City Desk
By Carolyn Schuk

Headlines about federal and state government gridlock often obscure the critical role of federal and state funding for many essential local services that Santa Clara residents enjoy. In the coming year pedestrian traffic signals will be brighter, homes will be preserved, and jobseekers will get vital training - all thanks to federal and state grants.

Pedestrian Traffic Signals Greener Thanks to Federal Grants

This holiday season some of the brightest lights around town will be Santa Clara's new pedestrian traffic signals, thanks to Silicon Valley Power's (SVP) recently completed lighting replacement project.

With funding from an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Santa Clara's publicly-owned electric utility was able to replace outdated incandescent lighting in nearly 400 pedestrian signals with new LED (light emitting diode) lights and fixtures. The signal replacement project is just one of several funded under the grant.

“These lights are brighter, last longer, help cut maintenance expenses, save energy and are far cheaper to run than the old lights,” said Dennis Ng, Traffic Engineer for the City’s Department of Public Works, in a Nov. 17 press release.

The new lights will annually save over 200,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power annually - that's 2 million kWh over their 10-year life - and keep about 60 tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Plus, the new lights are brighter and far less likely to burn out - all of which increases pedestrian safety.

Applications for $1.4 Million in Federal Community Grants Due December 20

Santa Clara is currently accepting applications for 2012-13 grants under the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnerships Act (HOME) Entitlement Funds. The city anticipates that about $900,000 in CDBG funds and $550,000 in HOME funds will be available for 2012-13.

These federal entitlement funds must be used to meet housing and community development needs for low and moderate income Santa Clara residents. Past projects funded by these programs include the Liberty Tower solar panel replacement, Homesafe domestic violence case management, Bill Wilson Center family therapy services, and the Neighborhood Conservation & Improvement Program (NCIP) low income homeowner repair loans and grants.

Applications for the CDBG and HOME funds, as well as the Santa Clara Redevelopment Agency's Affordable Housing Set-Aside funds are due December 20, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. Applications are available at the city's Housing & Community Services Division, 1500 Civic Center Drive, Santa Clara. For further information, call (408) 615-2490.

State Grant Helps City Library Help Jobseekers

In October, the California State Library-Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) awarded a grant to the Santa Clara City Library. Offered through the State Library's Project BEST (Basic Employment Skills Training), the program will train jobseekers in basic computer literacy, and help food service job applicants obtain the mandatory California food handler's card.

The library received a little under $80,000 to conduct these programs from October 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012. The money will be used in the following ways:

    • $33,811 for the contract services of a project coordinator, a career counselor and workshop presenters
    • $31,311 for as-needed library staff support
    • $7,500 for resources to assist jobseekers
    • $5,000 for advertising and community promotion
    • $1,750 for supplies

City Reserves Grow Modestly

In November, the city put $3 million in its Working Capital reserves and $3.9 million in its General Contingency Reserve for Capital Projects.

However, this is a drop in the proverbial bucket. City policy is to have at least 25 percent of the annual operating budget in the Working Capital reserve fund. That would be $36 million.

Carolyn Schuk can be reached at cschuk@earthlink.net.