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THE CDBG-R SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT Jurisdiction(s): City of Missoula, Montana Jurisdiction Web Address: www.ci.missoula.mt.us CDBG-R Contact Person: Mike Barton Address: 435 Ryman, Missoula, MT 59802 Telephone: [PHONE REDACTED] Fax: [PHONE REDACTED] Email: [EMAIL REDACTED] ENSURING RESPONSIBLE SPENDING OF RECOVERY ACT FUNDS Funding available under the Recovery Act has clear purposes – to stimulate the economy through measures that modernize the Nation’s infrastructure, improve energy efficiency, and expand educational opportunities and access to health care. HUD strongly urges grantees to use CDBG-R funds for hard development costs associated with infrastructure activities that provide basic services to residents or activities that promote energy efficiency and conservation through rehabilitation or retrofitting of existing buildings. While the full range of CDBG activities is available to grantees, the Department strongly suggests that grantees incorporate consideration of the public perception of the intent of the Recovery Act in identifying and selecting projects for CDBG-R funding. A. SPREADSHEET FOR REPORTING PROPOSED CDBG-R ACTIVITIES Attached. B. CDBG-R INFORMATION BY ACTIVITY (COMPLETE FOR EACH ACTIVITY) 1. Activity Name: Franklin to the Fort Fire Hydrant Installation Activity Narrative: Project will add two hydrants in Census Block Group 1.3. A recent Public Service Commission decision has shifted installation costs from the water utility to the City. Addition of these hydrants will complete coverage for portions of this neighborhood where low- and moderate-income households make up more than 70% of the population. Project provides basic infrastructure with long-term economic benefits. Jobs Created: Work will be performed by local contractors who estimate that job will involve 2 FTEs for ten days. Additional Activity Information: N/A Responsible Organization: Missoula Office of Planning and Grants, 435 Ryman, Missoula, MT 59802. Telephone: [PHONE REDACTED]. Contact Mike Barton, Senior Grants Administrator, [EMAIL REDACTED] ---PAGE BREAK--- 2. Activity Name: North Side Pedestrian Bridge Repair and Improvements Activity Narrative: CDBG-R funds will be used primarily to address structural deficiencies that have developed with age. This project will also support the installation of mechanisms intended to address public health and safety concerns associated with the pedestrian bridge that spans the railroad tracks that separate the North Side neighborhood from the remainder of the City of Missoula. This facility connects two neighborhoods containing 1544 households, 74% of which have been identified as low- and moderate- income, and is one of only three access points between the predominantly LMI North Side neighborhood and the rest of the City. Of the other two crossings, one is through an underpass which is particularly unsuitable and unattractive for pedestrian use and the other is as the extreme western end of the North Side neighborhood and not generally convenient for pedestrian use. In addition, the latter access, Scott Street Bridge, will be closed for several months for repairs during the remainder of calendar 2009. The pedestrian bridge is plagues by bird droppings from nests that are located in the bridge’s superstructure. Measures to prevent nesting and roosting will be installed. The bridge also contains several locations where individuals and activities are screened from sight. These “hiding places” have contributed to crimes against persons using the pedestrian bridge and they will be eliminated through proposed improvements. Jobs Created: Work will be performed by local contractors who estimate that 4 – 6 full- time employees will be employed on this project for six weeks. Additional Activity Information: N/A Responsible Organization: Missoula Office of Planning and Grants, 435 Ryman, Missoula, MT 59802. Telephone: [PHONE REDACTED]. Contact Mike Barton, Senior Grants Administrator, [EMAIL REDACTED] 3. Activity Name: Program Administration Activity Narrative: Office of Planning and Grants staff will provide oversight and coordination of all CDBG-R projects. Jobs Created: Activity will support an additional .25 FTE in the Office of Planning and Grants. Additional Activity Information: N/A Responsible Organization: Missoula Office of Planning and Grants, 435 Ryman, Missoula, MT 59802. Telephone: [PHONE REDACTED]. Contact Mike Barton, Senior Grants Administrator, [EMAIL REDACTED] ---PAGE BREAK--- C. PUBLIC COMMENT The City of Missoula conducted a public meeting on Thursday, June 25, 2009, to consider public comment on a proposed amendment to the City’s annual Action Plan that identified the three projects to be supported by Community Development Block Grant stimulus funding (CDBG-R). This meeting was advertised on the City’s web page and in the Missoulian, the local, general circulation newspaper serving the City of Missoula on Sunday, June 21, 2009. The meeting notice announced the City’s intent to receive public comment for a period of eight days prior to the City Council’s consideration and approval of a resolution amending its annual Action Plan to include the three CDBG-R projects.