Nevada City Council Passes on Grant Funding Opportunity Cranky Council Members Can't Concentrate on Chance for Free Cash Published on Jan 28, 2010 - 10:31:08 AM
NEVADA CITY, Calif., Jan. 28, 2010 - At yet another long meeting, some Nevada City council members couldn't bear to focus on one of the final items on the agenda. Three and a half hours into Wednesday's meeting, a grant application for $1.5 million was dismissed. Councilmember Barbara Coffman simply didn't understand what the project was all about; Councilmember Sally Harris felt rushed into making a decision and no amount of explanation by Mayor Senum had any effect.
What's an EcoDistrict?
Tamara White, a project associate with Sustainable Community Strategies (SCS), presented the proposal for Nevada City to the council: "EcoDistricts are systems - distinct neighborhoods that are highly energy and resource efficient; capture, manage, and reuse a majority of energy, water, and waste on site; enhance human health and well-being; and are home to a rich diversity of habitat, open space, and green transportation options."
Specifically, Nevada City would apply for a grant to retrofit 250 homes with a grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Other funding sources and opportunities can be identified and there would be no cost to the city, neither in grant-writing expenses or staff time. Basically, SCS would apply for a planning grant on behalf of the city, then implement the same strategy that won awards for the Truckee Railyard project among others.
Cranky, Tired and Fussy
Alas, the hour was late and the attention span short. White shortened her presentation to accommodate the council, but it wasn't enough. Saying she had read the supporting documents and still didn't understand what this was all about, Councilmember Coffman proceeded to berate White for a general vagueness and lack of details.
This was in stark contrast to the last grant proposal the council rejected. American Rivers proposed to apply for a grant for a stormwater collection system on public property within city limits. The proposal included detailed descriptions, map and drawings.
At the time, Coffman rejected the plan, saying she was offended the proponents 'presumed' the use of city property. The city declined to apply for the grant within the deadline. Ultimately, American Rivers went to Nevada County with a similar proposal. The county is now the recipient of $395,000 for a stormwater capture and bioswale project at the Rood Center.
Councilmember Sally Harris felt rushed into a decision. The deadline to apply for the $1.5 million in potential funding is coming up quick, so Harris suggested considering an application for a later round of funding.
According to White, the next round has a much smaller payout potential. Instead of $1.5 million, $150,000 would be the limit.
In the end, council decided to consider a possible application at a later date.
Editor's note: It's regrettable for a city with a yearly budget of under $5 million to delay an application for $1.5 million just because council members are sleepy.
Other Business
Council heard a report from the committee working on a new design for Calanan Park. The report is available from the city's web site (starting on page 5 of the pdf file)
Public comment centered mostly around the artifacts currently on display in the park and the suggested tree removal. Council took no action since this was only the presentation of a report. Public workshops for more input from the community will be scheduled before any decision is made.
Smoking is now prohibited in city-owned parks and trails. Citing health risks and littering, council voted 4-1 (Coffman No) to prohibit all smoking. No plan to install cigarette butt receptacles (aka ashtrays) to solve littering was discussed.
The meeting began at 6:30 p.m. and was adjourned at 10:14 p.m.
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