PVO asks Perry City Council for assistance

jclark@sunmulti.com

 

Perry City Council members held a brief discussion Monday

concerning a request from the Perry Volunteer Outreach for the city to provide

funding for roof repairs.

A memo from City Manager Lee Gilmour, who was absent from

the meeting, states, “PVO has staff but has no funding for installing metal

roofs on the homes of persons unable to afford any improvements.”

Brenda King, the director of administration, told council

members that the funding for the request, if approved, would come from the

Hazard Mitigating Fund. The fund currently has a balance of $21,624, and an

outstanding balance of $31,921, which the Habitat for Humanity is paying back

on a quarterly basis.

Gilmour suggested in the memo that council members approve

the project subject to a mutual agreement contract.

King provided a list of factors that should be considered.

Some of the factors include “funds provided as a grant, which would eventually

deplete the available funds,” “property owner is required to make application for

funds; however, funds could be limited to owner occupied properties only,”

“assistance provided to low to moderate income persons,” and “require repayment

agreement for amounts in excess of $5,000.”

She told council that the roof repairs could cost around

$2,000 per repair, to which Councilman Randall Walker said that would mean only

10 houses could be repaired with the city’s funds.

Council members had several questions concerning the

request, such as will the funding only go to repair roofs and what happens if

the homeowner were to sell the house after the city funds the repairs.

King said she would provide council with the answers to

their questions. The council took no action.

HHJ News