City sets use of CDBG grant allocation

By Grace Lovins

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)F funding for the city of Birmingham was officially allocated by the city commission during the Monday, November 17, meeting, setting aside money for yard services and the removal of architectural barriers from public spaces.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development operates the CDBG program which annually provides funds to entitlement jurisdictions. For Birmingham, those funds are administered through Oakland County. The city has allocated CDBG funding for the last 30 years, as stated in the meeting packet.

Finance director Mary Chavez explained that the city has been given the same proposed allocation as last year at $34, 052. Under the grant guidelines, 15 percent of the allocation must be spent on public service activities, allocate a minimum of $3,500 per activity and allocate funding to a maximum of two activities.

Chavez stated that the city is proposing to allocate the public service funding to yard services, specifically leaf pick-up, and the final phase of landscape improvements to John West Hunter Park for barrier free access from the boardwalk to the west part of the lawn.

Included in the meeting packet, Chavez wrote in the attached memo that the funding for removal of architectural barriers allows the city to retrofit properly that is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act including structures like bathrooms and entrances to public facilities.

One difference from last year, Chavez said, is that the funding is not guaranteed due to updated guidelines from Oakland County.

With very little discussion, the commission voted unanimously, 7-0, to approve the allocation of the CDBG funds to yard services and architectural barrier removals.