The Jefferson city council approved funds needed for two different grant applications at its regular meeting Dec. 8.
After a public hearing at which no comments from the public were offered, the council approved matching funds of up to $15,000 for a Community Development Block Grant in the owner occupied rehabilitation program.
If the grant is funded, up to six homeowners will be able to make needed home repairs with a goal of safety and energy efficiency. Each of the approved projects will be eligible for a five year forgivable loan of up to $24,999 if the home was built after 1978, or up to $33,000 if the home was built before 1978 and needs lead-based paint abatement.
Region XII Council of Governments is preparing the grant application. Region XII staffers Karla Janning, housing programs coordinator, and Chris Witaker, local assistance director, attended the council meeting. Janning explained that Region XII is in the process of verifying incomes of 50 homeowners west of Elm St and south of the railroad tracks. That area has been targeted for the program.
The verification is part of the grant application process. If the grant is awarded, Region XII will begin the process of home inspections and a ranking system to determine which projects will be funded. Notification is expected in May, with work on homes probably not starting until late in 2016.
The city council also approved increasing the funding it awards the Bell Tower Community Foundation from $4,000 to $5,000 annually. That allocation will be counted toward the match on a Vision Iowa Community Attractions and Tourism (CAT) grant for which the foundation is applying.
Peg Raney represented the foundation at the meeting. The foundation had initially planned to apply for a $220,000 grant to cover 42 percent of completing the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower to create a full, four-octave carillon. However, Vision Iowa’s response to the Intent to Apply was that the program has never funded that large a percentage of total cost.
The grant application will be for considerably less, with a target of funding 20 percent of the total cost of the project. Raney said the foundation will undertake fundraising to make up the difference.
One fundraiser is already in progress. A color photo of the bell tower, printed on canvas, is available for purchase, with all proceeds going to the foundation.
Two sizes are available. The 12″ X 18″ version is cropped wide enough to show the Lincoln statue and the Medal of Honor flag. Cost is $89. The 12″ X 36″ version is cropped tight to highlight the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower. Cost is $129.
The prints are on display at Ben Franklin and can be ordered there.
