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HomeMy WebLinkAboutG51-03 Ordinance No. G51-03 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A RESIDENTIAL CONVERSION GRANT PROGRAM WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 6 (a) of Article VII of the 1970 Constitution of the State of Illinois, the City of Elgin, Cook and Kane Counties, is a municipality and a home rule unit of government duly organized and existing under the Constitution and laws of the State of Illinois; and WHEREAS, the City of Elgin is a home rule unit authorized to exercise any power and perform any function relating to its government and affairs; and WHEREAS, the City Council deems it to be in the best interests of the City of Elgin to institute a program whereby owners of lawful non-conforming multi-family dwellings are given incentives and financial assistance to convert their properties into their original, conforming residential use . NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS : Section 1 . That the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended, rft. be and is hereby amended by adding thereto a new Chapter 2 . 29 entitled "Residential Conversion Grant Program" which reads as follows : "Chapter 2 . 29 RESIDENTIAL CONVERSION GRANT PROGRAM 2 . 29 . 010 ESTABLISHMENT: There is hereby established a Residential Conversion Grant Program (hereinafter referred to as "Program" ) for the City. Applications for program participation shall be prioritized by the Community Development Group Director (hereinafter the "Director" ) to optimize resources and benefits to the City of Elgin. Grants for the Program established may be made until funds budgeted for such use are exhausted. 2 . 29 . 020 PURPOSE: The purpose of this Program is to provide financial assistance and incentives for owners of multi-family residential properties to convert these properties into their original, conforming residential use and to offset the loss of revenue experienced by the property owner for the reduction in dwelling units . Program expenditures shall be limited to projects resulting in a reduction in the number of dwelling units on a property and in no event shall any expenditure be made to increase the number of dwelling units on a property. 2 . 29 . 030 ADMINISTRATION: The administration of the provisions of this chapter is hereby assigned to the Director or the Director' s designee. Applications for the Program shall be made to the department of planning and neighborhood services, which shall have the authority and responsibility for carrying out the provisions of this chapter. The Director shall establish any reasonable rules and procedures not otherwise established by this chapter and not in conflict with the provisions of this chapter that are necessary for administration of the Program. Any such rules and procedures shall be written and published in pamphlet form and provided to the City Council when amended from time to time . 2 . 29 . 040 GRANT PROGRAM: A. Eligible Properties : Participation in the Residential Conversion Grant Program is limited to properties that meet the following criteria: 1 . Currently multi-family residential properties that are "non-conforming uses" as defined in Elgin Municipal Code Section 19 . 90 . 015, as amended, and substantiated as set forth in said section; 2 . Currently are licensed by the City of Elgin; 3 . Will be converted to their original, conforming residential use . 4 . Are located outside a floodplain. B. Eligible Participants : Eligible program participants must be at least 18 years of age and be owners of record, mortgagees, or owners with a beneficial interest in a trust holding record title to an eligible property. Owners participating in the Program shall abide by all Program requirements including but not limited to the commitment to conform to local building codes and ordinances . Participation in the Program shall preclude concurrent participation in the "Historic Architectural Rehabilitation Grant Program" and the "First Time Homebuyers Down Payment Assistance Program" . Participation in the City of Elgin' s "Residential Rehabilitation Grant Program" or any other em. federally-funded housing rehabilitation program is precluded for six (6) months following the successful completion of the conversion and the Grantee ' s receipt of their final payout . C. Financial Assistance Grants : The Program shall reimburse the property owner Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20 , 000) per dwelling unit eliminated in the conversion. For properties located in "User Defined Areas 5 and 22" as set forth in the United States Census designation (the southeast section of Elgin) , a maximum of Twenty Three Thousand Dollars ($23 , 000) per dwelling unit eliminated in the conversion may be provided. No grant authorized pursuant to this Chapter shall be made until a letter of completion and compliance has been issued by the City. Start up funds may be provided to eligible participants prior to the commencement of the conversion work. These funds shall be used to pay for materials and/or secure a contractor for conversion work. Grantee shall submit a formal written request for said funds to the Director justifying the need for such funds. The amount of start- up funds may be adjusted at the discretion of the Director depending on the size and scope of the projects. The start-up funds shall not exceed $10, 000 per unit converted. 2 .29 . 050 CONDITIONS : A. Agreement Required: Grant recipients shall be required to execute an agreement with the City imposing duties upon the grantee which include, but are not limited to, the following obligations : 1 . Grantee shall require licensed contractors to complete all necessary work to accomplish such a conversion within 180 days from the date the agreement is fully executed. 2 . Grantee shall not sell, convey or otherwise transfer their interest in the property being converted until a letter of completion and compliance has been issued by the City. 3 . Grantee to the fullest extent permitted by law shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the City, its officers, employees, agents, board and commissions from and against any and all eft causes of action, suits, claims for damages, and any and all other liability, which may arise out of or relate to the Program re. agreement or the Program in any way. In the event of any action against the City, its officers, employees, agents, boards or commissions covered by such duty to indemnify, defend and hold harmless, such action shall be defended by legal counsel of the City' s choosing. The provisions relating to such indemnity, duty to defend and hold harmless shall survive any termination and/or expiration of the Agreement . 4 . Grantee shall submit monthly progress reports detailing the progress being made on the project or activity and a final report on the completed project or activity outlining the goals achieved by the project or activity. 5 . Grantee shall supervise and monitor the performance of the work in order to ensure compliance with all grant program requirements and all applicable city codes and ordinances . 6 . Grantee shall obtain a conversion permit and all necessary permits for any and all alterations made, and no such work shall be initiated until all said permits have been obtained. 7 . Grantee shall allow periodic inspections by the City to monitor the progress of the work including but not limited to a final inspection. 8 . Grantee shall provide City with copies of all contracts and work proposals from contractors performing conversion work, invoices itemizing eligible material and labor, stamped paid receipts, final waivers of lien and other documentation showing proof of payment for materials and labor for all work completed as may be required by the Director. B. Director' s Authorization: The Director is authorized to execute the Grant Agreement on behalf of the City. C. Limitations : Grants authorized under this chapter shall be limited to the amount approved at the time of the execution of the Grant Agreement . No grants shall be approved for expenses incurred prior to the execution of the Grant Agreement . D. Failure to Perform: Failure to perform the obligations of the Grant Agreement shall require . rm. the grant recipient to immediately repay any grant monies received. E. Penalty for Misrepresentation: Any person, corporation or unincorporated association willfully making a false statement or misrepresentation in obtaining a grant under the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100 . 00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500 . 00) and shall forfeit the ability for future participation in any Grant program funded or administered by the City. Any such person, corporate or unincorporated association shall also repay any monies received pursuant to this chapter. " Section 2 . That all ordinances or resolutions or parts thereof in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance be and are hereby repealed. Section 3 . That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and publication in the manner provided by law. e""` Ed Schock, Mayor Presented: June 25, 2003 Passed: June 25, 2003 Omnibus Vote : Yeas : 7 Nays : 0 Recorded: June 26, 2003 Published: June 26, 2003 Attest : 171A Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk (Pk