Monthly Report – July 1998

# of Neighborhood Organizations assisted: 6

# of Faith-Based Organizations assisted: 0

# of Municipal Agencies assisted: 2

# of Non-Profits assisted: 4

This report is the final monthly report due to CDBG Operations Inc. under our current contract. An annual report will be forwarded to Robe Betts, Program Manager by the end of August 1998. Since the Neighborhood Technical Assistance Center is due to receive future funding from the Greater East St. Louis Enterprise Community all future reports will be handed in to that body.

As Director of the NTAC I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Diane Bonner, CDBG Director, and Mr. Robert Betts, CDBG Program Manager for their support and assistance over the past two years of NTAC operations.

NTAC staff worked with Ms. Reeves of ASCDC on her resubmission for URPS funds to renovate Virginia Park. A detailed budget and design for plumbing improvements were provided.

NTAC staff prepared a neighborhood outreach packet for use by Alta Sita members to recruit residents for Alta Sita Neighbors. The packets included maps of the block captain areas, a map of the entire neighborhood, door-knocking tips, and sign-up sheets.

NTAC staff assisted ESL-CAN in the preparation of a grant application to the East St. Louis Community Fund. The application was for funds needed to continue operations and expand code enforcement activities. NTAC also supplied one-time staff support to complete minutes for the ESL-CAN monthly meeting.

NTAC staff assisted in gathering data for the ParGo Manor Zoning case at 527 Washington Avenue. In addition staff conducted a site plan review and prepared a presentation for the zoning variance request.

NTAC staff reviewed and edited EPDC’s Youthbuild application and wrote a letter of support. If this project is funded EPDC will provide training and jobs for local youth in the building construction trades. In addition staff spent a total of 3 days working as volunteer labor for the EPDC blitz build project. This project provided 2 single-family homes for low-income neighborhood residents.

NTAC staff attended three meetings of the EZ Core Planning Team and Community Assessment Team. Staff gathered census data and made presentations at the Community Assessment Team meeting.

NTAC staff completed revisions to Good Shepard’s Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) application and conducted monthly utility bill accounting. In addition staff drafted correspondence for Good Shepard to CDBG concerning the 1997 ESG Grant completion.

NTAC staff assisted Ms. Kathleen O’Keefe in preparing an application for The Greater East St. Louis Community Funds to continue operations. The NTAC Director also provided a letter of support for Ms. O’Keefe’s Urban Resource Partnership (URP) grant application.

NTAC assisted in preparing New Spirit application for Greater East St. Louis Community Fund monies needed to expand code enforcement activities.

NTAC staff assisted OPNA in revising their Urban Resource Partnership application. NTAC staff assisted in creating a partnership between OPNA and Uni-Pres Kindercottage for a community gardening and open space classroom project.

NTAC staff met with representatives of this aspiring 501©3 to share information on grantwriting. Staff also reviewed a Teach Inc. funding proposal and compiled a report on possible local funding sources.

NTAC took on the role of Project Coordinator for the WIPNO Community Housing Development Organization project. In this way we have instituted regular meetings with WIPNO Board members and spoken to CDBG and the contractor about possible methods to finish the project.

*See attached receipts and time sheets.