To the editor:
It seems a number of CDBG applications are lacking documentation of estimated costs. Requiring detailed cost estimates is not out of line. This is taxpayers' hard-earned money. More oversight could make limited resources go farther.
As a resident of Brook Creek Neighborhood I was particularly interested in the Salvation Army's application. I first heard of their plans at the Jan. 31 neighborhood meeting when Salvation Army officials made their presentation. We were told what an asset this would be for the neighborhood, how much they wanted to work with us, and that they were still considering several locations.
Their grant application was filed with the Community Development Office on Nov. 30, 2000, a full two months before the neighborhood was approached. In glossing over important questions, the application acknowledged that: 1) the amount requested was $200,000, (question 25), but they had no supporting documentation, (question 35); 2) a contract was pending on the new location, (question 26); and 3) the applicants stated that the process used to obtain opinions from residents and owners affected by this project was "not applicable," (question 30).
Why was the location of the proposed site not disclosed on the application? How did they know they needed $200,000 if they hadn't settled on a site? Why wasn't the neighborhood contacted months earlier? Why didn't city officials ask these questions when the application was submitted?
The HAND Committee meets Thursday. I hope they take a close look at this and other incomplete and poorly documented applications. The city commission should require those seeking grants to answer all questions completely and honestly or those applications should be rejected.
As for the Salvation Army request, it appears to have been a covert operation from the outset. Brook Creek residents have made their opposition clear. If the HAND Committee approves this request and the city commission rubber stamps it, I guess it shows where we stand as a neighborhood, in the eyes of public officials anyway. It would tell me this was a done deal before the neighborhood was let in on the secret.
Don Nelson,
Lawrence
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