Jim Fair
The winners of the Black History Month essay contest are recognized with city officials and council members at the Feb. 10 city council meeting. Left to right: Carlina Lara, Cyia Latham-Anderson, Jasmine More, Chandler Back and Amber McNeil. Nichole Schaffer is not pictured.
City Council will hold a public forum tonight at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the distribution of an estimated $263,617 in Community Development Block Grant funds and $83,905 in HOME affordable housing funds that will become available through Housing and Urban Development in July. An estimated $150,000 in block grant program income and $180,000 in HOME program are also expected to become available through the program year.
The Greenville County Redevelopment Authority (GCRA) is also preparing the 2015-2019 plan.
Block grant funds can be used to assist low and moderate income residents, prevent or eliminate slums and blight or to meet an urgent community need where no other funding is available. HOME funds are used to increase the supply of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing for lower income residents.
Residents are invited to comment on past and present housing and community development performance and needs.
• Carlina Lara and Cyia Latham-Anderson were awarded first place in the Black History Month essay contest. There were 137 entries and three places were awarded to the high school and middle school winners.
Lara finished first in the high school division with Amber McNeil second and Nichole Schaffer third. Anderson was first in middle school with Jasmine More second and Chandler Back third.
• The Greer Fire Department was approved to apply for a SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants) that would allow hiring for four positions. The grant, valued at $200,000 ($50,000 per person) a year, according to Fire Chief Chris Harvey, is fully funded for two years, and on the third year the city could keep / fully fund the positions or not.
• The Greer Fire Department reported it maintained its ISO Class II Rating.
• A Youth Citizens Academy will be held this summer, according to Lt. Jim Holcombe of the Greer Police Department. Details will be announced later.
• Linda Holmes was nominated for the Recreation Association Board of Trustees by councilman Kimberly Booker (District 3), seconded by councilman Wayne Griffin (District 2) and unanimously approved
At Tuesday night’s meeting, Council is expected to approve on second reading:
• Annexation of property owned by 1010 Poplar Drive Extension Land Trust and a zoning classification of R-12 (residential single family). The Planning Commission approved the annexation Monday.
• Annexation of property owned by Brandi and Mathew Van Patton at 100 Peachtree Drive and a zoning classification of R-20 (residential single family). The Planning Commission unanimously approved the annexation Monday.