Village May Apply For Block Grant

By John Larson

MAGDALENA – The Village Board of Trustees Monday night moved forward on a plan to apply for a grant to pave the southern portion of Pine Street.
In discussing the Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP) for next year, two of the top three items fall under the state legislature for funding; the Municipal Complex Phase II, and improvements on the community center at the rodeo grounds.
“Those are pretty much out of the question, since the governor has frozen all projects,” Mayor Jim Wolfe said. “The one item we might get money for is the paving of Pine Street.”
The $450,000 project would be funded by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), if approved by that federal agency.
Village Clerk Rita Broaddus said the application must be submitted by Dec. 15.
“This means the board will have to have two public hearings before final approval by the Board,” she explained. “The South Central Council of Governments did not let us know until last week that we would qualify for a new CDBG grant, which is why we have so little time. Normally we would start the process in September or October.”
The purpose of the South Central Council of Governments is to assist local governments in applying for grants, which includes the timely scheduling of public hearings.
“We haven’t heard from the COG people. They’re the ones who are supposed to help us get grants,” she said.
Broaddus said she will try to schedule two special public hearings for the next couple of weeks, and that public notices will be posted announcing the hearings.
Mayor Jim Wolfe proposed that the two hearings could be held in two days.
“Have one at night and one during the day,” Wolfe said. “If we can get everything done before the 15th of December we should have a good chance of getting this. It basically is a shovel ready project.”
Trustee Jack Fairweather said that although the time is tight, “I think we should give it a shot.”
The project would pave Pine from Fourth Street down to the dorms, Broaddus said.

In other business:

The Board passed the municipal election resolution. Election day will be Mar. 2, 2010, when voters will choose two Trustees and Mayor. All three positions are for four year terms. Voting will be held at the Fire Station. Those wishing to run for any of the positions must file their candidacy at Village Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

With one dissenting vote from Fairweather, the Board approved the naming of Arthur Rauschenberg to be the next Fire Chief. Current Chief Tim O’Neill indicated to the board via email that he must step down because of several out of town commitments. Fairweather said that his no vote did not “in any way” reflect his support for Rauschenberg, but that he had a problem with naming a new chief without a formal resignation from O’Neill.

Marshal Larry Cearley requested that the board approve the sale of three police cars. The board approved the sale of the vehicles, which will go out for bid - an $800 minimum bid for the 2001 Crown Victoria; A $1,000 minimum bid for the 2003 Ford Expedition (involved in a rollover); and a $900 bid for the 2000 4WD Ford Explorer.

Village May Apply For Block Grant