RIC applied to the city to alter the use of $12,600 in Community Development Block Grant money it was awarded last December. The money is for RIC's "Violence No More" program, which is an effort to create a community-wide effort to curb violent crime.
The group writes in its proposal to the city:
"We cannot just demand the Police Chief to solve the problem-nor can we make the demand for the Mayor, Racine Unified School Board, Church leader, or the business community. Every one needs to share in the responsibility in the elimination of violence."RIC's media-training classes for youths will be held at the Bray Center and the MLK Center. Here's the budget for RIC's proposed program, which was introduced at City Council Tuesday night.
The item was referred to the Community Development Committee.
Construction down in city
New construction was down 36 percent in July compared to a year earlier, according to the Building Department's Monthly Report.
The department reported $1,292,213 in new construction in the city last month, which amounted to $33,594 in building fees. Last year the city reported $2,031,415 in new construction and $46,258.60 in permit fees.
Comparing this year to last, you can see sizable declines in routine home maintenance. For example, $180,751 was spent on new roofs in July compared to $350,873 in July 2008. Spending on siding, air conditioning, heating and fences all dropped at least 20 percent over the past year.
That, in turn, led to a $12,664 decline in permit fees for July alone, which another drag on the city's budget.
New contractor awarded work on City Hall
The low-bidder on a contract for work on the exterior of City Hall has pulled out of the job.
Arnie Christiansen Mason Contractor, of Franksville, bid $116,053 for tuckpointing work on City Hall and was awarded the contract on July 7. But the company has since pulled out the job, leaving RAM Construction Services of MI as the lowest bidder at $171,526. RAM was awarded the job on Tuesday night.
It's the second contract for exterior work RAM has received this year. The company is completing a $69,325 city contract for tuckpointing work on Memorial Hall. That contract was awarded July 7.
Stein sworn in
Kelli Stein was sworn in Tuesday night as the newest member of the City Council. Stein will represent the 10th District, which was without an aldermen when Tom Friedel resigned to become city administrator. Stein was selected from eight candidates who applied to fill the seat until an election is held next April.
