527-F - Application, review and approval.
§ 527-f. Application, review and approval. 1. Each eligible applicant desiring to participate in the youth center facility program established pursuant to this title shall submit an application to the appropriate official of the division for youth. Municipalities applying for new facility project grants may submit joint applications with a not-for-profit corporation with whom they intend to contract for the operation of the youth center. The application shall contain: (a) a description of the proposed or existing program to be operated from this facility in accordance with criteria established by the division; (b) a development timetable acceptable to the division that shall include the projected time schedule for (A) commencement and completion of regulatory and review processes and approvals including procedures for land use; and (B) commencement and completion of construction or rehabilitation. Such timetable shall also include a projected date as to when the facility will be available for utilization and any other information the division deems appropriate; (c) a proposed operating and maintenance budget including a listing of start-up expenses and of the funds which will be used to pay such expenses; (d) an estimate of the total facility project costs as defined herein; (e) such information as the division may require to the extent that such information is necessary to facilitate review and approval of projects consistent with this title. 2. The division shall review all applications with respect to the proposed construction or reconstruction, financial feasibility of the project, contractual responsibilities of the parties, the planned use of the facility for conformance with the purposes of this title and the effect the proposed facility will have on the programs provided by the applicant. As part of its consideration of each application the division shall also consider (a) whether the facility proposed to be financed will support programs which are consistent with the purposes of this title; (b) whether the proposed projects will provide intervention, diversion and delinquency prevention programs which deter youth crime and promote the health, safety or general welfare of the youth community; or advance the physical, mental and social well being of the youth community; or render vital assistance and support to economically or socially disadvantaged youths; and (c) criteria relating to the financial and programmatic commitment of the applicant, including but not limited to, the applicant's history of providing services to youth, and the ability of the applicant to support the maintenance and operation of the facility and its programs. Prior to making its determination to award a grant or a new facility operation agreement to an eligible applicant pursuant to this section, the division shall determine that the eligible applicant has demonstrated ability to carry out all agreements that the division determines reasonably necessary to assure: (i) that the youth center will be utilized as a youth center facility for a period of time to be determined by the division pursuant to section five hundred twenty-seven-g of this title; and (ii) that the operation of the program located in such facility will be consistent with the purposes of this title. 3. Not less than thirty days prior to approving an application pursuant to the provisions of this title, the division shall notify the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly of its intent to make such a grant or an award. Such notification shall identify the recipient and state the proposed location, the estimated project cost and a brief description of the project.4. Upon completion of its review of an application and not less than thirty days after the notification as provided for in subdivision three of this section, the division shall approve or disapprove such application and notify the municipality or the not-for-profit corporation of its decision.