From Maui News
by Claudine San Nicolas
A Maui County Council committee gave unanimous support Tuesday to a proposed $1.9 million federal grant application for fiscal year 2012.
The application would be filed by the county with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for funding from the Community Development Block Grant Program. The program benefits low- and moderate-income residents, prevents or eliminates slums or blight, or addresses other community development needs arising from a serious or immediate threat to the community’s health or welfare for which other funding is not available.
Council approval is needed for the county’s application to be submitted. The resolution approving the application is expected to come before the full council later this month.
The following agencies and projects would be funded under the application:
ARC of Maui, $350,000 for construction of a five-bedroom residential facility on Molo-kai for adults with developmental disabilities.
Maui Police Department, $55,000 for the purchase of a midsized, four-wheel-drive pickup to increase public safety services in Hana.
Maui Economic Concerns of the Community Inc., $531,900 for a Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center rehabilitation project, which includes repairs and replacement of damaged stairs, lanai and railing components, cabinets, counter and appliances, and installation of energy-efficient water heaters.
Maui Family Support Services, $283,300 for the purchase and installation of a photovoltaic system for its Wailuku Weinberg Early Childhood Center for low- and moderate-income and at-risk families.
Department of Water Supply, $96,000 for procurement and installation of a backup generator for the Wakiu well serving Hana.
Tri-Isle Resource Conservation and Development Council for the Molokai Youth Environmental Services or Molokai YES, $139,180 for a work-learn employment training program benefiting youth workers on Molokai.
Mental Health Kokua, $99,316 for a feasibility study and predevelopment work for the rehabilitation of a public facility that serves low- and moderate-income individuals who are homeless and need substance abuse, mental health and social services.
The application also calls for providing $374,180 to the county’s Community Development Block Grant office for program administration.
Another five projects were listed as alternates if selected projects do not move forward.
CDBG Coordinator Tony Arakaki said 20 proposals were originally filed, seeking $5 million for projects. But eight of the 20 proposals did not pass the initial screening and a few others were disqualified for a variety of reasons, ranging from incomplete applications to requests for ineligible activities.