Application but the effort failed because "points were not there." This application, which is only considered every other year, provides monies for which anyone may apply. Ms. Danner stated that in 2003, the application will be resubmitted with the possibility of pairing the two efforts for a greater likelihood of acceptance.

PARKS AND RECREATION GRANT APPLICATION

Ms. Danner explained the potential availability of a Department of Environment and Conservation Local Parks and Recreation Fund that is made available in part by the real estate transfer tax. This grant may be applied for every other year, with the next submission date falling in 2003.

"The last (award) was $200,000 with a 50-50 match, but it allowed in-kind donations of materials, cash, time, donation of land, etc. in a pretty lenient matching process on a reimbursement basis," Ms. Danner stated.

The grant provides for the acquisition of new property for the purpose of developing parks or for the development of existing land or parks, the addition of new facilities, programs, services, etc. and up to four sites may be included in one application can apply up to 4 different sites in one application.

"It's a very stringent, very competitive application process," Ms. Danner warned, adding that acceptance is enhanced in the presence of collaborative efforts and partnerships between the city and educational institutions, local departments, organizations, and businesses.

She plans to develop a master plan in 2002 in an effort that will involve public input as to the diverse needs of the population. This master plan will be the foundation for the application itself.

TEA-21 GRANT FUNDS ANNOUNCED

Ms. Danner announced the realization of the TEA-21 grant funds provided by the Department of Transportation in the amount of $119,120. The grant will provide funding to develop a welcome center in the theatre building downtown and will repair sidewalks from the theatre to College Street with new sidewalk construction from College to Cedar Street at the Bethel College campus.

The new project ties into a previous project in which $49,000 was received for the rehabilitation of the theatre building.

Ms. Danner congratulated council members on their "enthusiasm, patience, and persistence" in seeing the grant through.

CITY SUPPORTS FALUN GONG

The council passed a resolution supporting the "Global Rescue Walk" of the Falun Gong. City Clerk Dana Deem explained that the mayor had been visited by individuals representing the organization who stated they are attempting to walk from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles, California to draw attention to the issue of human rights and the persecution that the movement has encountered in China. Deem stated the group produced a proclamation from Nashville, Chattanooga and the governor and had a letter from the governor welcoming them to the state. The group was expected to reach McKenzie on November 8.

Falun Gong was founded in 1992 by Li Hongzhi who now resides in New York City. The Chinese government says the group, which numbers in the millions in China, is "an evil cult that led to the death of followers and caused great harm to society."

The Chinese government, according to Asia Source (http://www.asiasource.org/news/at_mp_02.cfm?newsid=5308) "has instigated an official crackdown on members including mass arrests, beatings, labor camps, charges of treason and subversion, and vilification in the official media."
Asia Source lists a comprehensive collection of information regarding the group, including an interview with Time magazine in which Li Hongzhi makes numerous bizarre statements, including the following: "Aliens have already constructed a layer of cells in human beings. The development of computers dictates this layer of body cells to control human culture and spirituality and in the end to replace human beings."

In other business:
* Council member Darra Adkins requested that the Fire Department be allowed to conduct a roadblock for the purpose of collecting funds to help the needy at Christmas. Ms. Adkins stated the roadblock is a yearly activity for the department. Council members agreed to allow the roadblock to take place on November 17.
* The council approved a Christmas bonus for city employees in the amount of $100 for full-time workers and $50 for part-time employees.
* City Clerk Dana Deem announced that no bids had been received for the repair and maintenance of the tennis courts at the Como Street recreational park.
* The council approved the bid of B and E Electronics for 30 pagers and 12 radios to replace obsolete equipment currently in use by the Fire Department. The Motorola VHF radios come with a two-year warranty at a cost of $688 each for a total of $8,256. The Motorola pagers include a desk charger, plastic case, extra batteries and five-year warranty at $328.00 each or $9,840.00 total. The total cost of the radios and pagers is $18, 279.50.
* The council approved the letting of bids by the Street Department for a paint-striping machine. Mayor Edwards stated the equipment is needed on a regular basis and that the resource formerly used was no longer available.

Bills authorized for payment totaled $29,590.69. Included in that amount: B & E Electronics - $2,034.41; Dixie Culvert - $1,770.94; McKenzie Water Commission - $600.00; Barker Brothers Waste - $16,189.89; Morrissett Tire Service - $908.96; Bell South - $861.19; Ward Oil Company - $3,207.20; Midway Materials - $1,193.92; McKinney Hardware - $824.94; Ray Smith Chevrolet - $1,183.31; McKenzie Auto Parts - $815.93.
 

Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731) 352-3322
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