Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes the use of up to $120,000 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support capital improvement projects in the Darbo, Worthington, and Starkweather Creek neighborhoods. The proposed resolution allocates the funds to Community GroundWorks, Inc. and the City Parks, Engineering, and Traffic Engineering Divisions. The Community Development Division’s 2017 Adopted Operating Budget and 2018 Executive Budget have appropriated sufficient funding for the proposed neighborhood revitalization projects.
Title
Authorizing the use of up to $120,000 of CDBG funds to implement neighborhood improvement projects which address objectives identified in the Darbo-Worthington-Starkweather Creek Neighborhood Plan; and authorizing the Mayor and the City Clerk to enter into agreements with agencies to implement the projects.
Body
BACKGROUND
The Community Development Division (CDD) and CDBG Committee, in cooperation with the Planning Unit, sponsored a neighborhood planning effort in the Darbo, Worthington and Starkweather Creek neighborhoods in 2016 and 2017. The Plan, adopted by the Common Council in September 2017 included implementation priorities designed to address specific objectives.
The CDD’s Adopted 2017 Operating Budget authorized the use of up to $60,000 of CDBG funds for the implementation of eligible projects in the Darbo-Worthington-Starkweather Creek Neighborhood (DWS) Plan’s three neighborhoods. Up to an additional $60,000 was included for the same purpose in the CDD’s submitted 2018 Operating Budget. Neighborhood residents selected the following four projects, which (A) address implementation priorities among those identified in the Plan; and (B) were determined to be eligible for CDBG funding:
1. Improvements to Worthington and Reger Parks, to be implemented by the City's Parks Division for up to $55,000 in federal CDBG funds; and,
2. Improvements to Starkweather Creek, to be implemented by the City’s Engineering Division for up to $35,000 in federal CDBG funds; and,
3. Installation of energy efficient street lights in the Worthington neighborhood, to be implemented by the City’s Traffic Engineering Division for up to $10,000 in federal CDBG funds; and,
4. Installation of a new community garden in the Darbo Worthington neighborhood, and improvements to the St. Paul community garden, to be implemented by Community GroundWorks, Inc. for up to $20,000 in federal CDBG funds.
ACTION
WHEREAS, the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 permits the City of Madison to assist community agencies in the development of innovative projects which provide benefits to strategically identified low- and moderate-income areas; and,
WHEREAS, up to $60,000 in federal CDBG funds were authorized in the Community Development Division’s Adopted 2017 Operating Budget for the implementation of eligible projects in the Darbo, Worthington and Starkweather Creek neighborhoods; and up to an additional $60,000 was included in the CDD’s submitted 2018 Operating Budget for the same purpose; and,
WHEREAS, the CDBG Committee has reviewed the specific funding recommendations from the Darbo-Worthington-Starkweather Creek Neighborhood Plan and recommends their adoption, in order to promote further progress with the adopted Plan;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council approves the provision of CDBG funds for the four projects described and enumerated herein, at funding levels not to exceed those listed; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Common Council authorizes the execution of inter-agency agreements as appropriate for projects 1, 2 and 3; and authorizes the Mayor and the City Clerk to enter into an agreement with Community GroundWorks, Inc. as appropriate for project 4.