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Hale Mcgranahan, Hometown News CDBG funds for 2008 total $293,000 while home funds total $189,000.
CDBG funds can be used for entire neighborhoods’ public works, infrastructure, public parks and recreation facilities. Homes must be verified income eligible to receive any CDBG funds.
Applicants for CDBG funds will be reviewed over the next couple weeks, Livingston said. The GCRA will notify recipients of the funds.
Council voted 6-0 to unanimously approve the year’s allocation of CDBG and home funds for 2008. Council also unanimously approved the agreement to secure CDBG funds spent on the city’s park property promissory note and mortgage subsidy agreement between the GCRA and the city of Greer.
“We have to ensure the CDBG program that we won’t use federal funds to increase the value of a property, sell the property and keep the profits,” City Administrator, Ed Driggers told the council.
“It is our commitment that we don’t do that. If we do, then we pay all the funds back to the GCRA,” he said.
Ann Cunningham presented the low bid from Hatfield Construction Company for renovation of Stevens Park. Council unanimously approved Hatfield’s $940,000 bid. Council voted to allow the Lighting Company to install new lights, under the condition that enough funds were left to cover the $165,000 bill.
Council also voted to approve the most qualified bid for City Ball Field. Council voted to approve the Loftis Corporation’s bid to grade the facility. Although it was the third lowest bid, discrepancies with the other two bids left Council with the $345,000 bid from Loftis Corp.
A contractor from the Columbia area won the low bid, but council declared its bid to be inaccurate. Hatfiled Construction had the second lowest bid, but was improperly licensed.
The total cost for Stevens Park and City Ball Field is just over $2 million with a $300,000 (15 percent) contingency fund.
Council voted unanimously to not retain the bid bonds posted by the two lowest bidders for City Ball Field.
“Both of our lowest bidders for City Ball Field posted bid bonds,” Driggers said. “Since Hatfield is not licensed, it would be appropriate to not retain that bid bond. If we forgive one, we should forgive both of those.”
City Planning and Zoning Coordinator Glenn Pace introduced the first two ordinance readings of 2008, and Council unanimously approved both.
The first ordinance provides the annexation of property owned by Michael W. and Helen E. Atkins at 252 Burns Road to establish zoning as a residential suburban. Pace said the land parcel would be used for a shoreline and pump station, adjacent to Abner Creek School.
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The second ordinance provides the annexation of property owned by Anita M. Colbert at 2802 Old Woodruff Road to establish zoning as a service district. Pace said the 6.78-acre property could be subdivided into smaller parcels, with buildings that would be used for light industry.
Council unanimously voted to transfer $216,000 for financing current debt. Driggers said the funds are in the general fund, which will allow the city to decrease its mileage rate.
A partnership with Greenville County to pave Mount Vernon Road and South Buncombe Road was approved 5-1 by Council.
Councilmember Joe Baldwin cast the no vote. The city is required to cover the cost of the city’s portion of Mount Vernon Road in the amount of $165,338 and the cost for the city’s portion of South Buncombe Road at $118,300.
There was some concern from Council over other city roads in need of paving.
“This is a situation that is pay me now, or pay me later. I understand we have pressing needs, but it seems like an opportunity to take care of something that ensures we are not going back over it within the next 20 years,” Mayor Rick Danner said.
“County residents use our city streets,” Councilman Jay Arrowood said. “Why can’t we get the benefit of using this?”
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