PREBLE COUNTY — Applicants for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds were called into the Preble County Commissioners’ meeting on Wednesday, April 15 to discuss their submitted projects.
Applicants were asked two questions:
•If they are still interested in moving forward with their applications following COVID-19 financial concerns.
Commission President Denise Robertson explained, “We are inviting all of our CDBG projects in — 10 minutes a part — just to verify, given our current situation and our future economic situation that will be coming down the pike, we just want to make sure that [you] still feel you confident that you can go forward with your project given any economic turmoil that may be coming, is coming, no doubt about it.”
•Sometimes to allow for funding allocation for three projects, instead of just two, the county asks to cut projects down. Applicants were asked if they would be able to provide a larger match in case the CDBG portion of their request was cut to make room for additional projects.
Commission Clerk Kim Keller asked, “If by chance, depending on which project they choose to move forward — I know everybody can always use extra money, that won’t be a problem — but if by chance we’re trying to do three or something and we can only do that if somebody cuts, how comfortable are you guys with being able to provide other money if your money is chosen?”
Village of Camden
Camden applied for two projects.
Officials applied for allocation funding for the removal and replacement of inlets on both sides of East Central Avenue from Second Street east to Depot Street. The project includes reconstruction of existing manholes, new storm sewer, and curb and sidewalk replacement, approximately 375 l.f. Project includes pavement repair and wedge along curbs to assist in proper drainage. Total cost $191,753, CDBG request $117,431, with $50,000 village cash and $24,322 village in-kind matching funds.
Camden also applied for Critical Infrastructure funding for the removal and replacement of approximately 48 deteriorated and non-functional catch basins throughout the entire village with related curb and sidewalk replacement on the north side of St. Clair Street from Liberty Street to East Lafayette Street. This project includes curb, sidewalk, storm sewers and asphalt overlay on South Street from South Lafayette Street to Route 127, and will construct curb and drive apron on the east side of Deport Street. Total cost is $426,156, CDBG request is $337,300, with $70,000 village cash and $18,876 village in-kind matching funds.
“Yes, we want to move forward,” Kelly Doran said.
When asked the second question he said, “Based on what our current financial situation is, a modest change or increase would be tolerable. I don’t think it would disqualify us from being able to do it.”
City of Eaton
City officials applied for allocation funding for milling, repair, and paving of a one block section of Mechanic Street between North Barron and Beech streets with some driveway, curb and sidewalk repair, as needed. Project includes tree removal of damaging trees and some pavement and asphalt resurfacing. Total cost $105,900, CDBG request $65,900, with $40,000 cash matching funds.
“We appreciate that and to answer your question, yes, we are still able to move forward with this project,” Joseph Ferriell said.
When asked the second question, Ferriell said, “I guess that would depend on how much you’re talking about.”
Brad Collins added, “Generally speaking, we have some contingency money, we also have our street and our sidewalk money, so if we have to jumble some things around, I think we would be able to do that.”
Village of West Alexandria
West Alexandria officials applied for two projects.
The village applied for allocation funding for street, sidewalk and drainage improvements including construction of new inlets at the intersection of West Second Street and Voge Street. Project also includes new storm sewer construction along the south side of West Second Street, removal and replacement of approximately 270 feet of existing curb and sidewalk on west Second Street, beginning at the West side of Voge Street and repair of pavement as needed and repaving the street. Total cost $154,970, CDBG request $86,200, with $50,000 village cash and $18,777 village in-kind matching funds.
Officials also applied for Critical Infrastructure funding to install new inlets, manholes, and storm sewer along West Third Street and Voge Street, including removal and replacement of existing curb and sidewalk beginning on Voge Street at West Dayton Street and continuing to Main Street (U.S. Route 35). This project will widen the street as necessary to obtain a uniform width, plane and repair pavement where needed, install new storm inlets and storm sewer, and overlay the street with new asphalt. The total length of the project is approximately 1,900 l.f. Total cost if $618,414, CDBG request is $468,534, with $100,000 village cash and $49,860 village in-kind matching funds.
“After talking with our Mayor and he’s consulted our fiscal representation, he said yes. I know he’s had side conversations — no formal decision has been made by the body, because we’re waiting to see those solid dollar numbers, but he said it is a general consensus of council to move forward,” Zach Shafer said.
When asked the second question, he said, “Without putting in front of the whole body of council, I would like to venture to say yes we can contribute a little bit more, but until we know what that dollar — is it $10,000 we’re talking, is it $40,000? There’s a difference there. We would be able to call a special meeting and that decision would have to be made by council, but with reserves and stuff we have in place, I don’t foresee that — just me personally knowing our financial situation — being an issue.”
Harrison Township
Harrison Township officials applied for allocation funding for the paving of approximately 3,295 l.f. of streets within the unincorporated area known as West Sonora, including portions of Hickory, Main, and Freemont Streets with an inch and a half layer of asphalt surface and placement of stabilized aggregate berming to protect the new edges. Total cost $75,000, CDBQ request $45,000, with $30,000 village cash matching funds.
Ric Prater responded, “We had a meeting last Wednesday and we discussed that we’re okay.”
When asked the second question, he answered that they would still be able to move forward if the amount had to be decreased. Susan Laux with Mote & Associates added, there is some berming the village could do themselves as in-kind.
Village of New Paris
New Paris applied for allocation funding for full-depth reclamation and paving of approximately 847 l.f. of dead-end street from Cardinal Hill Road at Hawley Mills Road with stabilized subbase and new driving surface. Total cost $130,000, CDBG request $65,000, with $65,000 village cash matching funds.
Kathy Smallwood said, “We put money away every month for this type of project. We are probably between 20 and 25 percent of our part right now. We feel like we can do it. We would wait if we could, but you’ve seen that street. It wouldn’t last four years, I don’t think.”
When asked the second question, she responded that she believes the village would still be able to move forward if the amount had to be decreased.
