Montross ready to put revitalization money to work
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- Published on Wednesday, 05 December 2012 11:58
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Montross Town Council passed a resolution last week to appropriate all Community Development Block Grant funds received towards activities to the Montross Downtown Revitalization project.
The council also voted unanimously to set up a separate CDBG account for project funding as well as a revolving loan fund for businesses that want to upgrade their establishments.
The town is required to pay for the revitalization efforts from local funds first and may apply to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development for reimbursement once every thirty days.
The council decided to transfer funds from the general fund to the CDBG bank account rather than cash in a CD which would result in losing interest. Mayor R. David O’Dell felt there was an adequate amount of money in the general fund to utilize for this purpose.
The CDBG bank account will hold a maximum of $50,000 at any given time but will began with a balance of $3,000 to start. Disbursement of these funds will require two signatures, that of Mayor O’Dell and Town Manager Brenda Reamy.
As the town files for reimbursements, the town will put that money back into the general fund.
The town has had two businesses respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP) for services in connection with the revitalization for signage, roadwork, facade repairs and the creation of a town website. The winner of the contract will be responsible for completing all the work.
In order to carry out the work the Northern Neck Planning District Commission will manage the project and has created a Project Management Plan.
The management plan gives a brief overview of the projects and programs to be completed as well as a time-line for completion of these items.
The plan also names the management team members, made up of mostly business owners, along with a mix of residents, financial, governmental and media stakeholders who will meet monthly, approximately one week before council meetings to ensure that projects are being completed within their deadlines.
The council also transferred funds to purchase a new computer for Town Manager Brenda Reamy.
A total of $1,500 will be encumbered for computers. Reamy will receive a new computer for $817 and is anticipating $150 to $200 for set up and file transfer. Reamy will give her old computer to Public Works. Requests from Miss Dig are no longer sent by fax and will require the use of the computer and a printer to print out work orders. The remainder of the fund will cover any new software upgrades and set up for the computer that will go to public works.
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