SANTA PAULA : City Distributes Federal Funds

Facing twice the demand for federal grant funds this year compared to last, the Santa Paula City Council has agreed to spend more than half of the $293,000 available to replace dilapidated playground equipment in the city’s parks.

The council also agreed this week to give $50,000 to a city-run housing rehabilitation program, $35,000 each to the community hospital and the library, and $23,000 toward the purchase of a youth center.

At the same time, the council denied the requests of 19 nonprofit groups and city departments for help with projects ranging from a daily meal service for the elderly to legal aid for the indigent. The requests amounted to about $1.2 million.

“I hate this time of the year because we are unable to help so many good causes that deserve support,” said Mayor Margaret Ely.

More federal aid may become available later this year if the Clinton Administration follows through on promises for additional aid to cities, said City Administrator Arnold Dowdy.

Dowdy said afterward that county officials have sent out feelers asking the city which projects could be initiated within a 90-day period if federal funds are forthcoming.

In addition to assisting the financially troubled library and hospital, the council agreed to spend much of the remaining money on projects targeted to help the city’s youth.

Besides donating $23,000 to a group of residents who are trying to purchase a building for use as a youth center, the council agreed to spend $150,000 to install handicapped-accessible playground equipment at the city’s parks.

Most existing equipment is more than 20 years old and some has been removed, said Mel Howery, the city’s recreation director.