The Live Oak City Council and Redevelopment Agency adopted the 2009-2010 general fund budget Wednesday night during a joint meeting of the two groups.
Two public hearings were heard regarding grant applications with Assistant City Manager Satwant Takhar covering the first one, asking for approval of the 2009-2010 application for Funding and the Execution of a Grant Agreement and any amendments thereto from the General/Colonia Allocation of the State CDBG Programs.
This grant application is for up to $800,000 for three activities: 1) General Program Administration, $60,000; 2) Multi-Family Housing Rehabilitation: Senior Village Housing Rehabilitation Project, $660,000 and 3) Ten percent set-aside activity – public services: Live Oak Recreation Program and the Purchase of Associated Equipment, $80,000.
The second Public Hearing included a presentation by Consultant Audrey Taylor of Chabin Concepts, Inc., asking for public input regarding the close out of the Economic Development Planning and Technical Assistance Grant in the amount of $35,000. Projects funded with CDBG allocations must carry out at least one of three National Objectives, as follows: Benefit to Targeted Income Group (TIG) persons, elimination of slums and blight, and meeting urgent community development needs.
Taylor explained how much money leaves the area when residents shop elsewhere.
“We’d like to recapture the money being spent out of the area in the next couple of years. There is an approximate leakage of $25 million going out of the area from shopping being done elsewhere. The challenge is, the economy is probably hurting businesses here,” Taylor stated.
In pointing out that Highway 99 is a huge community asset she stated, “Visitors spend $68 million in Sutter County.”
In a recent survey circulated by the City of Live Oak, respondents stated it costs more to shop in Live Oak.
Taylor asked, “What types of businesses can you get here? What is the demand? Residents stated they would like a bakery.”
She continued, “When residents stated they shop in Yuba City, they stated the best time to shop is after 5 p.m. Local businesses might want to stay open later.”
Discussion followed with ideas and projects mentioned to help attract businesses with possibly listing available buildings on the City’s website.
Mayor Diane Hodges thanked Taylor and said she is looking forward to some of the projects mentioned.
Before closing, Mayor Hodges announced the Sutter County Sheriff’s Department is hosting a Town Hall Meeting Thursday, July 9, 2009 at the Live Oak Community Center, where residents can voice concerns and questions regarding gangs, and find out more information about neighborhood watch and the Sheriff’s Department website. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m.
