Staff says audits nearly complete as council pursues grants for Carver School reuse and water-line upgrades

During public comment and staff remarks, the council discussed grant-seeking to support facility reuse and infrastructure work. A staff member said Ellen has secured several grants for the airport and that staff are pursuing a grant for the Carver School to identify reuse options.

The same staff member told the council, "We'll be caught up in November," referring to audits and documentation needed to qualify for many state and federal grants. Residents raised the state's timetable to replace certain water lines by 2028 and noted grant programs that could provide starting funding (a speaker cited a roughly $250,000 starting figure for some water-line grants).

Staff said some grants do not require full audit clearance and that they are actively preparing applications. The council did not approve a specific grant application during the hearing; staff indicated they would proceed with applications as documentation is completed.

Speakers noted that losing eligibility for grants can cost the city significant funds and urged timely audit completion to restore access to external funding.