Burbank Leader , CA
LATimes.com
April 24 2004
Twelve groups to get a piece of CDBG money
City expects to receive about $1.6 million in federal grants for
2004-05 fiscal year.
By Jackson Bell, The Leader
BURBANK – The federal pie was up for its yearly slicing as City
Council portioned more than $1.6 million in grant money among several
community groups and city programs.
“This is the most difficult night of the year,” Councilman Dave
Golonski said at Tuesday’s council meeting. “It’s nice to be able to
provide support to a lot of worthy organizations, but hard to make
the tough choices between how much they get.”
The annual grants, given by the federal government to be doled out by
the city, will bring about $250,000 to a dozen community groups. The
city will use remaining funds for public services and capital
projects, including street improvements along Olive Avenue and Third
Street and code enforcement.
The Burbank Unified School District received $70,000 – the largest
amount – to run its summer youth-employment program. Other recipients
of significant grants include the Burbank Temporary Aid Center,
Burbank Family YMCA and Boys and Girls Club.
“We’re grateful for the continued support,” BTAC staffer Wendy Bocci
said Friday. “It’s very much needed and very well used.”
Bocci said the money will be used to help cover such expenses as
utility assistance, shelter and gasoline vouchers.
But not every organization will receive money. The Armenian Relief
Society, an agency that serves the needs of local Armenian Americans,
was not offered funding.
“I think they’re doing great stuff and I support their efforts,”
Golonski said. “I just don’t think it is as inclusive as it needs to
be to qualify for public funding.”
Burbank expects to receive the money granted by the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development later this year.
In addition, the city could receive nearly $900,000 from the HOME
Investment Partnership Program, and city projects to benefit will be
approved by the council at a later date.