HUNTINGTON BEACH : Public Hearing Set on Block Grant Funds

A public hearing will be held May 17 on recommendations for spending $1.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funds.

Proposals from the 11-member Citizens Advisory Board include an allocation of $55,000 for a hoist to ease disabled people from their wheelchairs into the swimming pool at the City Gym.

The advisory board also suggests making $100,000 available for local residents for repairs to homes damaged by the expansion and contraction of unstable soil.

Other proposed city projects and their allocations include:

* Social services, $225,000, which would be granted to local agencies that provide services for low- and moderate-income residents.

* Code enforcement, $62,982, which would pay for one officer to enforce housing codes in specified areas.

* Graffiti removal, $128,000, which would pay for 10 temporary part-time workers and one full-time maintenance worker to provide a variety of cleanup services in certain neighborhoods, including picking up trash and abandoned furniture and removing graffiti.

* Down payment assistance, $100,000, which would help low- and very-low-income families make down payments on homes. First-time home buyers would receive preference.

* Public works design, $100,000, which would be used for the design of curbs, gutters, sidewalks and alleys.

* Street lights, $201,000, which would be used for installation of street lights in the Oakview, Oldtown and other neighborhoods.

In addition, $265,000 would be used for administering the Community Development Block Grant program, and another $118,920 would be set aside as a contingency fund for previous projects that have encountered cost overruns.

Residents unable to attend the 7 p.m. public hearing may review a copy of the proposals in the Economic Development Department office at the Civic Center. They can submit their comments to the city in writing.