MRPC Press Release - June 2012 - MCEC elects Petersen to serve as chairman

MCEC elects Petersen to serve as chairman
Officers elected; Sink-Blair provides project updates

ST. JAMES—The Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation (MCEC) elected John Petersen of Phelps County as chairman during its June 12 meeting at Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC). Petersen replaced John Hewkin of Crawford County.

Additional officers elected included: Marvin Wright of Washington County, vice chairman; David Dudenhoeffer of Osage County, treasurer; and Wayne Langston of Maries County, secretary. Wright replaced Petersen as vice chairman. Dudenhoeffer and Langston were both re-elected.

Kelly Sink-Blair, MRPC project development manager, reported on current project administration.

The Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) regional grant includes five homes to be renovated. Two homes have been completed, and three are in the construction process, Sink-Blair said.

The MHDC Home Repair Opportunity Program (HeRO) grant for the Waynesville Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri (DREAM) community has four homes in the process of being renovated, Sink-Blair said. Staff is having difficulty finding eligible homeowners, but funds are available for six additional homes to be completed for those who qualify.

The contractors for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Sullivan Homes renovation project have been selected. The scope of work has been reduced for the senior housing complex because of asbestos issues, Sink-Blair said.

The Osage County CDBG Disaster grant allows for the renovation of senior apartments in Linn and Hermann and family apartments in Rich Fountain. The bid packets are ready to go and radon testing has been completed. The environmental review is currently in process.

The regional rental rehabilitation project includes 15 single-family rental homes to be renovated. Staff currently has 14 homes prepared for renovations. After the last home has been identified, an environmental review will be completed, Sink-Blair said.

Approved an update to program policies and procedures for the Federal Home Loan Bank Emergency Home Repair Program. The new policy applies when a grant recipient deviates from compliance of the deed restriction required by the homeowner as a condition of the grant agreement.
Learned Missouri Foundation for Health has extended its backpack program grant for one month to allow additional time to complete surveys and reports. The backpack programs are designed to help low-income students with nutritional needs between meals provided at school. MRPC staff has been conducting regional surveys regarding existing programs and program needs.
Approved the current financials and the proposed MCEC budget for FY 2012-2013.
Heard a report from Sink-Blair regarding updates on MCEC Fiscal Year 2011-12 projects.

The next meeting of MCEC is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sept. 11, 2012 at MRPC, 4 Industrial Drive in St. James. Meetings are open to the public.

MCEC is a 501©3 non-profit that works closely with Meramec Regional Planning Commission to address issues in the region and secure funding that can only be accomplished through a non-profit. The board, which meets quarterly, contracts with MRPC to deliver its programs.

For more information on MCEC, contact Connie Willman at 573-265-2993 or by email at cwillman@meramecregion.org.

MRPC News Release