The Community Development Block Grant, or CDBG, had their action plan hearing at 10 a.m. on Jan. 14, 2015. Members of the community voiced their opinions on what they thought the grant should be allocated to.
The funds given by the block grant are used for projects that help to develop and preserve the community, primarily in regards to those that benefit low or moderate-income residents.
Todd White, director of community development, led the hearing.
Those attending the meeting had a wide variety of opinions on where they thought the money should be allocated.
"My mother, that's who I speak for," said L.B. Jackson, a resident of Auburn. "She's an elderly person that's on a fixed income that has a couple of properties that could be brought up to a certain standard, which the city is requiring. They could be an asset to maybe some individuals, and you know (it) puts cash flow back in circulation for the city."
Jackson said there is a need for the grant in the community for landlords of both residential and commercial properties.
"I've heard it addressed in the council meetings that Auburn has grown and developed quite prosperously all over and throughout with the exception of the western side of town," Jackson said. "That remains to be true from my observation from being a resident here for the last 50 or 60 years."
Lisa Liddy, employee for Surge Staffing, said one of the community's needs is transportation for people to get to work. Liddy said her phone starts ringing at 5 a.m. because people cannot get their car started, so she picks them up and takes them to work and prays that their assignments aren't terminated.
"These guys are making $8-9 an hour, they can't keep a car rolling you know on $8-9 an hour," Liddy said. "I have first and second shift people that are working (and) can't get to work. They don't have family, you know, that can help them with this."
Liddy said a contact of hers at the Lee County Transit System said they were booked and do not have the means for more buses, and the ones they do have don't start running until after they need to be at work.
Liddy asked for more buses to solve this issue.
"These managers at these places will end their assignment in a minute, and then they're on the street again," Liddy said. "It's a real need."
Other's present at the meeting were concerned about the homeless people of Auburn, more lighting for their streets, the Boykin Senior Center and mobile home renovation among other issues.
The CDBG funds may be used for things such as relocation and demolition, rehabilitation of residential and non-residential structures, public services, construction and improvements of public facilities, energy conservation, businesses that are willing to carry out economic development and help to create jobs and retention activities.
White said that they have one action plan meeting annually and an approval meeting about a month later.
"I thought it was good, we had good attendance, we had good input, it went really well," White said. "We will prioritize and create a strategy plan and write a document that is for . . . approval at City Council."
The application for CDBG funding is due Jan. 30, 2015. There will be a second public hearing at the Boykin Community Center at 5:00 p.m. on March 11, 2015.
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