Mayor questions effectiveness of block grant funding

The third in a series of three meetings to study the future of federal Community Development Block Grant funding will be held today at 5:30 p.m. at West Central Community Center, 1603 N. Belt St.

Mayor Dennis Hession earlier this month organized a citizen committee to review how the city uses its annual allocation of $4.3 million in block grant money – and other smaller grants – to help low-income neighborhoods and residents.

Hession said he wants to determine if some of the money could be used for economic development projects that might have longer-lasting effects in improving economically disadvantaged areas.

“In the last 14 years, we have spent $105 million in community development block grants, HOME funds, and other community development dollars, yet the Census Bureau tells us that poverty levels in our community development neighborhoods remain unchanged,” Hession said in a prepared statement earlier this month.

About $1 million a year is set aside for 13 low-income neighborhoods, which have volunteer steering committees to decide how the money is spent under federal guidelines.

A meeting last Thursday at the East Central Community Center drew a large number of residents who had lots of questions about the mayor’s ideas, said Marlene Feist, city public affairs officer.

“We certainly want to give people an opportunity to come out and tell us what they think,” Feist said. Public comment is being taken at tonight’s meeting.

One idea, she said, is to possibly combine smaller allocations into larger ones and then move from neighborhood to neighborhood each year in order to accomplish bigger projects.

“I think it’s all open for discussion,” Feist said. “Sometimes we need to step back and say, ‘Hey, are we doing this the right way?’ ”

During his years in office, former Mayor Jim West became involved in a Bush Administration proposal to channel community development money to economic development.

Hession in April forced out longtime community development director Mike Adolfae, reportedly over disagreement about how to reorganize funding.

Members of the citizen review team include chairman Todd Rothrock, who also chairs the city’s Community Development Board; Jean Farmer, director of the Northeast Community Center; Christie Anderson, of the city Human Services Advisory Board; Tracy Reich, of the Ventures managing board; and Jelili Ogundele, of Community Frameworks.

Also, Mark Hurtubise, of Inland Northwest Community Foundation; Tobby Hatley, of Desautel Hege Communications; Karen Byrd, of the city Plan Commission; Jerry Numbers, a representative of neighborhood steering committees; and City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin.

The citizen group was asked to report back to the mayor next month.

In addition to tonight’s meeting, there are meetings next Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at the Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook St., to take public comment, and June 7 at 4:30 p.m. at Spokane City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., to report on recommendations.