Page 56 - Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

thirty-foot steel poles spaced 180 feet apart. Staff discussed the project with Oncor Electric and estimated the cost at
$177,000.

In past years, these grant funds have been used to build and expand the Senior Citizens Center, to construct and
renovate rest room facilities at City parks, to purchase a multi-passenger van to transport senior citizens, and to
construct sidewalks and wheelchair ramps. The 2004-05 Budget included CDBG funds to construct drive approaches,
sidewalks, and other improvements for portions of three streets in the CDBG target area of Benbrook. In 2005-06,
CDBG funds were designated for the second phase of this street and sidewalk improvement project in the CDBG target
area of Benbrook. In 2006-07, CDBG funds were designated for the flood protection in the CDBG Target Area (Timber
Creek Culvert – Increased Capacity Project). In 2007-08, CDBG funds were used for additional flood protection to
remove approximately four residences on Usher Street from the 100-year floodplain. In 2008-09 CDBG funds were
used for sidewalks on Bryant Street and Usher Street. In 2009-10, two projects were completed with CDBG funds: (1)
additional sidewalks for Usher Street south of Mercedes Street and (2) paving of a portion of an alley between
Mercedes Street and Cozby North Street. For 2010-11, CDBG funds were used for four projects: (1) contract with Fort
Worth Transportation Authority for elderly and handicapped transit services, (2) salary costs for Senior Citizens
Coordinator, (3) improved handicapped access within Dutch Branch Park, and (4) allocation of funds for housing
rehabilitation. For 2011-12 two projects were funded: construction of an alley between Warden Street and Park Center
Street and allocation of funds for housing rehabilitation. In 2012-13 Budget funds were expended for housing
rehabilitation and for street illumination and lighting. The 2013-14 Budget included funds for an alley between Usher
Street and Wade Hampton Street and for creation of a playground at the pocket park on Bryant Street. The last project
financed with CDBG funds was the construction sidewalks on Bellaire Drive in 2016-17.

In the 2013-14 fiscal year, a major change was made to the City’s participation in the Community Development Block
Grant program administered through Tarrant County. From 1975 to this year, Benbrook had applied for a portion of
the funds each year and was awarded grant funds specifically for the approved projects. Due to a reduction in overall
grant funds, Benbrook’s participation has been reduced to every other year. Since funds from the Community
Development Block Grant were received in 2015-16, none are scheduled for the 2016-17 fiscal year.

The change in the Community Development Block Grant program has no impact on Benbrook’s participation in two
CDBG programs administered by the County. In June 2014, the Council adopted a resolution to continue participating
in the Home Investment Partnership Program and the Emergency Solutions Grant Program, The Home Investment
Partnership Program provides funds for building, buying, and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or
homeownership, or providing rental assistance to low-income residents. The Emergency Solutions Grant Program
provides services for emergency shelters and short-term rental assistance to low-income residents.
CITY OF BENBROOK 2018-19 ANNUAL BUDGET
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