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Florissant Okays 2012 Community

Development Block Grant Budget

Public Comment Can be Taken ’til Oct. 13

       By Carol Arnett

The Florissant City Council passed a bill that approves the Community Development Block Grant budget submitted by the Citizens’ Participation Committee. The council first held a public hearing, but no one commented at the hearing.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)  is awarded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. There are restrictions on what is can be used for.

Carol O’Mara, Housing and Community Development Director, said that she anticipated a $20,000 reduction in the grant from 2011 to 2012. The anticipated funding is $190,000.

Of that, $136,500 will go toward Home Improvement programs, $10,000 to Community Oriented Problem Solving (COPS). $5,500 is slated for public services, with $3,500 to Jamestown New Horizons and $2,000 to The Emergency Action Ministry (TEAM). The remaining $38,000 will go toward grant administration.

A 30-day comment period on Community Development Block Grant program will end at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13. The plan is available for review at Florissant Government Building, 1055 St. Francois St.

The public is invited to submit written comments to comara@florissantmo.com, or send to: CDBG Program, Florissant Government Building, 1055 rue St. Francois  For more information, call  O’Mara at (314) 839-7680.

   In other matters, the council:

• held a public hearing regarding a request by Oil Change Plus at 3120 North Highway 67 to allow U-Haul rental vehicles there. Councilman Ben Hernandez stated that only two vehicles would be allowed. No one else spoke at the hearing. The council held a first reading on the bill approving the request.

• Postponed a public hearing that would amend the zoning code to allow taverns, cocktail lounges and night clubs by special use permit only. The hearing was postponed after the council realized that no one from the city staff was there to address the council about the amendment. No one else spoke at the hearing. A bill regarding the amendment was postponed until the next meeting.

• Approved a request by DW Liquor and Convenience, located at 39 Florissant Oaks Shopping Center. Councilman John Grib said that this was due to a change in ownership of the store.

•   Approved a resolution approving a grant application for improvements to Tower Court Park.  The resolution will be part of the grant application for the improvements.