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Home My WebLink About96-291 Resolution No. 96-291 RESOLUTION APPROVING GRANT RECIPIENTS UNDER THE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program has been established to provide financial assistance and incentives for neighborhood groups and organizations in the development and implementation of projects benefitting their respective neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, in 1996 applications have been made by twelve citizen groups for twenty-five projects under the Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program; and WHEREAS, said applications have been reviewed and recipients selected by the City Council . NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, that grant assistance be provided under the Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program to the following organizations : Organization Submission Title Grant Central Park Towers The Planting Posse $ 1, 123 Tenant Association Hillcrest PTH Flagpole Enhancement $ 2 ,957 Northeast Neighborhood St. Francis Park $ 4,428 Association (NENA) Improvements Parkwood Homeowners Parkwood Playground $15, 000 Association Save Our Streets (SOS) Neighborhood Lighting $ 2, 250 SouthEast Elgin Bike Path Access at $ 1, 500 Neighbors (SEEN) Lessenden Place SouthEast Elgin Adopt a Corner Plantings $ 1,300 Neighbors (SEEN) Washington Heights Right of Way Beautification $ 5, 000 Neighborhood Women' s Association Total $33,558 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the projects shall be in conformance with all applicable codes and ordinances . s/ Kevin Kelly Kevin Kelly, Mayor Presented: October 9, 1996 Adopted: October 9, 1996 Omnibus Vote: Yeas 7 Nays 0 Attest: s/ Dolonna Mecum Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk 1EII• • 111 m 4 OF Flo (15:i - 1 Agenda Item No . ........) Ado' June 3 , 1996 TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Richard B. Heiwig, City Manager SUBJECT: Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program PURPOSE The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the Mayor and members of the City Council with information to consider the Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program (NIGP) for 1996 . BACKGROUND rFunding for a neighborhood grant program was included in the 1996 budget for the first time ( $70, 000 ) . Neighborhood im- provement programs have been successful in many cities such as Seattle, Washington, Lakewood, Colorado, St. Petersburg, Florida and Orlando, Florida in stabilizing and enhancing residential areas . The proposed competitive program is intended to help neighbor- hood groups identify priorities , work collaboratively on developing solutions, and provide a means to realize comple- tion of neighborhood priorities . Topics addressed in this memorandum concerning the program include : * Eligible Projects * Reporting/Payments * Eligible Applicants * Matching Funds/ * Evaluation Criteria/Selection Participation * Time-frames/Selection Eligible Projects Eligible neighborhood improvement projects would have some or all of the following characteristics : rm. * Be of general benefit to the neighborhood. * Be located on publicly-owned property. * Provide programs free of charge and open to the public . Neighorhood Improvement Grant Program May 31, 1996 Page 2 Take place within the boundaries of the neighbor- hood. * Have goals accomplished in twelve months or less . • Have a minimum City cost of $1, 000 and a maximum of $15, 000 per neighborhood ( could be several small projects ) . • Provide new sidewalk/bikepath connections . • Provide right-of-way landscaping . • Provide play equipment or picnic tables in a neigh- borhood park. • Improve entrances or signage that reinforce neigh- borhood identifications . • Improve neighborhood safety. • Provide neighborhood newsletters . • Demonstrate traffic calming measures such as round- abouts , or street closures . • Protect/enhance the environment through educational programs , waterway plantings and restorations . * Neighborhood image enhancements such as advertising in real estate publications . • Conduct neighborhood picnics and events . • Conduct youth trips to camps . • Support health agencies in the neighborhood to provide health screenings (blood pressure tests , flu shots , immunization clinics ) . Rent the YMCA or YWCA pool/facility for neighbor- hood parties . • Provide training sessions on leadership/job train- ing. With the limited amount of funding at this time, planning grants would be a low priority. Eligible Applicants Applications for grants must be submitted by organized groups representing neighborhoods . In order to be considered, groups must meet the following requirements : • Represent a specific geographic area of the city as their interest with membership predominantly resid- ing in that area. • Establish by-laws and democratically elect offi- cers . Keep a record of meeting minutes . • Conduct regular, publicized meetings that are open to all . • Demonstrated broad-based neighborhood support for the grant submittal through petition drives is encouraged. • Incorporation under the State of Illinois as a rft not-for-profit organization may also be required. Neighorhood Improvement Grant Program May 31 , 1996 Page 3 eft The groups could ultimately be encouraged to develop newslet- ters; to produce a strategic plan; and to assess local assets and capacities within the neighborhood such as businesses , parks, schools , landmarks , etc . Entities not eligible to submit an application would include individuals , single businesses , city-wide organizations , social service agencies , fraternal or religious groups , and public agencies . However, eligible neighborhood groups are encouraged to form partnerships and use community resources to plan and implement projects . The neighborhood organiza- tion must be the lead applicant and have the primary role in such partnerships . Evaluation Criteria/Selection Applications will be evaluated on: - 1 . Quality and scope of the proposed project that identifies a priority neighborhood; ( 0 points for poor proposal, 10 points for exemplary proposal ) . 2 . Level of neighborhood participation/support; ( 0 little evidence of local 13Noeiendt:orf:rhe support,n20 points for partnership links and strong citizen project; ( 0 points for low involvement) . eft 3 . points for high need) . 4 . Neighborhood matching contribution; ( 0 points for no match, 20 points for a 50 percent or greater match in time, money, or materials ) . 5 . Compliance with the City of Elgin Master Plan and Ten Key Issues for the community identified in the Budget and Five-Year Financial Plan; ( 0 points for no match with the Master Plan, 10 points for being specifically linked with the plan) . 6 . Maintenance requirements; ( 0 points for high on-going maintenance, 10 points for no on-going maintenance) . 7 . Long-term benefit to neighborhood and community; ( 0 points for no visible or measurable neighborhood improvement beyond the time the money is expended, 5 points for an initiative with impact beyond five years . ) . 8 . Number of citizens affected by initiative ( 0 points for an initiative affecting the entire neighborhood putting forth the proposal ) . Timeframes/Selection Promotional information for the 1996 NIGP would be mailed eft with an application deadline of July 31, 1996 . • Neighorhood Improvement Grant Program May 31, 1996 Page 4 eim A board or commission such as the Image Advisory Commission or a separate City Council-appointed review committee could score the application and make a recommendation to the City Council . The grants would then be reviewed and awarded by the City Council in August, 1996 . Projects would have to be completed by June 30 , 1997 . / Reporting/Payments The grantees would be required to provide brief monthly imple- mentation reports and a final report of the completed project outlining the goals achieved. Payments and procurement of supplier would be made by the City of Elgin following its procurement ordinance . Any matching funds would be deposited with the City of Elgin. Matching Funds/Participation Participation by the community in the form of matching funds would provide additional leverage which would mean bigger projects and deeper community commitment . The City could encourage contributions and in-kind labor, maintenance, or materials . An alternative is to weigh neighborhood or commu- nity support heavily in the evaluation criteria. COMMUNITY GROUPS/INTERESTED PERSONS CONTACTED The executive directors from both the Neighborhood Housing Services and the United Way of Elgin have been consulted for comments on the program outline. FINANCIAL IMPACT Funding for this program is included in the 1996 budget in the amount of $70 , 000 . Expenditures will be charged against account number 275-0000-791 . 92-32 , project 299501 , Riverboat Fund Land Improvements , Neighborhood Improvements . LEGAL IMPACT None . ALTERNATIVES 1 ) Proceed with the outlined program with any sugges- tions made by the City Council; or 2 ) Not fund the program and redirect the proceeds else- where . eft . • Neighorhood Improvement Grant Program May 31 , 1996 Page 5 RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the NIGP program be approved in order to assist neighborhoods in identifying and completing improve- ment projects and the City Council designate a board, commis- sion or special committee to review the applications and recommend grant recipients . Respectfully Submitted, 114A/)T531 - Clay . Pearson, Director Department of Code Administration and Neighborhood Affairs Richard B. Helwig City Manager CJP/sl r elk LO/tt • OF Etc —City of Elgin Mayor Kevin Kelly °R,irtolvv Council Members Terry Gavin Robert Gilliam September 20 , 1996 John T McKevitt Ed Schock John Walters Marie Yearman TO: All Department Heads FROM: Clay J. Pearson, Director of Code Administration and Neighborhood Affairs Jenny S . Diaz de Leon, Hispanic Outreach Worker0 SUBJECT: 1997 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program Submissions We are pleased to report that the first year of the subject program has provided 25 applications from 12 citizen groups . The pilot year of the program has generated a number of excel- lent proposals aimed at improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods . The Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program Submissions have been eft submitted for consideration to the Elgin City Council and are scheduled for the City Council meeting of the Whole on Wednes- day, September 25 , 1996 . Submission Prolected Grant Amt Organization Title Cost Request 6-t2. Central Park Towers Tenant The Planting Association Posse $ 2 , 332 $ 1 , 132 Eagle Hts Tyler Creek Residents Erosion Control Association & Beautification 15 , 000 15 , 0b0 3 . Elgin ' s Traffi: Original Circle at East Side Division and Neighbors Gifforc, 20 , 000 15 , 000 4 . Gifford Park Completion of Association Street Tree (GPA) Improvements 15 , 000 15 , 000 -- Hillcrest Fla-role PM Enhancement 2 , 957* 2 ,.957* 150 Dexter Court • Elgin, IL 60120-5555 • Phone 847/931-6100 • Fax 847/931-5610 • TDD 847/931-5616 ® prmied 0,recycled paper emkPage 2 1996 NIGP Summary Submission Projected Grant Amt Organization Title Cost Request 6 . Hillcrest Sign PTH Enhancement $ 9 , 211 $ 9, 200 '-- 7 . Northeast Neighborhood Surveillance Association Video . (NENA) Cameras 2 , 008 2 , 008 (--p-i , Northeast Neighborhood St Francis Association Park (NENA) Improvements 4, 428 4, 428 9 . Northeast Neighborhood Bicycle Lanes Association in Northeast • (NENA) Neighborhood 7, 000* 7 , 000* 10 . Northeast rNeighborhood Neighborhood Association Newsletter & (NENA) Bulletin 5 , 500 5 , 500 Parkwood Homeowners Parlood _ . Association Playqcound 30, 000 15, 000 12 . Save Our Adult Streets Leadership ( SOS ) Education 2 , 975 2 , 975 13 . Save Our Streets Neighborhood ( SOS) Signs 1, 338 1, 338 C) - -, . .:' 14 . Save Our Crirmi, Streets Prevention , • . ( SOS) Cameras 11 , 600 11, 600 Save Our :2 Streets Neighborhood ( SOS) Lighting 2, 250 ..- .. } 2, 250 _ 16 . SouthEast Strutural Elgin and ork Neighbors ( SEEN) Hist:oflc Survey 7 , 800 4, 700 / Page 3 rft 1996 NIGP Summary Submission Projected Grant Amt Organization Title Cost Request 17 . SouthEast Elgin Neighbors Neighborhood ( SEEN) Banners $ 3 , 250** $ 3 , 250 SouthEast Elgin Bike Path Neighbors Access at ( SEEN) Lessenden P1 1 , 500 1 , 500 19:‘, SouthEast Elgin Adopt a Neighbors Corner ( SEEN) Plantings 1 , 300** 1 , 300 20 . Washington Park Play Heights Equipment Neighborhood on Public Women ' s Assoc Property 100, 000 100, 000 2111 Washington Heights Neighborhood Rignr:-of-Way Women ' s Assoc Beautification 5 , 000 5, 000 22 . Washington Heights Proj . Neighborhood Street Women ' s Assoc Lights 15 , 000 15, 000 23 . Williamsburg Fence Replacement, Commons Land Improvement Property & Wa_k,:fay Path Enhancement or Sidewalk 10 , 000 10 , 000 24 . Wing Court Wing Street Tenant ResiUht Organization Coation 15 , 000 15 , 000 25 . SOS, SEEN, Parkwood Comuter System Homeowner for -ire Association Neigborhood and NENA Voice 6, 458** 6 , 458 rft. Maximum amount ** Labor not included Committee of the Whole Meeting June 26, 1996 Page 2 Purchase of Service Agreement for Lighted Ball Fields A resolution will be presented at tonight ' s Council meeting for adoption by the City Council . Historic Architectural Rehabilitation Grant Program - 1996 Councilman Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilman Schock, to approve the recommendation to approve the grant recipient eligibility list and also have editorial amendments made to Title 20, Designation and Preservation of Historically and Architecturally Significant Property, of the Elgin Municipal Code to include any designated historic district rather than referring to specific historic districts . A discussion was held regarding requiring properties to be completely code compliant (exterior and interior) in order to qualify for the grant program. Code Administration Director Pearson said that the guidelines adopted by the Council in 1995 only required that the exterior be code compliant in order to qualify. Councilman McKevitt made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Yearman, to amend the aforesaid motion to require that grants only be awarded to those properties which are completely code compliant, interior and exterior. Yeas : Councilmembers Gavin, McKevitt, Schock, Walters, Yearman, and Mayor Kelly. The vote on the original motion as amended was as follows : Yeas : Councilmembers Gavin, McKevitt, Schock, Walters, Yearman, and Mayor Kelly. Expansion of Facade Program Target Area Councilman McKevitt made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Yearman, to approve the proposed expansion boundaries of the Facade Improvement Program. Yeas : Councilmembers Gavin, McKevitt, Schack, Yearman and Mayor Kelly. Nays : None. Councilmember Walters abstained. Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program Councilman Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilman Schock, to approve the proposed Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program for the budgeted amount of $70, 000 to assist neighborhoods in identifying and completing improvements projects . A discussion was held on the type of projects which would be eligible. Councilmembers Schock and McKevitt said they would like to see what ideas the neighborhood groups come up with and not limit them to what was included on the list in the agenda memorandum. The Mayor stated that he believes the first priority should be funding for emergencies, such as the Committee of the Whole Meeting June 26 , 1996 Page 3 emergency work on the retaining wall on DuPage Street, which is on tonight' s agenda, rather than funding new programs . Councilman Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Yearman, to amend the aforesaid motion to take $35,000 of the $70, 000 budgeted for this program and apply it towards the DuPage Street retaining wall repair. Yeas : Councilmembers Gavin, McKevitt, Yearman and Mayor Kelly. Nays : Councilmembers Schock and Walters . The vote on the original motion as amended was as follows : Yeas : Councilmembers Gavin, McKevitt, Schock, Walters, Yearman, and Mayor Kelly. The Council requested that grant applications be brought to the Council, similar to the manner in which CDBG applications are presented, so that all requests may be considered. Renewal of Elgin Community College Contract for Police Service from July 1, 1996, through June 30, 1997 Councilman Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Yearman, to approve the agreement with Elgin Community College for police services . Yeas : Councilmembers Gavin, McKevitt, Schock, Walters, Yearman and Mayor Kelly. Nays : None. Renewal of Police Mounted Patrol Agreements Councilwoman Yearman made a motion, seconded by Councilman Gavin, to approve the renewal agreements for the police mounted patrol. Yeas : Councilmembers Gavin, McKevitt, Schock, Walters, Yearman and Mayor Kelly. Nays : None. 1996 Grant Request for Wing Park Improvements Councilman Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilman McKevitt, to authorize the staff to apply for grant funds for the Interage Activity area in Wing Park through the LAWCON program. Yeas : Councilmembers Gavin, McKevitt, Schock, Walters, Yearman and Mayor Kelly. Nays : None. Final Acceptance of All Public Improvements in Randall Ridge Unit 3 Subdivision Councilman McKevitt made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Yearman, to accept all public improvements in Randall Ridge Unit 3 Subdivision. Yeas : Councilmembers Gavin, McKevitt, Schock, Walters, Yearman and Mayor Kelly. Nays : None. El • D Agenda Item No. June 3, 1996 TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Richard B. Helwig, City Manager SUBJECT: Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program PURPOSE The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the Mayor and members of the City Council with information to consider the Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program (NIGP) for 1996 . BACKGROUND Funding for a neighborhood grant program was included in the 1996 budget for the first time ( $70, 000) . Neighborhood im- provement programs have been successful in many cities such as Seattle, Washington, Lakewood, Colorado, St. Petersburg, Florida and Orlando, Florida in stabilizing and enhancing residential areas . The proposed competitive program is intended to help neighbor- hood groups identify priorities, work collaboratively on developing solutions, and provide a means to realize comple- tion of neighborhood priorities . Topics addressed in this memorandum concerning the program include: * Eligible Projects * Reporting/Payments * Eligible Applicants * Matching Funds/ * Evaluation Criteria/Selection Participation * Time-frames/Selection Eligible Projects Eligible neighborhood improvement projects would have some or all of the following characteristics : Be of general benefit to the neighborhood. • Be located on publicly-owned property. • Provide programs free of charge and open to the public . Neighorhood Improvement Grant Program May 31 , 1996 rPage 2 * Take place within the boundaries of the neighbor- hood. * Have goals accomplished in twelve months or less . * Have a minimum City cost of $1 ,000 and a maximum of $15, 000 per neighborhood (could be several small projects) . * Provide new sidewalk/bikepath connections . * Provide right-of-way landscaping. * Provide play equipment or picnic tables in a neigh- borhood park. * Improve entrances or signage that reinforce neigh- borhood identifications . * Improve neighborhood safety. * Provide neighborhood newsletters . * Demonstrate traffic calming measures such as round- abouts, or street closures . * Protect/enhance the environment through educational programs, waterway plantings and restorations . * Neighborhood image enhancements such as advertising in real estate publications . * Conduct neighborhood picnics and events . * Conduct youth trips to camps . * Support health agencies in the neighborhood to provide health screenings (blood pressure tests , (. * flu shots, immunization clinics ) . Rent the YMCA or YWCA pool/facility for neighbor- hood parties . * Provide training sessions on leadership/job train- ing. With the limited amount of funding at this time, planning grants would be a low priority. Eligible Applicants Applications for grants must be submitted by organized groups representing neighborhoods . In order to be considered, groups must meet the following requirements : * Represent a specific geographic area of the city as their interest with membership predominantly resid- ing in that area. * Establish by-laws and democratically elect offi- cers . Keep a record of meeting minutes . * Conduct regular, publicized meetings that are open to all . * Demonstrated broad-based neighborhood support for the grant submittal through petition drives is encouraged. * Incorporation under the State of Illinois as a rnot-for-profit organization may also be required. Neighorhood Improvement Grant Program May 31 , 1996 r Page 3 The groups could ultimately be encouraged to develop newslet- ters; to produce a strategic plan; and to assess local assets and capacities within the neighborhood such as businesses , parks, schools, landmarks, etc. Entities not eligible to submit an application would include individuals, single businesses, city-wide organizations, social service agencies, fraternal or religious groups, and public agencies . However, eligible neighborhood groups are encouraged to form partnerships and use community resources to plan and implement projects . The neighborhood organiza- tion must be the lead applicant and have the primary role in such partnerships . Evaluation Criteria/Selection Applications will be evaluated on: 1 . Quality and scope of the proposed project that identifies a priority neighborhood; ( 0 points for poor proposal, 10 points for exemplary proposal ) . 2 . Level of neighborhood participation/support; ( 0 points for little evidence of local support, 20 points for partnership links and strong citizen rk3 . involvement) . Need for the project; ( 0 points for low need, 20 points for high need) . 4 . Neighborhood matching contribution; ( 0 points for no match, 20 points for a 50 percent or greater match in time, money, or materials) . 5 . Compliance with the City of Elgin Master Plan and Ten Key Issues for the community identified in the Budget and Five-Year Financial Plan; ( 0 points for no match with the Master Plan, 10 points for being specifically linked with the plan) . 6 . Maintenance requirements; ( 0 points for high on-going maintenance, 10 points for no on-going maintenance) . 7 . Long-term benefit to neighborhood and community; ( 0 points for no visible or measurable neighborhood improvement beyond the time the money is expended, 5 points for an initiative with impact beyond five years . ) . 8 . Number of citizens affected by initiative ( 0 points for an initiative affecting the entire neighborhood putting forth the proposal) . Timeframes/Selection Promotional information for the 1996 NIGP would be mailed tow with an application deadline of July 31 , 1996 . Neighorhood Improvement Grant Program May 31 , 1996 Page 4 A board or commission such as the Image Advisory Commission or a separate City Council-appointed review committee could score the application and make a recommendation to the City Council . The grants would then be reviewed and awarded by the City Council in August, 1996 . Projects would have to be completed by June 30, 1997 . Reporting/Payments The grantees would be required to provide brief monthly imple- mentation reports and a final report of the completed project outlining the goals achieved. Payments and procurement of supplier would be made by the City of Elgin following its procurement ordinance. Any matching funds would be deposited with the City of Elgin. Matching Funds/Participation Participation by the community in the form of matching funds would provide additional leverage which would mean bigger projects and deeper community commitment. The City could encourage contributions and in-kind labor, maintenance, or materials . An alternative is to weigh neighborhood or commu- rnity support heavily in the evaluation criteria. COMMUNITY GROUPS/INTERESTED PERSONS CONTACTED The executive directors from both the Neighborhood Housing Services and the United Way of Elgin have been consulted for comments on the program outline. FINANCIAL IMPACT Funding for this program is included in the 1996 budget in the amount of $70,000 . Expenditures will be charged against account number 275-0000-791 . 92-32 , project 299501 , Riverboat Fund Land Improvements, Neighborhood Improvements . LEGAL IMPACT None . ALTERNATIVES 1 ) Proceed with the outlined program with any sugges- tions made by the City Council; or 2 ) Not fund the program and redirect the proceeds else- where. Neighorhood Improvement Grant Program May 31, 1996 (0". Page 5 RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the NIGP program be approved in order to assist neighborhoods in identifying and completing improve- ment projects and the City Council designate a board, commis- sion or special committee to review the applications and recommend grant recipients . Respectfully Submitted, Clay4/#21?A/j191-Le . Pearson, Director Department of Code Administration and Neighborhood Affairs Richard B. Helwig City Manager CJP/sl r tow