Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes the City’s execution of grant agreements for the 2023 Neighborhood Grant Program. The 2023 program awards $25,500 to various community groups that support neighborhoods and designates $4,500 for maintenance reserves. The total 2023 budget for the program is $30,000, consistent with prior year funding levels. Budget authority for the program is included within the Planning Division’s 2023 Adopted Operating Budget.
Title
Approving the 2023 Neighborhood Grant Program recommendations, authorizing the execution of agreements required to administer the program, authorizing the Planning Division Director and Finance Director to execute grant agreements on behalf of the City, and authorizing the acceptance of any grant-funded improvements to be located on City-owned lands.
Body
WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Grant Program provides funds to neighborhood associations, business associations, and other community groups for activities that promote strong neighborhoods, and includes grants for Community Enhancement projects and Neighborhood Leadership and Capacity Building activities; and
WHEREAS, 13 eligible grant applications were submitted, requesting a total of $53,075; and
WHEREAS, the City has been awarding Neighborhood Grants for over 20 years and some of the previously funded projects may require repairs or significant maintenance, so any funds not granted or spent each year are available for such work; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Division Staff Review Team convened to review grant applications, make recommendations for funding, and determine conditions to be included in the associated grant agreements; and
WHEREAS, it is common for some of the grant applications to request the use of City-owned lands for the location of a neighborhood project; for example, parks, greenways, stormwater outlots, bike paths, and/or public right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, applications requesting the use of City-owned lands shall require additional review by applicable City staff, as a condition of approval for the grant agreement; and
WHEREAS, in those cases, in addition to the grant agreement, a sponsoring Neighborhood Association shall sign a Letter of Agreement with the City, drafted by the City’s Office of Real Estate Services, whereby the area Neighborhood Association assumes all long-term maintenance and financial responsibilities for the approved grant project, in exchange for the City’s ownership of the approved private improvements on City-owned lands; and
WHEREAS, the City’s ownership of the improvements on City-owned land allows the project to move forward without insurance and annual fee requirements that would otherwise be difficult for a Neighborhood Association to obtain; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Division Staff Review Team recommends awarding 7 grants totaling $25,500 as well as setting aside $4,500 for maintenance reserves, for a total budget of $30,000.00. A copy of said recommendations that are attached hereto and made a part hereof.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council hereby approves the 2023 Neighborhood Grant Program recommendations and conditions made by the Planning Division Staff Review Team and authorizes the Planning Division Director and the Finance Director, to execute all agreements required to administer the program on behalf of the City with the grantees and for the amounts shown in the attachment, in a form approved by the City Attorney; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City shall accept ownership of any private improvements placed upon public lands, in exchange for a sponsoring Neighborhood Association’s written agreement to assume long-term maintenance of said improvements, on a form approved by the City Attorney’s Office; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that any unspent funds may be added to the maintenance reserve for approved grant agreements, or be used for purposes to support neighborhood focused planning efforts or for purposes that are consistent with the Planning Division’s Placemaking Fund.