LAKEPORT >> Several amendments to the county’s Community Development Block Grant contract were unanimously approved by the Lake County Board of Supervisors after holding a public hearing this week.
“There’s actually been a lot of updates to CDBG both locally and statewide,” Lake County Deputy County Administrative Officer Josh Jones said.
One major update regards two planning and technical assistance grants, which would have funded wastewater treatment alternatives at Lampson Field Airport and Industrial Park and the Lakeside Commercial Revitalization Project.
As staff looked more into the revitalization project, it was determined that it would not need “anywhere near the $50,000 grant amount,” Jones said. Instead the project will be worked into the county’s normal budgeting process.
However, Jones said the Lampson Field project is still viable but will be renamed the “Lampson Field Industrial Park Development Plan.”
“We don’t really need a broad swathe of wastewater treatment alternatives to be studied,” he explained. “We have a very good idea as to the solution.”
The renaming of the project would broaden its scope to include zoning and land use plan issues, as well as industry clusters to be targeted for development and general marketing of the airport.
Revolving loan programs used for housing rehabilitation and business assistance were also amended.
Because the loans “have experienced low demand and can be quite a bit to manage,” Jones recommended reallocating the money toward street and sidewalk improvements in Clearlake Oaks.
The second study funded by planning and technical assistance grants regarded housing rehabilitation, which was also deemed unfeasible. A homelessness study managed by Lake County Department of Social Services is proposed to be its replacement.
“This study aims to identify homeless populations, as well as strategies and programs to respond to their needs,” Jones said.
Additionally, the department of social services also has a revolving loan program that will remain active, as it “experiences higher demand and is more successful.”
During public comment, North Coast Opportunities Program Director Patty Bruder addressed the board regarding the homelessness study.
“Without it the door is closed,” Bruder said. “We are not able to apply for any of the funds through HUD (U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) to address homelessness, unless we are a full-pledged COC (Continuum of Care).”
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
