HOOPESTON — Finding a solution to Hoopeston’s flooding problem was the top issue at the infrastructure meeting at city hall Thursday with representatives of the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies of Springfield, Foth Infrastructure & Environment LLC of Champaign and the city.

"Storm water is the main issue for Hoopeston residents," said Alderman Bill McElhaney. "People want to see something happen (to stop the flooding)."

Although the AmerenCIPS’ catch basin at the railroad Y on Market Street, built last year, has helped tremendously with some of the flooding issues, especially for the businesses in the downtown area and on Front Street, said Mayor Bill Crusinberry, "We haven’t had that 4-inch rain yet (to see how much it helped)."

The flooding problem at the North Side Park area on McCracken Avenue and Market Street still is a huge issue for residents there. Water flows from the northeast farm lands into the city and the sewers take that water but not the water falling inside Hoopeston that falls on top.

"We need to cut the head of the snake off before it gets here," said Mike Streff, lead environmental engineer for Foth Infrastructure & Environment LLC. "The flooding (McCracken and Market) is caused from water coming in from outside town, not inside."

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss what predevelopment planning grants may be used to pay costs associated with developing an application for a proposed water or wastewater project, according to Dawn Kuzel, rural development specialist for the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies, and the steps required to apply for them.

"An income survey needs is the first thing that must be done," Kuzel said. "Hoopeston would need 51 percent of its residents in the low- to moderate-income range to be eligible for grants."

Surveys done by quadrants, suggested by Jean Minick, VISTA housing volunteer, was agreed to be the best plan of action for the surveys. Every fifth or sixth home would be surveyed by volunteers living in that quadrant. Address maps, supplied by Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC, would be marked showing the cross section of all areas of Hoopeston surveyed.

Plans for training volunteers for the city-wide survey was tentatively set for Sept. 10, with the income needs survey following the training session on the same day. About 350 homes would be surveyed, Kuzel said, to send with the application. Letters informing the public of the upcoming survey and why it is being conducted as well as sending information to the media would be sent before Sept. 9.

"Public participation, keeping them informed and getting them involved is necessary for this project. Educate! Educate! Educate!" said Bud Mason, second rural development specialist with the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies. "I can’t stress that enough."

Grants for design and construction through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Commununity Development Assistants, or CDAP, Program would pay up to $100,000 and $350,000, respectfully, of the costs, said Kuzel. She added that the city might be asked to put in a 25 percent leverage fund.

Kuzel also suggest the city contact Shari Lannon, area specialist of the USDA Rural Development office in Champaign, with its preliminary engineering report since the USDA also has grants available to help with costs with the sewer problem.