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HomeMy WebLinkAbout99-70 Resolution No. 99-70 RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE ELGIN NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, that it hereby adopts the Elgin Neighborhood Business Improvement Grant Program dated February 4 , 1999 for the improvement of neighborhood business districts located outside of the Central Business District, a copy of which is attached. s/ Kevin Kelly Kevin Kelly, Mayor Presented: March 10, 1999 Adopted: March 10, 1999 Omnibus Vote: Yeas 6 Nays 0 Attest: s/ Dolonna Mecum Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk February 4 , 1999 ELGIN NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM I. INTRODUCTION II. TARGET AREA III. TYPE OF ASSISTANCE IV. OWNERSHIP V. ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS VI. INELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS VII. APPLICATION PROCESS AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES VIII . CORRESPONDENCE IX. APPLICATION I . INTRODUCTION The City of Elgin has committed to assisting business and neighborhoods by assisting neighborhood business areas . In 1998 , the City authorized a partnership grant program for building and grounds improvements . The Neighborhood Business Improvement Program (NBIP) offers 50o reimbursement for eligible improvements to businesses enrolled in the Program. Under the Program, property owners or business owners within the target areas are eligible to apply for grants equal to 50 percent of the cost of improving their storefronts, building facades or grounds (parking lots, signs, landscaping, lighting, etc. ) . II . TARGET AREA Buildings and properties must be zoned either Neighborhood Business (NB) , or Residence Business (RB) to be eligible . RB business districts allow both residences and businesses built at a residential scale along arterial streets . NB business districts offer convenience commodities and services to a neighborhood. Other incentive programs are available through the City of Elgin. The downtown area (which is not eligible for the NBIP) has a number of programs available . Information on many of these is available through Raymond H. Moller, Director of Business Services, at 931- 6749 . III . TYPE OF ASSISTANCE After approval in the program, property owners can receive a 50 percent match of the project cost, up to $15 , 000 City contribution per location. IV. OWNERSHIP Eligible applicants may be the owner of a commercial building or the owner of a commercial business in the target area. Business owners who are tenants of a building for which improvements are planned must provide written consent from the building owner of all proposed improvements . The tenant applicant must have at least a five-year lease at the location in order to apply under the program. V. ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS The NBIP is intended to fund improvements ranging from signs compliance and landscape enhancements to complete facade restorations . Eligible improvements include : * Upgrade non-conforming signage to code compliance * Landscaping * Exterior lighting * Street furniture (must be approved and licensed by the City of Elgin) * Parking area improvements * Storefront/facade enhancements * ADA Handicap accessibility - ramps, doors, etc . Architectural and other design work is an eligible cost under the program. However, architectural drawings are not required. Potential enhancements visible from a public right-of-way are eligible for funding in the NBIP. All work funded under the NBIP Grant Program is required to conform to applicable code and ordinances . VI . INELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS It is not the purpose of the program to finance ongoing improvements which could be considered part of a building' s routine maintenance . Building additions shall not be funded. Each eligible improvements shall be funded by the program only once. The program is not intended to assist in funding improvements not readily visible from the public right-of-way. Ineligible improvements are improvements to the building interior (remodeling floor, office, or display spaces) or exterior maintenance work such as roof repairs/replacements . VII. APPLICATION PROCESS AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES 1 . Applicants will receive a copy of the program guidelines and application form. The completed application should be submitted to the Director of Business Services . 2 . Applications will be reviewed by staff for compliance with all program guidelines . A site inspection will be completed by the City of Elgin ' s Code Administration staff for an inventory of any violations of the property maintenance, building, or zoning codes . Applicants do not have to be in complete code compliance at the time of application for the program but must be compliant on the building exterior before reimbursement can be made to the business . 3 . If an application meets guidelines, and sufficient funding is available for the proposed project, the completed application and 2 a recommendation for grant award will be made to the City Council . The City Council shall authorize execution of a grant agreement . An appeal of any application denial by staff may be made to the City Council . The applicant shall notify the Program Coordinator in writing (by return receipt mail) with a request to appeal within ten working days of receiving notice of the disapproved application. The City Council will hear the appeal and review the facts and may vote to uphold or reverse the staff decision. 4 . No reimbursement shall be made for work initiated or completed prior to the execution of a grant agreement . 5 . All required work shall be completed within one year of execution of the grant agreement . 6 . Following the approval of the application and after the applicant has received at least two bids for each of the approved work items, the applicant shall notify the Program Coordinator as to the contractor selected, the contract amount, and the anticipated date of project completion. Copies of all bids and proposals shall be submitted promptly to the Program Coordinator. The program shall fund an amount equal to the low bid for each work item. The applicant may not serve as his/her own contractor. 7 . When applicable, building permits shall be obtained by the applicant before the work begins . ALL PROJECTS MUST APPLY FOR A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY, if none exists for current uses in the building . Questions regarding permit requirements should be directed to the City' s Department of Code Administration. 8 . After the agreement has been executed and all necessary permits have been issued, work may proceed. All change orders must be approved by the Program Coordinator in writing. 9 . After completion of the project, copies of all bids, contracts, invoices , lien waivers, and cancelled checks must be submitted to the Program Coordinator. City staff will inspect the work for compliance with City codes and conformance with the design plans approved for the project . Payment shall be made to the applicant within 30 days of final project closeout by the City. VIII . CORRESPONDENCE All questions and comments regarding this program shall be directed to: Raymond H. Moller Director of Business Services 150 Dexter Court Elgin, IL 60120 3 NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM APPLICATION FORM 1 . Applicant (Name) - Home Address (Home Address) (City) (State) (Zip) (Phone) 2 . Building or establishment for which the rebate is sought : (Street Address) Applicant is : Owner Tenant If tenant, what is term of lease? 3 . Facade to be improve : Front Side Rear 4 . Proposed use of program: Canopy/Awning Signage Windows/Doors Exterior Lighting Painting/Tuck Restoration of Pointing Architectural Feature Brick Cleaning Landscaping Exterior ADA Street Furniture Accessibility and Fixtures Other (please specify) 5 . Statement of Understanding. A. The applicant (undersigned) agrees to comply with the guidelines and procedures of the Neighborhood Business Improvement Program and the conceptual design and outline specifications as agreed to by the applicant and the application review team. B . The applicant understands that the applicant must submit detailed cost documentation, copies of building permits, bids, contracts and invoices and contractor' s final waivers of lien upon completion of the approved improvements . Applicant Signature If the applicant is other than the owner, the following line must be completed: I certify that I, the owner of the property at do authorize the applicant to apply for a rebate under the Neighborhood Business Improvement Program and undertake the approved improvements . Date (Owner Signature) FOR OFFICE USE ONLY • Date Application Received: Application Fee Paid: Yes No If yes, Check Cash Application I .D. Number: Rebate Approved: Date Total Estimated Project Cost Percent Applied for Rebate Total Amount of Rebate Rebate Denied: Date • Reason (Program Coordinator) Return To : Raymond H. Moller Director of Business Services City of Elgin 150 Dexter Court Elgin, IL 60120 • `,,(OFkE/C/ �`'Arr%��� City of Elgin Agenda Item No. ror/ lllry Ok1TEDCA� February 15 , 1999 TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Joyce A. Parker, City Manager SUBJECT: Neighborhood Business Improvements Grant Guidelines and Application PURPOSE The purpose of this memorandum is to present to the Mayor and members of the City Council a proposed set of guidelines and an application form for the City' s Neighborhood Business Improvement Grant Programs . BACKGROUND The 1998 City Budget included $100 , 000 for a new Neighborhood Business Improvement Program. The purpose of the program is to provide an incentive program for improvement to neighbor- hood business districts located outside of the Central Busi- ness District . The program was not formalized in 1998 and the funding was carried over into 1999 . In October of 1998, the Mayor and City Council directed staff to formalize the guide- lines for the program and to establish an application process . The guidelines and application process are patterned after the Downtown and State Street Facade Programs. The NBIP offers a 50% reimbursement for eligible improvements to businesses enrolled in the program. The general guidelines for the program are as follows : 1) Target Area - Properties zoned Residence Business (RB) - Properties zoned Neighborhood Business (NB) 2) Types of Assistance - 50% match of project costs up to a $15, 000 City grant r 'Neighborhood Business Improvement Grant February 14 , 1999 Page 2 3) Eligible Applicants - Building owners - Business owners 4) Eligible Improvements - Upgrade nonconforming signs to code compliance - Landscaping - Exterior lights - Street furniture - Parking improvements - Exterior facade - Exterior ADA accessibility 5) Ineligible Improvements - Routine maintenance items eft. - Building additions - Roof repairs and replacement 6) Application Process - Submit completed application form to City' s Director of Business Services - Staff review - Availability of funds - Payment of grant following completion of work - Work initiated prior to grant approval is ineligible - Proposed work to be completed with 12 months - Grant funds shall be based upon low bid estimates 7) Appropriate Building Permits Must be Obtained 8) Release of Liens Must be Provided to the City Prior to Grant Payout Neighborhood Business Improvement Grant February 14, 1999 Page 3 COMMUNITY GROUPS/INTERESTED PERSONS CONTACTED None . j, FINANCIAL IMPACT In the 1999 budget, $100, 000 has been set aside in account number 270-0000-791 . 78-99, Rehab Grants, project number 299504, to fund the Neighborhood Grant Program. LEGAL IMPACT None. ALTERNATIVES Among the alternatives for the program are : 1) Add AB Shopping Center to the eligibility list . There are 736 parcels contained in AB zoning districts city- wide (see attached map) . A disadvantage to including the AB districts is that these properties include many of the larger shopping areas and businesses instead of small businesses that may have less resources to improve their properties . rk 2) Adjust the amount of City contribution per project . 3) Adjust the list of eligible improvements . RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the Mayor and members of the City Council approve the proposed guidelines for the Neighborhood Business Improvement Program. •ectfully submi d, eY. — J. e A/. Parker City Manager amp r