ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET SESSION

 

MARCH 7, 2023

 

At an ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET SESSION of the Town Council of the Town of South Kingstown, County of Washington, in the State of Rhode Island, held at the Town Hall, in and for said Town on the 7^th day of March 2023 at 6:30 PM.

 

PRESENT:     Town Council

Rory H. McEntee, President

Patricia A. Alley

Deborah D. Bergner

Jessica L. Rose

 

 

Council Vice President Michael K. Marran is absent due to a death in the family.

 

Also present: James M. Manni, Town Manager; Jamie Rabbitt, Director of Planning; and Lucas Murray, Director of Administrative Services.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance is given. The Land Acknowledgement Statement is read.

 

James Manni, Town Manager notes that this evening’s Budget Work Session is for an overview of the FY 2023-2024 Human Services and Outside Agencies (HSOA) grant program, and to hear from the agencies about their requests. There is $425,000 available for HSOA grants. Applications for Affordable Housing Initiatives will also be considered, for which the Town Council has allocated $375,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. 

 

Jamie Rabbitt, Director of Planning reports that 5 applications were received for the ARPA Affordable Housing Initiative grants from the following: Scott V. Hallberg requested $375,000; Peace Dale United Housing, Inc. requested $49,000; Sidecar Capital, LLC requested $250,000; Jonnycake Center for Hope requested $200,000; and the South Kingstown Housing Authority requested $100,000. The total amount requested is $974,000; funds allotted to this program are $375,000. The Town Council designated these funds to support investments in the creation of new affordable housing in South Kingstown.

 

The Town established a review panel to evaluate the applications received. Members of the review panel include the Director of Planning; Richard Bourbonnais, Director of Public Services; Theresa Murphy, Director of Leisure Services; Maria Mack, Planning Board Chair; Brian Wagner, Senior Planner; and Amy Crawford, Member, Affordable Housing Collaborative Committee.  Their findings are as follows:

 

The Hallberg application was incorrectly submitted and provided inadequate information to support an award.

 

Peace Dale United Housing, Inc. applied for funds to support maintenance and rehabilitation projects at their existing, low-income, elderly housing facility. Since that effort wouldn’t create new housing and they filed an identical funding request for an HSOA grant, it was determined that this request should be considered under that program.

 

The application of Sidecar Capital, LLC proposes to build a “cottage style” multi-unit residential housing project on the Watson Home property on Waites Corner Road in West Kingston. That property is owned by the Town and has deed restrictions relating to local senior services. Due to questions regarding the financial feasibility of the project and the requirement to extend the Town’s sewer lines to the property, this project is not recommended for funding.

 

The application of the Jonnycake Center for Hope proposes redevelopment of a fire-damaged duplex at 54-56 Kersey Road into a four-unit apartment building, all of which will be deed restricted as affordable housing. Funding is requested for architectural design and structural, mechanical and electrical engineering services and permitting costs. The building plans will also be re-used on the applicant’s adjoining property at 44-46 Kersey Road. The applicant currently owns the property and the project is ready to proceed subject to final design work and permitting. This project is recommended for grant funding of $200,000 as requested.

 

The application of the South Kingstown Housing Authority (SKHA) seeks funding to support redevelopment master planning at its Curtis Corner Road and High Street low/moderate income housing properties. Units will be deed restricted and dedicated to families earning 80% or less than the Area Median Income. It is recommended that this application be considered for an amount not to exceed the $100,000 requested, with the Town having a seat at the table for review of the Requests for Proposal.

 

Discussion ensues regarding the amount of the SKHA request.

 

Discussion ensues regarding the Sidecar Capital proposal.

 

Discussion ensues regarding the panel’s recommendation for grants totaling $300,000, leaving remaining funds of $75,000. Mr. Rabbitt notes the recommendation is to hold those funds for re-allocation later, noting that some projects are not yet ready to proceed.   

 

Angela Sharkey, President, Peace Dale United Housing and Dr. John Golberg, Board member present testimony regarding the organization. They have been providing affordable housing for 40 years to low income and special needs populations and this is a first time request for Town support. The most pressing items that they are seeking $49,000 in maintenance funding for are hot water tanks, sidewalk hazards, outside doors, ADA compliance, and laundry facilities. There are 35 units and the organization is run by volunteers. Some long-term funding is available through the Department of Agriculture.

 

Kevin Diamond, Member testifies that he is an architect who runs Sidecar Capital, a design/build company and this is a community development proposal with 25% affordable units.

 

Discussion ensues regarding the proposed amount of affordable housing units being sought are comparable to a comprehensive permit project.

 

Kate Brewster, Executive Director discusses the Jonnycake Center’s current housing projects on Kingstown Road, and notes this application is for a building on Green Street and Kersey Road.

 

Christopher Little, Board Chair, South Kingstown Housing Authority discusses that SKHA Services is a 501C3 affiliate of the Housing Authority. Their request is for housing on Curtis Corner Road and the Champagne Heights project on High Street. They are also seeking state grant funding, and funding from the RI Foundation in addition to this request for their master plan.

 

Discussion ensues.

 

The Director of Planning clarifies that SKHA’s application request is for specific expenses, and some expenses are not included in the Town panel’s recommendation for $100,000 in funding.

 

Further discussion ensues.

 

The Town Clerk is directed to place a resolution on the next Town Council agenda for approval of ARPA funding for Affordable Housing Initiatives to the Jonnycake Center in the amount of $200,000 and to the SKHA in an amount not to exceed $100,000.

 

The Town Council takes a brief recess.

 

Luke Murray, Director of Administrative Services presents the Human Services and Outside Agencies (HSOA) program and requirements. Funding has been taken out of the Operating Budget this year, and the Town will utilize ARPA funds for this program. Yearly funding in the amount of $7,000 has been included in the Operating Budget for Celebrations which supports the Veterans Day Parade, Memorial Day Parade, and the Fireman’s Parade.  The Town’s annual dues of $15,955 to the RI League of Cities and Towns has been moved from the HSOA program to the Town Manager’s Budget. The League represents municipal interests on the state and federal levels. The HSOA grants program has $425,000 available; the 21 requests received total $443,485 or $18,485 over the allocation.  

 

Steven Pinch, Chief of the Union Fire District is present and requests funding in the amount of $10,000 for the scholarship program for volunteer firefighters, and ongoing recruitment and retention efforts for the Union and Kingston Fire Districts.

 

Kate Brewster, Executive Director, Jonnycake Center for Hope is present and requests $100,000 in funding to help transform their former thrift store into a youth center. The total cost of that project is $400,000, and they have applied for grants from the Champlin Foundation.

 

Jason Colonies, Executive Director of Education Exchange is present. They provide free Adult Basic Education, GED, and workforce training programs. Their request is for level funding in the amount of $15,000 for ongoing operation and capital expenses, and expansion of adult enrichment programs.

 

Mark Collins is present and describes the Chris Collins Foundation which supports a student-led mental health awareness program at South Kingstown High School and Curtis Corner Middle School. The request is for $25,000, or $20,000 more than the current year allocation. Funding supports community training and informational events.

 

Joe Tomchek, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club of Newport is present. The request is for funding in the amount of $30,000 to sustain opportunities for 75 South Kingstown youth to attend their summer camp in 2023.       

 

Michelle LePage, Executive Director, Domestic Violence Resource Center is present and requests funding in the amount of $10,000 to support their helpline and provide advocacy and support to victims of domestic violence.

 

Russ Partridge, Executive Director, Welcome House of South County is present and requests funding in the amount of $20,000 to support WARM Welcome House of Peace Dale’s 17 bed emergency shelter. They provide a community outreach program and financial assistance for housing.

 

Patricia Harmon, Board member, Neighbors Helping Neighbors is present and requests funding in the amount of $15,000 to support their free home repair for low income families. Discussion ensues relative to allocating this funding for South Kingstown residents.

 

Southern RI Volunteers is represented by Lindsay Tanner, Executive Director. The request is for funding of $5,000. The organization provides independent aging assistance services, delivering meals and groceries and providing transportation. Ms. Tanner notes that funding stays in South Kingstown.

 

Tony Jarvis, President, Wakefield Village Association is present and requests level funding of $5,000 to create events in downtown Wakefield including holiday lighting on Main Street, River Fire, and for tree lights, crossing flags and various infrastructure improvements in Wakefield Village.

 

Erica Luke, Executive Director, South County History Center is present and discusses the archive museum and research center, and their collection. Their request is for $35,500 to invest in their digital infrastructure so they can create an online database of their collections.

 

Joe Viele, Executive Director, Southern RI Chamber of Commerce is present and requests funding in the amount of $15,000 to be used to support the business community, educational programs, the local gift certificate program, holiday decorations, and educational opportunities. They operate a tourist and information center, and support a scholarship program that donates 2 $1,000 awards.      

 

The Director of Administrative Services reviews the VFW Post #916 request for funding in the amount of $10,000 to help support their Washington County Veterans Resource Center.

 

Therese Martin, Peace Dale Neighborhood Revitalization is present and requests funding in the amount of $10,000 for free community events and village projects.

 

Murray Gates, Friends of Kingston Station is present.  This new request for funding in the amount of $13,500 would be used to protect the Kingston railroad signal tower from further deterioration. Projects include repairing the roof, doorway and exterior stairway.

 

Susan Gordon, Manager, Friends of Kinney Faella Gardens is present. This new request for funding in the amount of $24,200 would be used to construct a handicapped accessible loop through the gardens. Ms. Gordon amends the request to $21,000. Discussion ensues regarding mobility issues with the type of road bed planned.

 

A request was submitted by the Friends of the Saugatucket for funding in the amount of $2,785 for water quality monitoring, litter cleanup supplies and education materials.

 

A new request for funding in the amount of $25,000 is presented by Jen Ferry, Executive Director and Kathleen Carland, Development Director, South County Art Association. The request would meet the match of a Challenge Grant from the RI State Council on the Arts to create ADA access to their paint and pottery studios via a handicapped ramp.  

 

Lynn Wagner, volunteer Board member and Benjamin Allis, Executive Director, YMCA Camp Fuller present a new request by the South County Museum for $10,000 to partner with Camp Fuller for campers to attend classes at the museum.

 

Angela Sharkey, President, Peace Dale United Housing and Dr. John Golberg discuss their request for funding in the amount of $49,000 for maintenance for hot water tanks, sidewalk hazards, outside doors, ADA compliance, and laundry facilities.

 

David Stephenson, Gabe Ausfresser and Stephen Toro, Conductor of the Wakefield Concert Band are present and discuss their new funding request in the amount of $13,500 for percussion instruments and operating costs.

 

The Director of Administrative Services reviews that the total amount requested by these organizations is $440,285 which exceeds the amount of $425,000 allocated in the ARPA program for HSOA grants by $15,285. The Town Council will determine the allocation of HSOA funds at their next regular meeting on March 13^th.   

 

Adjourn at 9:35 PM.

 

Susan M. Flynn, CMC

Town Clerk