The first CDBG Advisory Committee was appointed by the City Council in 2001 and every year has continued to approve the formation of such a committee.CDBG Advisory Committee membership can be tough duty: dozens of applicants for the funding – last year hovering in the $400,000 range – are numerous and each applicant representative usually makes a verbal pitch of why the funds should be awarded their way.City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz told the Council that the CDBG Advisory Committee meeting has been scheduled for Feb. 7… the meeting, which has been known to last for four or more hours in past years, is being scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m.Bobkiewicz asked that Council appointments be submitted to staff by Jan. 10, 2007.Councilman Bob Gonzales asked if the criteria for appointees mandates only residents of Santa Paula.“I believe the criteria is a resident or a business owner,” whose enterprise is located in the city said Bobkiewicz.
City Council set to appoint Community Development Block Grant committee
December 27, 2006
Santa Paula City Council
Santa Paula citizens – or non citizens for that matter – interested in a once a year shot at public service will soon be asked to serve on the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesSanta Paula citizens – or non citizens for that matter – interested in a once a year shot at public service will soon be asked to serve on the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee.The committee crafts recommendations to the City Council on how an ever-shrinking pot of federal funds should be spent.The City Council discussed appointing the CDBG Advisory Committee at the Dec. 18 meeting.Each Council member appoints an advisory committee member.The CDBG Advisory Board considers applications from non-profit organizations that provide services ranging from housing to Blanchard Community Library, the city itself – which has used past funds for park and facilities improvements - to the Ventura County Ombudsman Program which provides oversight of those residing in convalescent homes.By law only 15 percent of the total CDBG fund allotment can go for social service programs with 85 percent targeted for “bricks and mortar” projects or those – like Women’s Economic Ventures – that stimulate job training or opportunities.
