Daviess County Fiscal Court will seek $1 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to assist the OASIS women’s shelter with property acquisition.
GRADD Executive Director Joanna Shake said the grant application for CDBG-COVID funding falls under the public services category and will be submitted to the Department for Local Government (DLG).
“DLG is looking for capital projects, in order to utilize all $38 million allocated to the state,” Shake said. “So there’s an open call for different types of projects, other than utility assistance.”
Fiscal Court previously secured funds for utility assistance under the same CDBG-CV program. And while, typically, there are threshold issues for Community Development Block Grants, the COVID dollars are separate and distinct from the traditional allocation received by the state.
“The proposed project would provide funds to the OASIS women’s shelter to acquire property,” Shake announced. “The total estimated project is $1.4 million. Daviess County Fiscal Court will be requesting $1 million on behalf of the shelter, with the remaining funds provided by OASIS.”
OASIS Executive Director Andrea Robinson said the women’s shelter must move from its current location by September 30th. However, they are preparing to relocate as soon as the spring of 2022.
The 65-bed facility provides a safe place for women and children impacted by domestic violence.
“Over the past 40 years, our shelter has been a very congregate operation, which means that everyone is in one space,” Robinson said. “This will allow us to provide non-congregate shelter, where participants and residents will be able to be in their own individual units. It will not only prevent the spread of COVID-19 but provide them individualized space and decrease the risk of further trauma.”
Update on Kelly Cemetery Rd.
Judge-Executive Al Mattingly and County Engineer Mark Brasher addressed the condition of Kelly Cemetery Rd. near the Superfund site, north of Maceo.
“We’re not really sure what happened there over the last winter or early spring,” Brasher said. “But some heavy vehicles or equipment were traveling on that road.”
Brasher told the Court there’s been damage along the side of Kelly Cemetery Road, and specifically along the curves. The Road Department has undercut several sections already, which is why the edge of the road is covered in rock temporarily.
“We anticipate, hopefully next week, having a paving crew in there,” he said.
Brasher said additional work to undercut and re-stabilize the road bed will occur this winter, followed by paving or patching operations.
“I anticipate bringing to Fiscal Curt – whether it’s additional money this Fiscal Year or next – a request to resurface the roadway.”
Judge-Executive Mattingly said the County has resurfaced more than 30 miles of county roads annually for the last 11 years.
The Road Department and contractors has been working feverishly to complete the budgeted road resurfacing program, before the asphalt plants close in December.
Other News:
Fiscal Court approved an agreement with KYTC to replace a bridge over Flat Lick Creek on Lyddane Bridge Rd. South in the Windy Hollow area. American Engineers, Inc. (AEI) will perform the design work.
County Engineer Mark Brasher said the contractor for the Veterinary Services Clinic encountered a problem while doing the excavation work for the employee parking lot. The subgrade was found to be unsuitable. Fiscal Court approved a change order, allowing the contractor to undercut and stabilize the area before proceeding with rock and asphalt.
Fiscal Court awarded a bid for the Kirtley Annex office renovation. The project calls for repairs to the ceiling and walls, creating two additional offices and more efficient storage for the County Attorney’s Office.
Dakoma Carbon will join the Solid Waste Department as a full-time Laborer at the West Daviess County Landfill. Fiscal Court also approved a new Administrative Assistant position for the department.
Wade Jenkins has been appointed to the Paradise Regional Industrial Park Board for a four-year term, 12/1/21 – 12/1/25.
Aaron Wilson and Lisa Castlen will join the OASIS Board for three-year terms, 12/1/21 – 12/1/2024.
Christmas at Panther Creek, the annual holiday light display at Panther Creek Park, will open on Friday, November 26th. The park will be open nightly from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. through January 2nd. Daviess County residents are invited to tour the park and see the displays with more than 700,000 lights. Admission is $5 per vehicle and supports five not-for-profit organizations.
