NILES — Niles City Council began setting the groundwork to potentially receive federal community development grants during a city council meeting 6 p.m. Monday, at the Niles Fire Department Complex, 1345 E. Main St.

Among 11 agenda items the councilmembers unanimously approved, with councilmember Jessica Nelson absent, were two regarding Community Development Block Grants, which are given to communities by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The grants are given to neighborhood, economic and community service development programs in designated municipalities that benefit low- and moderate-income individuals, eliminate blight and address an urgent need.

First, the council voted for the city’s community development department to host a public hearing at 5:55 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 to receive comments for a proposed CDBG plan. According to city documents, the plan describes the previous year’s actions which address needs and objectives relevant to community development.

The city must submit such a plan to the CDBG program each year to remain part of it.

The council then agreed to enter the city into a funding approval agreement with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funding agreement will be approved by the department if it approves Niles’ action plan, opening up the potential for thousands of dollars in funding for development projects.

According to a draft 2019 annual action plan for the CDBG program, the city expects to receive $278,000 from the program between Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, 2020.

The council also approved other items that have a direct impact on the community.

Niles Main Street DDA was approved to host its 16th annual Hunter Ice Festival in the downtown district from Jan. 17 to 19, 2020. Among specific requests were increased electricity use for ice carving and lighting, the ability to close off and permit specific parking spaces and to have reserve officers when attendance is high.

A formal recognition of a stronger partnership between the city, the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service was also approved. The goal was to develop and maintain local historic preservation programs and to encourage the state and federal agencies to aid in furthering those goals.

A $36,500 purchase of a Ford Explorer Hybrid vehicle for police use was approved, too. It would replace another vehicle that was nearing 100,000 miles of use.

The following items were also approved Monday:

• A five-year lease agreement with technology company Pitney Bowes for a folder and sorter machine and a postage meter, which city documents state could save the city about $74 a month.

• The establishment of a retirement plan for current and future employees with Municipal Employees’ Retirement System as an additional option to its current John Hancock retirement plan of the same type.

• A payment of expenses associated with electrical infrastructural relocation of 322 E. Main St., the site of the former post office. This property is planned to be converted into apartments, but the city officials said the Michigan State Housing Development Authority has been slow to produce necessary documents, making maintenance costs increase.

• An agreement with ACT Telecom, Inc., of Lansing, to establish a high-speed telecommunications network.