Title
Agenda Item:
Approval of 2013 Neighborhood Matching Grants
Body
Issue:
Whether to approve 2013 matching grants to the recommended neighborhoods.
City Manager's Recommendation:
Move to approve Neighborhood Matching Grant amounts as listed:
Northeast Neighborhood Association, $2,000
South Capitol Neighborhood Association, $2,500
Olympia Downtown Association, $4,000
Goldcrest Homeowners Association, $2,000
Bigelow Highlands Neighborhood Association, $1,770
Merryman Neighborhood Association, $2,000
Northwest Neighborhood Association, $3,100
Upper Eastside Neighborhood Association, $642
Staff Contact:
Jennifer Kenny, Associate Planner, (360) 753-8031
Presenter(s):
Jennifer Kenny, Associate Planner
Background and Analysis:
The Neighborhood Matching Grant program is designed to help residents help themselves by providing matching funds for community projects.
At the time the program was established, the City Council stated that, "The goal of the City Council is to encourage projects that foster civic pride, enhance and beautify neighborhoods, expand citizen involvement, and promote the interests of the Olympia community. To accomplish this goal, the Olympia City Council will make available grant funds to Recognized Neighborhood Associations up to a 50/50 matching basis. The City Council firmly believes that community participation and commitment to accomplish improvements within our City are mutually beneficial to all Olympia residents."
The 2013 budget provides up to $18,000 to be used for the Matching Grant program. All of the Recognized Neighborhood Associations were invited to apply for grant funds. The deadline for submittal was February 28, 2013.
Staff received eight applications totaling more than $24,000 in requests. The projects were reviewed by staff, and are briefly described below. The recommended funds total $18,012. In order to support all qualified projects, staff recommends partial funding for most of the projects except for the Northwest Neighborhood and the Upper Eastside Neighborhood, both of which can accomplish their full projects with less funds than the maximum offered and are not Homeowners Associations which collect member funds. The Downtown Association is also recommended for full funding as the project has broad community benefit and addresses multiple goals such as downtown safety, walkability, alley improvement and beautification.
Once the projects are approved, contracts will be signed and neighborhood may begin their projects. The completion date for projects is December 1, 2013. The City's Legal Department reviewed and approved all recommended applications. Copies of proposals are available for review in Council's office.
Project Descriptions:
Northeast Neighborhood Association
Recommended: $2,000
Requested: $3,975
$1500 is requested for materials for neighborhood emergency preparedness kits, and $2,475 is requested to support the annual Love Our Local festival which is held in the neighborhood, and sponsored by Sustainable South Sound. The recommended funding level supports emergency kits and materials to repaint the existing street mural.
South Capitol Neighborhood Association
Recommended: $2,500
Requested: $4,000
Funds are requested to purchase aluminum banners to highlight the historic neighborhood and create a distinction between the Capitol Campus and the South Capitol Neighborhood.
Olympia Downtown Association
Recommended: $4,000
Requested: $4,000
Funds are requested to pay for an artistic piece that incorporates the artesian well and includes lighting in the alley that goes from west to east, starting at Jefferson Street near the Artesian Well and running to City Hall. Alley improvements encourage pedestrian use and downtown safefty.
Goldcrest Homeowners Association
Recommended: $2,000
Requested: $2,625
Funds are requested to purchase and plant cedar trees, shrubs, and spread bark. This part of an ongoing replanting effort to stabilize banks and reduce stormwater run-off.
Bigelow Highlands Neighborhood Association
Recommended: $1,770
Requested: $1,770
Funds are requested to purchase materials for the Graffitti Busters program, purchase edible plants for the community garden, and materials for a mural on Roosevelt School.
Merryman Place Neighborhood Association
Recommended: $2,000
Requested: $4,000
Funds are requested for tree planting, tool rental for clean up of storm water retention pond, and neighborhood welcome sign.
Northwest Neighborhood Association
Recommended: $3,100
Requested: $3,100
Funds are requested for materials for garden beds, rain barrells, seating area, and a sign for the community space at the corner of Madison and Thomas.
Upper Eastside Neighborhood Association
Recommended: $642
Requested: $642
Funds are requested for materials to paint a street mural which slows traffic and contributes to neighborhood identity.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The whole community is improved by strong neighborhoods, and projects with environmental, safety and aesthetic benefits.
Options:
1. Approve the Neighborhood Matching Grants as listed maximizing the City's ability to help neighborhoods to help themselves, contracts and projects proceed in a timely manner, some initial requests are not fully funded, and associations may not be able to provide all of the proposed services.
2. Approve partial or full funding of only certain grant requests as the Council sees as inconsistent with goals of the program.
3. Appropriate additional monies to fully fund all projects with the reasonable expectation that all projects as proposed would be accomplished.
Financial Impact:
The 2013 budget provides up to $18,000 to be used for the Matching Grant program.