Florissant Approves CDBG Plan and Budget

The Florissant City Council passed a bill that approves the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) action plan.

The City of Florissant receives CDBG funds directly from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The money received must be used for activities approved by HUD. The primary objective of the CDBG Program is to keep communities viable by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment.

The program is administered by City Housing Director Carol O’Mara. The Citizens Participation Committee (CPC) works with O’Mara to determine where the money will be used.

At a public hearing before the council in September, Francine Andrews, with the CPC, provided the council with a financial summary of how the money will be spent.

The grant for 2014 is estimated to be $226,151.

The CPC proposed that the bulk of the funds be used for housing programs. The Home Improvement Program would get $121,016, which could help approximately 17 homes. The Home Improvement Program – Mechanical, would receive $50,000, which should help approximately ten homes. The C.O.P.S. program would receive $10,000.

Jamestown New Horizons would receive $2,000 to help provide public services. The grant administration cost would be $43,134.

No one spoke is opposition or support at the hearing. The council held the first reading at the Oct. 14 meeting, and voted to approve the budget at the Oct. 28 meeting.

Pirate’s Cove Closes

Pirate’s Cove Bar, the site of two fatal beatings and a shooting in the last year, has closed its doors.

The bar was located in a shopping center at 470 Howdershell Road.

In November 2012, a man was beaten in a fight during a washers tournament. He died from his injuries after several days in the hospital.

In October of this year, a man was beaten after shooting two other patrons. He later died of a heart attack related to the injuries. The two shooting victims survived. The brother of one of the shooting victims was charged in the death of the shooter.

The shopping center’s owners decided not to renew the lease on the bar.

 

 

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