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Ms. Wenger suggested ADA improvements for Old Town Hall as a CLG grant idea for several <br />reasons. The facility is not likely to qualify for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) <br />funding. A CLG grant would be a more likely source of funding for the necessary ADA <br />improvements at Old Town Hall. As a grant writer, Ms. Wenger likes the homeowner <br />improvement proj ect idea, which would inj ect money directly into the historic district. In a <br />challenging economy, it would give homeowners incentive and financial assistance for <br />appropriate repairs and involve the residents in historic preservation. Too many houses suffer <br />demolition through neglect. The program could be defined anyway the Landmarks Commission <br />determined including historic homes outside of the district, bonuses for green materials, <br />additional money for low income residents, and the inclusion of sidewalk repairs or <br />replacements. Ratios could be determined as well as maximum grant amounts. This also <br />relieves the burden of locating matching or in kind funds. The homeowners would need to <br />provide the match. Similar programs administered by the City have been very successful. This <br />project could make for a very competitive application. Ms. Wenger likes the idea of obtaining <br />funds to further the GNMMTP but does not think it would be awarded in light of the addition of <br />bike lanes and other features not directly related to historic preservation. <br />Mr. Thomas wondered if the City was awarded a grant for the homeowner project if that would <br />reduce the likelihood of obtaining a grant the following year for relocating the Caster House. <br />Ms. Wenger said she would contact the Ohio Historical Society for answers to that question and <br />others. How many CLGs apply each year? What is the average grant award amount? How <br />much is awarded each year? Has any CLG received back-to-back grants? Who judges the <br />applications and determines the awardees? On what is the scoring based? With those answers <br />she will be able to determine if submitting a grant application in March will affect applying for <br />the Caster House proj ect the following year. <br />Mr. Schock would prefer to leverage funds by requesting a$5000 grant to enter into an <br />agreement with the Cleveland Restoration Society to provide low-interest loans for historical <br />home improvement projects. He feels the Restoration Society plan would assist more <br />homeowners than a one-time $25,000 grant. A representative is available to spealc to the <br />Commission about the program. Mr. Schock will forward information to Director Wenger. <br />COMMUNICATIONS <br />Ohio Historical Society Certified Local Government Newsletter Tlze Network, <br />North Olmsted article <br />Mr. Schumann acknowledged article and commended the City for its accomplishment. <br />2010 Meeting Calendar <br />A draft commission meeting calendar for 2010 was distributed for review. Any necessary <br />changes can be made at the December meeting.