E-mail sent today to Commission and City Administration from Finance Advisory Board member re CDBG application:

Good Morning.

I would like to know why the two recommendations made by the Finance Advisory Board regarding CDBG are NOT included in the back-up material for Thursday's meeting. The motions that passed are as follows:

August 18, 2010 - The Finance Advisory Board recommends that the Commission utilize all outstanding CDBG funds for new construction of sidewalks, traffic calming and roadway improvements in the CDBG target area.

March 29, 2011 - The Finance  Advisory Board recommends to the Commission that it eliminate the Housing Initiative and the CDBG funds be reprogrammed for new construction of parks, sidewalks, traffic calming and roadway improvements in the CDBG target area. In addition, the Board recommends that the Commission eliminate the proposed Housing Manager and reallocate the funds back to the Foreclosure Fund.

Clearly, the Finance Advisory Board DOES NOT support the proposed Housing Initiative and given the abundant evidence, realizes that the funds would be better suited to capital improvement projects in the CDBG area. Essentially, they support GIVING THE PUBLIC WHAT THEY ASKED FOR. There has been some confusion as to how Board motions are transmitted to the Commission for their consideration. Given the relevance of the Board's motions, I would think it is imperative that the Commission be made aware of their own Advisory Board's specific recommendations. 

I look forward to seeing you Thursday night.

PS -  At the very least, it would have been nice and I would have appreciated a ANY response to ANY of my prior emails bringing this issue to the attention of the City.  

Jessica Plotkin