Britney.
I come calling Britney from Representative Troop 336 for the
invocation, please. >> Dear heavenly father, we pray that
you'll be with all these folks from the town of Wilsburg. Give them guidance to
make the right decisions for our community. And we pray that you'll bless
everyone who's here. We ask all these things in Jesus name. Never miss it.
Amen.
There you go.
I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic
for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and
justice for all.
Britney
like to recognize these scouts. One thing is they're resilient. This is
another team and we were supposed to have two other people and so they
managed to do this all themselves. In recognition, we want to present both of
you with the full books for honor guard patch. Thank you so much.
» Take care.
So are there any additions or deletions to the agenda?
There are just a few. Yes, sir. >> So there is
the item eight. budget amendment number seven, general fund budget amendment
number eight, water fund budget amendment number three, general fund
budget amendment number nine, and water fund budget amendment number seven.
There is also item L for the discussion of installation of stop signs near
Chestnut and B Street. >> Do we have a motion to adopt the agenda?
the agenda. >> Mr. Mayor, I make a motion to accept the
agenda as noted. Commissioner Parson, do I have a second?
» Second. >> Thank you, Commissioner.
Do we have any discussion? If not, all in favor say I.
» I. Thank you. Any awards recognition? Chief,
no other comment, Mr. Sir, thank you.
So, routine business.
We have our consent agenda. Do I have a motion to accept our consent agenda or
is there anything that needs to be taken?
If not, do I have a motion to accept?
» Thank you, Commissioner Bmer. A second. >> I'll second.
» All in favor say >> I.
» Thank you. Managers report. Yes sir. Thank you. Um
Black Station which was identified as surplus property. We did obtain an
appraisal on the property and it's in the hands currently of development
corporation to define interest in the properties and so there has been some
contacts made with some of the interested prospects.
They created a spec sheet all in the package and this includes
four parcels and they have identified a price of
$290,000
as an asking price for again this will be marketed as
related. Hopefully we'll have some
information to you.
» Just a curiosity question. I know I've been in there and it's been
around, but in the future there's some still some train things that were left
there.
probably not worth anything just question.
» M Brooks, we have a report. >> Good evening.
I wanted to give you all an update on the UDO. Um, as you know, we have been
well, Robin Tatum, our land use attorney, she has been reviewing the
document and the goal is to be able to get a draft by the end of May. Um, we
have been in contact with her, Director Campberman and I, and we're working
towards getting that draft back from her. U, but currently, Director
Campberman and I are reviewing some questions she had. She has some
preliminary questions that we needed to go through u mostly in the definition
section, just trying to do some cleanup before she's able to submit us that
whole draft. So, I just want to let you all know that it's in the works and
still the deadline by the end of this calendar year. Um, so hopefully by
January 1st, 2027, it should be completed. I think we're still on
schedule to hit that deadline. So, and by that we mean like adopted and already
brought to you. So, you should be seeing the full draft in the next few months.
» I would like to point out, Mr. Camp, I have had discussions about
this fairly even workforce housing effort.
government and we've also had some interest from
developers working 189 to 230.
So this is this is a thing that would benefit our community. And so as part of
the UDO, I know Joseph and I want to discuss this together. I have notes from
for our course out to on this, but there's some interesting things that
possibly could be involved in updating our UDF that may bring us into the f
present times. So >> and there will definitely be time for
that feedback. Right now we're still in that preliminary phase, but it's it's
exciting. We're making progress. >> Mr. Mayor, if I may have a couple items,
the joint water intake we did receive the temporary construction from all the
property owners. Uh the contracts,
materials moving in and works. So contract
joint intake is a 630 project and then the contract fee is 39 days. So
things are progressing. So we're starting to move there. Um for fire
department
contract in place some contractors the contracts are being
led with them. Things are starting to progress there.
We did have slight hold up on some tile, but we're working through that. But
again, thanks for addressing that. Lastly, I'll mention
I made reference to the possibility for an ordinance that would involve the
operation of parks in some areas of the town. And this is very preliminary.
haven't drafted an ordinance yet
who has an ordinance in place. There's several other towns and locations around
us who have that. Uh so started to draft an ordinance there
offering your consideration.
If you don't mind out that looks like the storm drains are getting ready to go
in the fire department. Is there anything that you want to report?
» No. Well, we got the site's pretty much level now. I mean, that's that's all the
grade continues. >> So, next will be the plumbing and
electrical going in underground stuff going in next and the builders for the
new steel building.
» Yes, sir.
» Do you have any e issues from the board?
old business.
» So, I'm so proud of the support from the
board and to the town, the fire department, the police department. I'm
especially proud of Commissioner Harland Homer and Epson. Tell us all how
many phone calls you made to churches, please.
» 105. >> 105.
» Wow. >> She's doing that to get the bells to
ring all at one time. And find a lot of churches don't have bells. U we have a
full day plan. Uh the charters of freedom. Well, I'm sorry. Let me back
up. At 11 o'clock, we're going to show the uh Washington, what's the name of
that? >> American Miracles.
» American Miracle. And I've heard everybody say it's wonderful. You can
get it on Apple TV or at Liberty Theater for free at 11:00 on 4th of July. We're
having at 2 o'clock the Charters of Freedom
Memorial. And if you haven't been by the books for a town hall, it's fabulous.
It's the documents are going in now. It's the Constitution, the Declaration
of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Civil Rights Act. Uh we're going to
have a dedication there at 2:00 p.m. on the 4th. And a lot of us are all
involved in that. Um when we're leaving Bay at 4:00, we're going to have a
American 250 pageant at the museum, the old courthouse and we're going to have
George Washington proclaim or proclaiming the Declaration of
Independence and the parade will start there soon after and Fred Costello and
the his group have put together a fabulous parade full of people and
hopefully horses. That was the number one people as for going to have horses
at the end of the parade. That's going to go from Wilsboro to
North Wilsboro and then we're having the meltdown at the farmers market at 5:00.
We're going to have historical speakers throughout the afternoon. We're going to
have presentations for children and games and things for them to play. They
have ice creams and hot dogs and how many? Six food trucks.
» Eight. >> Eight food trucks. So, plenty to eat
there. A lot of good stuff going on. Uh we're going to make an announcement
about the North Holsboro train station there and the uh the who owns it and we
own it and we're going to make that public and we're going to have a speaker
there as well. And we're going to follow that up with a the
Wilks symphony as I'm calling it now because
I've got the tool pit and I'm going to call it the symphony. I'm doing that
because I'm hoping that we can continue this. Uh we have 20ome people in our
symphony orchestra that are going to play
full repertoire of his patriotic hymns and veterans memorials and and the 1812
overure and all that. And we have 20ome people in choir that are going to sing
along with it and they're going to play that about 10:30 in the evening. So I'll
leave anything out.
» So thank you Andrew. Still and and this man has been cutting things and
gathering things and taking photo press to put in. Tell them about your time
cap. So, I'm doing uh with the group and some people, we're doing a time capsule
that'll be open in 50 years. And I took a picture of every building in downtown
North Wilsbor, every restaurant in North Wilsboro. Went in and got their menus,
either got to go menus or pictures of the menus, every church in town, all the
town properties and parks, um all the gas stations because I didn't
know if they'd be here in 50 years, uh all the um grocery stores, retail
stores, and other important buildings like the hospital and different things.
And we printed we're just doing like traditional photos that are 4x6 and
we're putting them in archival sleeves so they don't stick together. Um so
that'll have a lot of photos documented. I've got patches from the police
department, fire department, and some things like that. I went to the speedway
and took a bunch of pictures and they donated some stuff to the Tommy Cap. So,
I've got business cards from a lot of businesses in town, uh, all sorts of
brochures from the Chamber of Commerce, um, different posters and things that
are promoting stuff this year. And, um, going to try to get some letters from
the board and picture of the board. Um, we're doing a thing at the 4th of July
where kids can sign a constitution. It'll go in there. Large entry got us a
constitution with a feather pin. And we made these cards where a kid say, um,
this is my name. This is how old I am, this is how old I'll be in 50 years,
what I want to be when I grow up, and we're going to put that in there. And,
um, I think, uh, there's a few other things like I for fun, I put a pack of
baseball cards and basketball cards and, um, just some other things. And Rain
Stern Funeral Home is donating these two plastic vault things that like an earn
goes in that are airtight. And they're donating a big vault that those And
that's going to be the time capsule. And um probably we're going to take all the
documents and everything and seal it and vacuum sealer packs so that we'll
hopefully do well the next 50 years. And we have a a like a granite stone on top
with the town seal and when it should be open. And we're going to have an event
on Friday, October 9th. And we're not exactly sure where it's going to be yet
because we're still trying to decide where to bury it. We're thinking about
the fire department because We think it'd be the safest place because it's
such a new building. We don't know if it'll quite be ready and we've got some
other locations, but it's been way more work than I thought it would be when I
said I'll do this. But it's pretty cool and I've met a lot of nice people.
And you won't mind as well as 50 years. >> I still plan to be working every night.
» And uh I want to say Sandra had the idea um we've been meeting uh we have a group
of people that meet every other Wednesday basically since January to
come up with ideas for America 250. We've had the Daughters of American
Revolution, had people from the library, the Junior Auto Society, uh Fred from
the Rotary Club that's putting on the parade and all this stuff where people
came together and it's been really fun. We've made good friends with each other.
Um, but I think a cool thing is Sandra had a couple ideas. One was to paint the
uh fire hydrants and they're banded now in the art gallery. So, that's really
cool. And she had an idea to have all the churches ring their bells together
at the at at the same time on July 4th. And so, they're going to ring the bells
at 4:00 when the parade starts. and she did literally call over a hundred people
trying to get it together and so far she's had a handful of people that say
they'll they'll do it. So if your church has a bail and you would like to try to
get to participate, talk to Sandra Speaker.
» Yeah.
» All right. New business. Mr.
We have a public hearing. >> Yes.
» If you don't mind to go ahead and enter us into the public hearing for item G.
This is for an annexation on Jones Dancy Street. This is the third time the board
has heard this item. So I will be pretty brief.
We'll start with the the map. on the next. So this is a parcel on Dant
Street. The board of commissioners in the last couple months agreed to be done
to be done this property. The applicant is here tonight. If you have any
questions for them, but they would like to build a believe a single family
dwelling on this property and they would like to connect to town utilities. So
they have requested an annexation. They met all the requirements of the town to
be annexed in the town limits and this is a continuous annexation. It is
roughly 3/4 of a mile from IGA off of Highway
18. >> Yes,
» it's in behind the CQ. It's sort of in behind the CQ building.
Would you like to speak on your behalf?
» No, he said he doesn't. >> Does anybody else have any comments?
If not, we'll close the public hearing and I will ask for a motion to either
approve or not approve.
Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we approve the annexation.
Do I need to list the partial number for Dylan?
» Uh, if you can just approve the ordinance 26-21.
» Okay. I uh approve the uh I make a motion to approve ordinance 20 26-21
for annexation of the property stated in the agenda.
» Second. Any discussion on Northsburg?
» Yes. Welcome to North.
» Thank you. Congratulations.
» Program.
Good evening, commissioners. Um, in your agenda packet, you have the downtown
Northsboro building improvement grant program before you for consideration
tonight. Um, this was developed to encourage private investment in downtown
by providing financial assistance in the form of a grant for projects that would
improve properties, activate vacant spaces, and contribute to the overall
economic vitality of downtown. Um, this is something I've been working on for a
while and I've been gauging the need in our community. Um, and I've included
that in my departmental report for over a year now. Um, so this is the the
guidelines and the application and the draft of the rubric that are included in
your packet. Uh, so the guidelines go through the purpose, what the program
goals are, eligibility criteria, um, eligible which would include
interior improvements like flooring installation, fire suppression systems,
plumbing, electric, excuse me, electrical uh kitchen installation or
buildout, roof replacement, HVAC upgrades, and restroom facilities to
name a few. Uh we list out ineligible costs um and identify that the grant
award amount would be up to $12,500. It's a reimbursement grant of up of 60%
of the total project cost up to that amount. Um, and this would be reimbursed
after the project is completed. We included a little blip about historic
tax credits so that property owners are aware of that incentive
and outlined what the application process is.
um which would be applications would be accepted on a rolling basis starting
July 1st and it would run similar to how the facade grant program currently
operates. So applicants would submit their application and all the required
documentation to the downtown local partnership board. We would review um
and we would consult with appropriate staff for the projects and then this
particular grant would have a rubric which is included. The PA grant doesn't
have a rubric. Um there's just certain criteria that an applicant needs to
meet. And then once the partnership board approves the grant application,
applicants would be required to sign a grant agreement outlining the terms and
conditions. Once the project is completed, they would submit paid
receipts or clear checks and we would reimburse them for the eligible cost. I
included the application for you and then the scoring rubric which has um
it's on point scale and applicants have to have at least 60 points to be
considered. And it has categories that include economic impact, historic
preservation, housing creation, property activation, private investment,
leverage, public safety, and then overall community benefit. So, if
adopted tonight, the program would become effective July 1st, allowing us
to begin accepting applications and support projects in this upcoming fiscal
year. Are there any questions?
» Couple questions. So there there will not be any public hearing involved in
this process. >> Okay. So we will be approving this
tonight.
» You're hoping for approval or disapprove. Okay.
» And if there's any feedback or changes that need to be made, then I can come
back for approval. >> My question would be and I will be
totally transparent with this. I found two buildings I think that fall into
this and we've had one application for the other program that was done years
ago and so I know my wife is certainly interested in taking part in this and I
just want to be upfront and transparent about that. Of course Mr. Palmer I think
has a bill and maybe others. So just want to make the public aware that
that's going on and would fall under the same guidelines and rubric that's a test
of qualifications. >> Anybody
» I've got a few questions more just so it'll kind of highlight some things for
people to understand. I don't want any buildings in downtown.
» Okay. >> Um so what's the amount and Is there a
match? >> Um the it's a 60%
reimbursement up to $12,500. >> Yeah, that's good. And um some examples
of some things I know I ask you about. One big thing that I think is important
is it'll roof. >> Yes.
» A lot of our buildings problems and things
otherunities you looked at. >> Yes, I I looked through several
community um grant applications and packets uh and they do they cover
similar um improvements to properties. Some communities have a specific roof
grant um but most of them have just a general building
that needs a roof really. >> Does some of these things would it apply
to like upstairs res? >> Yes.
» How about like a building? things like
» I think that's it. Well, I appreciate it. Think this is great and I hope the
board got a lot of buildings downtown that
need some attention.
You know, downtown is getting where that if I'm a if I'm a business owner
upstairs, I made an apartment above the business to rent out to somebody.
Can this grant be used for putting a a fire alarm system in the building to
notify the people upstairs that the building is burning? Yes.
» I mean, >> that would be a good grant to put out
there because I mean, right now, we don't know. We're still having a hard
time finding apartments. Sometime people living in places all the time we didn't
know they was there. >> So maybe some way to notify them to get
them out of that building quick enough because these old buildings downtown,
they burn quick when they start burning. That would be a big plus that we ought
to really push for the business owners downtown.
» Good com
managers. I call him the AIG. He's not listening to me, but he he uses his
phone and photograph and can do a facade upgrade on his phone. Spectac
I'm telling the talent and think about the hundreds of thousands of dollars
that could save people and we're working on some plans that maybe would work with
the chamber or other groups downtown that maybe could help us do some of
that. So, we're making progress. I think it's a good thing and I just
want everybody to know that I want to be part of it, too.
» I think I think it's a great thing and I'm curious if we approve it then. Do we
go back into our budget? >> So, I presented I presented this at the
budget retreat. I didn't have I didn't have this to present for approval at
that point. >> We were smart enough to give you the
money.
T one other thing. Is it is it only available for buildings inside the CBD
district? >> Well, it's a little bit bigger than our
CBD district. It's our historic downtown. Yeah. So, there's the
includes.
» I got a couple more things. Um the money is a pool of money. It's basically the
same money we use for facade grants. Correct.
» Correct. So in the the past fiscal year we had $20,000 set aside in our facade
grant line item and in the next fiscal year it will be 45,000 to include facade
and >> so grit
as it was before. >> Yes. And there's years that go by when
the facade does we don't use. >> Correct. I also just want to say I think
this is important particularly for our downtown because we have the only
downtown that's like a real formal downtown with many streets in in Wils
County and I think that it's important we take care of it because it's
historical and it's telling what we've got be very
» okay >> good
» for a certain amount of time. So, I'm going to do my best not to talk
too long so we don't run out of more storage.
» Good evening, board. It's good to see you all. Um, here tonight to talk about
a build grant presentation that you guys have had a little bit of time to
marinate on. Um, I've sent an email out. You guys have also got in your agenda
packet of staff report that kind of goes over the um the details of the bill
grant. Um so we're just going to dive right in the bill to the bill grant
summary. Bill grants bail bill stands for veterans utilizing investments to
leverage development is your wonderful acronym for the day. It previously
existed under Tiger and Ray's grants under previous administrations. Um don't
ask me to quote what that means because I would not be able to tell you those
acronyms. Um historically it's funded service transportation projects. So
you're talking active transportation, you're talking greenways, you're talking
uh sidewalks, things like that with specific priority to active
transportation in previous rounds. And when I mean rounds, I'm talking
administration rounds. Um previous administrations have um have shown
priority to this. The current administration is showing priority to
projects that reduce roadway fatalities, i.e. traffic economic.
So just a little bit about this grant. It was established in 2009. So you're
looking at two more years, it'll be 20 years that it has been funded. And it
was originally established under an annual appropriation act, but
in 2021 it was authorized um in to be something that is more like we don't
really envision this grant going away. We just envision it changing colors. So
um so you know it's something that has kind of withtood the administration's
test of time just showing difference in priorities.
Um oops wrong thing. So objectives and intent. There's two portions of this
grant I'm going to focus on and that's planning and implementation. So the goal
is to obtain a planning build grant as a joint application between the two towns.
The big thing about this grant is that it scores well when we have a joint
application between two municipalities. Um that's really honestly I would say
without that you're probably better off not going for it. Um upon completion of
the planning build grants the idea would be to use those planning documents which
are shovel ready documents. You're talking construction documents,
environmental plans, feasibility studies, signage plans, all those good
things. And then go for the implementation side of the build grant
as a joint applicant or maybe a separate applicant. Um, you know, obviously
supporting our sister town and Okay, there you go. Okay, continuing
on to the objectives and the intent, the estimated scope of deliverables for the
planning of Bill Green. So, you guys had a little bit of a breakdown of this in
your agenda packet, the staff report in the email I sent earlier. I'm going to
briefly go over it and then I would absolutely welcome feedback on this. So
establish construction ready documents. What I'm telling you is when we get
these documents, the idea behind them is they have costs in them and they have
documents that we can then take to a capital improvement grant and we can
because without that they're going to how much it's going to cost? How many
linear feet are you doing? What's the feasibility? How does the public feel
about it? Things like that. So when we come out of this grant, the idea would
be a construction ready documents um with an implementation strategy. And
again, who's going to pay for it? Grants, donations, things like that.
Obviously, you know, maybe appropriations for our general fund,
things like that. But again, we kind of need this in order to go for any kind of
implementation of these projects. So, the strategic implementation strategy is
going to be Yaki River Greenway, historic downtown Wilsboro's phase two
of their development, North Wilsboro's downtown river district master plan.
Some additional deliverables would be a maintenance, accessibility, and signage
plan for the Aken River Greenway. So, I'm a heavy greenway user. We love our
greenways. We also love our parks. I think one thing we're we would could use
more of is consistency with accessibility so people know what
they're coming into when they come in if they have accessibility needs. Signage
plans, wayfinding is a big thing. Um, consistency, especially in our
greenways, is really important, especially when it comes to emergency
services and things like that. And then a maintenance plan because, as much as
I'd like to say this, 40 years from now, I probably will not be around. And we
want to make sure that this maintenance plan is in place so that previous future
planners and planning directors and staff of the town have something that
they can hang their hat on instead of well who's in charge of maintaining this
because you'd be surprised two decades go by and people start forgetting those
kind of things. So something that could kind of withstand um staff's coming and
going. Um and then the final thing as part of this grant would be to have a
project grants manager procure with the grants funds to assist
with the process. That does not mean take this completely and run with it but
provide a little bit of alleviation for staff throughout that process. That is
obviously the intent of the entirety of the grant. Um
there's projects in North Folks Road Downtown River District master plan to
kind of hone in on that would probably score well or score the best. So I don't
think we could do the entirety of the plan, but we would we would pick what we
feel like in with the grant writer is just something that's going to score us
well. Obviously that's the goal and I think
next slide for me it's not. No, it's back. It's back.
Okay. Some success stories. I'm going to go over them very quickly. Barton
County, Kansas got a $239,000 planning project for accessible public
transportation master plan. Um, you got Ward County, North Dakota. They got a $4
million planning grant for growth um, driving intermobile connector. Um,
they are, you know, obviously that is again back to that kind of active
service transportation plan. Um, the city of Homer, Alaska got a grant for
$2,50,000. It is also a planning project to plan
and design a comprehensive network of non-motorized infrastructure.
City of Mina, Arkansas got a planning project to create an active
transportation master street and ADA transition plan. So, what you can see is
kind of the common theme behind a lot of these um grand recipients is that it is,
you know, it's it's a plan to kind of hopefully move it into the next phase,
right? None of none of these in the planning stage are are you're going to
see food shovels in the ground. Um, okay. Now, we're going to go over some
pros. But before I do that, I'm going to pull up something because I believe in
your initial um staff report, I did give you kind of a rough estimate on what
we're shooting for from a uh from a total like grant amount. Give me one
second. I'm going to pull that up. I don't think I included that.
» Okay. So, the idea behind that is to shoot for something, you know, in the in
the in the recipient. Right now, we roughly have $2 million dedicated for
the active river greenway systemwide feasibility study that I talked about
ADA accessibility, signage, stuff like that, maintenance plan. 850,000
dedicated towards the historic downtown Wilsboro engineering and design and
construction documents, two million for the North Wilsburg downtown and river
district engineering and design construction. You know, we have al got a
very big scope of work that we have compared to the downtown in Wilsboro and
then $500,000 for a project manager. This is a very
big political competitive grant, so we're going to need someone because this
is an multi-year grant. Um and then $550,000 for maintenance, accessibility,
and signage plans. So if you total all that up, um you're looking at about um
five almost $6 million. Um so, you know, we're we're well within that range of
what they would we're going to shoot from the moon and see where we land. I
do expect some of these numbers to be altered and shifted and stuff, but that
kind of gives you a good idea of the breakdown of where we're where we're
heading. So, the pros to applying for this grant, it's a multi- town
collaboration. Um there's no secret that I used to work for Wilsboro. I work
great with Wilsboro. I think they've got some great things going. We've worked
really well together with the Outdoor Economy Group. I think there's pros to
continue to work with both towns. When both towns succeed, the Wolves County
succeeds. So I think that's kind of a given. The great thing about this is you
come out with shovel ready planning documents for some of the downtown river
district projects. We don't have those currently. We have a wonderful plan that
you as the board um had the forethought and wherewithal to go forward with that
plan. Now we're ready to move forward with some of the next steps.
Greenway expansion expansion feasibility and maintenance plan. These are and I
can't really harbor enough how important some of these are. A maintenance plan is
really important. Um there is a maintenance plan in place currently, but
it's got a lot of dust on the shelf. Um expansion of our greenway system, I
think means healthcare north, which is ultimately there. um downtown
development in historic downtown Wsboro. Again, if we can become a destination of
both towns, we ultimately benefit businesses and the residents of both
towns. And then the number one I'm going to hang my hat on is there's no grant
match required. So, you know, this is we're going for, you know, upwards of $5
million. There is no grant match required for this grant. Um and there is
no grant match required for the capital grants because we and you can go up to
25 million on the capital grant. We are a rural town. we fall under those rule
standards. So, there isn't a match. Again, I don't know of a grant that
gives you $25 million that doesn't have a match. So, again, that's that's those
are some pros to hang your hat on. Some cons. Um, this will likely have to
submit for this grant two plus times. Um, I'm going to give you the grant cost
in just a second, but what I do want to hit home is that we do expect the
resubmission costs to be cheaper than the initial cost of the submission.
However, I think it's really important and reasonable that we look at this
being something we submit to plus times because I don't want to come back a year
later and say we didn't get it and then there'd not really be interest in
resubmitting it because I do think that we need to work towards it if we're
going to commit to it. Um the two plus submission again it's a political and
highly competitive grant. So it's a federal grant so it's nationwide. You
are competing with other people. We did that similar with our brownfields grant.
We were the only one in North Carolina to get the grant. So I think that's
something to be proud of but it is something that's political um planning
staff capacity um you know with this grant with EPA grant and our daily
duties we would we'd be at capacity to pursue grant through the grant process
as well as the grant submission process. It's just nature of force Kurt and I do
our best to do it all but we can only do so much. Um so you know that will tie us
up through the grant process to pursue other grants. Um, administration changes
could benefit or be a detriment to future submissions. I wish I had a
crystal ball, but two years from now, we've got a new wonderful new election.
So, that could change their priorities. Could be a pro, could be a con. Um, I'm
not going to commit to either one because I've been wrong before and I'll
probably So, you know, I think that's obviously
something to um think about. And then the grant may not
score well under this current administration. You know, our goal is to
work with a grant writer who has a lot of experience with federal grants and
they're going to tell us, "Okay, hey guys, I think under this current thing,
we're going to try to curtail this to best meet the what the grant wants."
Ultimately, administrations change and that could
change. Um, the grant submission date and the reason why we're coming to you
today is February 27th. And while that seems a long way away, this is probably
one of the hardest grants we will do. So, we need time to plan. So, I want to
have the wherewithal to come to you guys and seek request because this is going
to come we're going to be hitting ground running if we get approval from this.
Um, we would like to not find out until July or June of 2027. So, you're looking
into the new fiscal year of next year. If we didn't get it, the goal would be
to come back and request the money in either this current this upcoming fiscal
year or depending on when we find out it could be the next fiscal year. um
as of May in your um as you can see in your grant packet. Um
and and I I kind of touched in this to kind of give a broad overview, but I
have gone into more detail in your staff report. We've got two grant partners
that have put together proposals that you'll find in your grant staff report.
The Ferguson group and innovative funding partners. Um
they have given a price. The good news is Wils After Economy work group has
agreed to cost share a third of the price and Wilsboro has agreed as their
main meeting to pursue this grant not to exceed 12,000 from their entity. So I
think what we're we're asking from you tonight is if you choose to go with this
grant I will need a motion to not exceed 12,000 on the from our entity from grant
services. So ultimately in total that would be 36,000. we would not be going
over that amount, but want to make sure we have enough to be able to pursue
those grant writing services for a grant this size. Um, I have included those
submissions in your packet and with that being said, I'm going to turn it over to
you guys. I know this is a decent amount of information and I'm here to answer
any questions. Let me point out a couple of things if I
may. When you talk about shovel projects, think big or small. Recently,
uh, we've been notified of crosswalk improvements in the town that is coming
from the DOT that's going to help improve our traffic patterns and so
forth. That's not going to cost us anything, but this could help in the
development of that. The river district is most likely to expand with
opportunities soon and hopefully will include some areas around Memorial Park
and the block 26. I think we need to come up with a better name for the block
26 by the way. And then traffic calming is something that this possible
expansion, we've been working on some things to redirect traffic,
I'm sorry, redirect heavy truck traffic off of Main Street. So that could
possibly play into that. And then the last thing, just I would like to applaud
you for two things. Your leadership in grant writing proposals that we've gone
after lately for Memorial Park and different greenway projects and and so
you've been a real team leader in that. So, thank you and if we're hurrying,
we'll still make your wife happy by getting you to her birthday.
» I appreciate it. I will say that to give you a brief breakdown of what that
timeline looks like. Submission in February. She's going to be happy to say
that submission in February, notification sometime in the summer,
early fall of 2027. And you're looking at probably running this five years,
four to five years. So you're looking at five plus years for this planning grant.
» Essentially you're talking about 12,500. >> Yeah.
» We're going to say 12,000 for this >> and then if we have to reapply it would
be less than that. >> Yeah. I don't guarantee
» Yeah. Yeah. >> We don't want to assume.
» I'm open to Yeah. Any questions you have. I just want to kind of break down
what that's going to look like from a timeline standpoint. Capacity and then
cost >> like you just said
repeat that it's very rare to get an opportunity of a grant of size and
magnitude that doesn't require a 50% match or at least anywhere from
five to 50% match for so to me if you if you're looking at going after it's it's
the pain versus the gains and to me $12,500
investment potentially
drop kick into the stratosphere starting point for growth in the two towns
together. I don't see how you turn it down
personally >> and books for us cooperation. Well,
books for far beyond the planning. It started there but we're moving on all
hands on deck with that. So, >> do you want to clear it 12,000? So, when
we make a motion >> 12,000
» not 12,500 yet. >> I know that's a technicality, but I
don't want to sign books for for another $500.
I've got a few questions. >> Yes, sir.
» So, when you say it will put the planning department at capacity, what
does that mean? >> So, I've got an EPA brownfields grant
that's currently in the works. You know, I expect an RFQ to go out soon. Um, you
know, I I think you are well aware of all what we do. Um, I know from the
planning side, things worse than I spend a significant amount of time obviously
helping the public. Um, I'll be at capacity when it comes to
grants. Are we going to have to hire another planning person?
» I don't I don't think so. I just think that for grants for the next couple of
years, this is tie us up. >> Just for grants, not
» Yeah. I mean, because because I because I feel like it's my duty, you know,
obviously we have other things to do in the planning department outside of
grants. And, you know, I want to make sure it's clear that, you know, I don't
want there to be a lapse in helping the public with other things. So, that's
where that capacity comes in. >> Got a variety of questions here that are
not in any particular order, but I'm going to
Yeah. >> What what do you think our chances of
getting? >> So, I think that goes back to the two
plus times. You know, um we can play a game of where the administration's going
to be two years from now, we will have a new president. I mean, that's just
that's the reality. So, you know, that that could change things. If we're on
our second submission and a new president comes in board and we have to
maybe curtail where that grant goes. I mean, I I I can't see through a crystal
ball, but I know one thing. We will have a new president. I mean that's and they
hire I'm going to butcher the the department but they are in charge of the
head of head of transportation over at the federal government. So ultimately
yes the transportation could change you know under the B administration from
what I know because I know quite a bit about the race because we've been
talking about this for a while. It was very much active transportation heavy
that that was that was one of the goals. What what can we do to reduce
environmental pollution caused by motor vehicles? That is not the case with the
new administration. However, they kind of still go back to that active
transportation, but it could change with new administration. So, yeah. Um, I
think there's I think we have a project that bodess well for submission. I just
can't tell you how many times it's going to take to go for it. We have just been
told by both grant writers that to likely expect two plus submissions.
» You said that it's political. Is there anything we can do politically to try to
help make it increase our chances? >> Without confirming with our attorney,
I'm going to say that yes, it's a political grant. I'm not sure how much
the town can can contribute to that, but but yes, we do have senators and
representatives that as long as it's okay with the grant, I again I'm going
to preface that. I don't want to do anything that's going to put the talent
in liability, but as long as we, you know, is that something that's okay with
the grant, again, I would defer to them to be the ones I don't want to even use
the word lobby, but >> I was going to say, what about the
lobby? >> So, they're one of the people who would
actually have a lobbying firm. I just without seeing the nature of the federal
grant. I know lobbying for an EPA grant was a strict hard no. Um I don't think
that's the case with this, but I don't want to commit to something that's going
to put us in. >> What all does this lock us into? Like if
we had somebody a developer come that wanted to do something at block 46
that's going to hold up any of that? >> I don't think it's going to hold it up.
I think it could show what we have plans as far as visions. You know, of course,
if we're using private property, we'd have to get somebody to buy on to that,
right? So, we're going to start with some of our public property that we own.
That would be priority number one because you know, obviously we have
control of that. Um, but then yes, there could end up being a partnership where
we we have easements or something to be able to build some of this stuff.
» So, if somebody approaches us while we're applying for this, this is not
going to affect that. >> No, because I think I don't completely
commit to it. I think this gives us the ability to have a planning document. I
still go back to we're probably going to stick with a lot of public stuff because
without, you know, consider we don't want to be a co-op to develop, right? We
want we want to work >> already pass this.
» Yeah, at their main meeting they did agree to pursue the grants not to see
12,000 from their >> um I've got one more question.
» Can we get reimbured through this for our downtown comprehensive plan for
» I don't think we can get reimbured but what I will say is is that
» as part of that grant that's already in place we will be hiring a brownfield
grant manager. Is that >> correct? So, the grants manager is going
to we have a little bit of a switch in and things to actually save us a little
bit of money and it will save us time in the long run so we don't have to go
through um different RFQS processes. We're going to combine the grants
manager with a qualified environmental professional. That way, we save a little
bit of money and time, but yes, there would be a grants manager. That person
doesn't necessarily do everything. They are making sure you're in line with all
these wonderful bureaucratic federal regulations,
» but that will help lessen the workload just a little.
» Yes. The intention is to try to at least make sure we're staying on top and
things. It still requires staff to be pretty.
» And I guess my last question is kind of an overall question, but you feel like
that you can do this grant and just other priorities the town has that we
may need you for that could be also important to us that are like a burden,
you can still cover that. >> I think that yeah, I think the goal
would be to maintain capacity. You know, I want to make sure we're serving more
tools. I don't want this to become a problem for my tools grow. I think just
that grant from the grant standpoint what ties. Okay. Any
other discussion? >> I entertain a motion to accept this
grand application.
» All I need is a motion to accept pursuing that grant at a fee, not less
than 12, not more than 12,000. >> Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we
approve pursuing the build grant for the town of North Oakra not to exceed
$12,000 expenditure. Thank you.