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Home My WebLink AboutG27-13 i Ordinance No. G27-13 • AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2.31 OF THE ELGIN MUNICIPAL CODE, 1976, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM" BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS: Section 1. That Section 2.31.050 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended, entitled "Grant Program" be and is hereby amended to read as follows: 2.31.050: GRANT PROGRAM: A. Fund Distribution: The money budgeted for the neighborhood improvement grant program shall be divided into two (2) funds. 1. Sustainable Neighborhood Project Fund 2. Tree Replacement Project Fund. B. Eligible Activities: Each proposed activity or project shall demonstrate the benefit it will be conferring upon the neighborhood represented by the neighborhood group or organization applying for the grant and shall also take place within the boundaries of that neighborhood. When applicable, the following conditions shall also apply: 1. Sustainable Neighborhood Project Fund: a. Projects requiring physical improvements or additions to the neighborhood shall be located on publicly owned property. b. All projects must be compatible with the City Sustainability Action Plan (SMP) and related policies. c. Projects or activities requiring services to be rendered shall be provided to all members of the public without charge. d. Residents of the neighborhood shall be active participants in the planning and implementation of the project. e. All projects or activities shall be completed within a twelve (12) month period from the date of the execution of the grant agreement. For projects delayed by unforeseen or unanticipated circumstances outside of control of grantee, a twelve (12) month extension may be requested after nine (9) months from the date of the award. All extensions will be subject to the approval of the • director. f. Project or activity requests shall be not less than one thousand • dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00). 2. Tree Replacement Project Fund a. Projects involving the replacement ash trees that have been removed within the previous three years of the date on which the application has been filed or ash trees that will soon be removed at the sole expense of the property owner. b. Documentation establishing previous ash tree removal on the private property for which a replacement tree is being requested shall be provided. c. Eligible replacement trees shall consist of those trees designated as "Species A" or "Species B" as designated in the "Tree List" of the city's tree preservation ordinance. d. Residents shall be reimbursed fifty percent of the cost of a single, non-native to Illinois tree planted on their private property not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00) and seventy-five percent for a native Illinois tree planted on their private property • not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00). Sales tax, delivery and installation charges shall be exempt from reimbursement. e. Applications under the Tree Replacement Fund may be reviewed; approved or denied; and reimbursements disbursed by city staff administering the program. C. Eligible Participants: Eligible participants shall include any group or organization meeting each of the following requirements: 1. Neighborhood based organizations of residents or businesses registered with the city of Elgin Community Outreach office. 2. Ad hoc group of residents who have formed a committee solely for the purpose of the specific project. The applicant group must be sponsored by a registered neighborhood based organization. 3. The group's or organization's meeting dates and times must be publicized within the geographic area of the city represented by the group or organization and the meetings must be open to the public. • i • 4. Individual residents or a homeowners' association applying on behalf of its residents provided that such participants are applying for private property tree replacement under the Tree Replacement Project Fund. D. Grants: The selection of grant recipients and the amount of each grant shall be determined by the city council. Grants will be awarded to eligible neighborhood groups or organizations. The number of grants awarded and the amount of each grant may vary depending upon the amount of funds allocated for the program, number of program applicants and the cost of each proposed project or activity. 1. Sustainable Neighborhood Project Fund: a. A deadline for submission of grant applications shall be established annually by the director. b. The director shall create a grant application and guidelines consistent with this chapter. c. The director shall receive and process all grant applications for submission to the city council. The final selection of grant recipients and the amount of each grant shall be determined by the • city council. d. Grants will be awarded in amounts no less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) and no greater than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00). e. The number of grants awarded may vary depending upon the amount of funds allocated for the program, number of program applicants, and the cost of each proposed project or activity. E. Matching Funds and Neighborhood Participation: 1. For every dollar requested from the city, the applicant must provide at least a dollar of matching funds in the form of cash, donated professional services or materials, or volunteer labor. 2. The amount and type of match must be appropriate to the needs of the proposed project as reasonably determined by the director. is • 3. The applicant must be prepared to justify that each element of the match, in the amount proposed, is required to complete the proposed project. 4. No matching funds can include monies from another city funded source. 5. The value of all volunteer labor will be valued at a standard rate to be determined by the director in accordance with the consumer price index. 6. Professional services are valued at the reasonable and customary retail value of the product or service. F. Grant Application And Award: The director shall create a grant application consistent with this chapter. The director shall receive and process all grant applications for submission to the city council and shall annually establish a final date on which applicants may submit applications for review. The director shall also annually establish the award date for grant applications and an annual completion date for any awarded project or activity. G. Other Taxing Districts: Grants shall not be awarded for projects that will • be constructed on properties owned by another taxing district, other than the city, or for programs affiliated with other taxing districts; unless said projects or programs have a physical, tangible, and visible benefit to the sustainability efforts of the overall neighborhood in which they are located, and receive fifty percent (50%) of their matching funds from that taxing district. H. Grant Recipient Selection: 1. Sustainable Neighborhood Funds: Each application will be reviewed on the basis of a one hundred (100) point rating system, with one hundred (100) points being the highest rating and fifty (50) points being the minimum threshold for consideration of eligibility using the following criteria: a. Municipal Compatibility: (i) Project integrates with the city's Sustainable Master Plan (SMP) and is consistent with city policy and ordinances. (0 to 10 points) • I (ii) Project or activities requires minimal maintenance and • city staff time. (0 to 10 points) b. Community Benefit: (i) Project proposes a creative approach to a neighborhood need or enhancement that helps meet the SNIP goals. (0 to 15 points) (ii) Project activities address a highly recognized need within the neighborhood. (0 to 15 points) c. Participation: (i) Project includes opportunities to involve neighbors in shaping and carrying out the project. (0 to 10 points) (ii) The project promotes opportunities to form partnerships with other groups or organizations to complete joint projects or activities. (0 to 10 points) d. Project Feasibility: (i) The proposal demonstrates excellence in design, planning, and execution of the proposed project or activity. (0 to 10 • points) (ii) Budget reliably represents the project's expenses and revenue. (0 to 10 points) (iii) The proposed project meets all grant guidelines and provides detailed matching contribution by identifying specific dollar matching amounts and specific volunteer scheduling as opposed to generalized representations of matching dollar amounts or volunteer support. (0 to 10 points) Section 2. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance be and are hereby repealed to the extent of any such conflict. Section 3. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and publication in the manner provided by law. rV J ",4 AL Davi J. Kap , Mi&6r • • Presented: July 10, 2013 Passed: July 10, 2013 Vote: Yeas: 9 Nays: 0 Recorded: July 10, 2013 "�"""'� Published: July 11, 2013 A A s Kimberly ewis, City Clerk • •