Title
Approval of 2014 Neighborhood Matching Grants
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Move to approve Neighborhood Matching Grant amounts as recommended by the City Manager.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve Neighborhood Matching Grant amounts as follows:
Bigelow Neighborhood Association: $4,000.00
Bigelow Highlands Neighborhood Association: $4,000.00
Cooper Crest Neighborhood Association: $2,000.00
Hidden Creek Neighborhood Association: $3,276.08
Northeast Neighborhood Association: $3,660.00
Olympia Downtown Association: $4,000.00
TOTAL: $20,936.08
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve recommended 2014 matching grants for six (6) Recognized Neighborhood Associations.
Staff Contact:
Michelle Sadlier, Associate Planner, Community Planning & Development, 360.753.8031
Presenter(s):
Michelle Sadlier, Associate Planner
Background and Analysis:
For over a decade, Neighborhood Matching Grant program has been helping Olympians help themselves by providing matching funds for community projects.
When the program was established, the Olympia City Council stated that its goal "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."
For 2014, the City Council approved a budget of up to $23,000.00 to be used for the Neighborhood Matching Grant program. All Recognized Neighborhood Associations (RNAs) were invited to apply for grant funds. The deadline for submittal was Friday, March 14, 2014. City of Olympia staff received eight (8) applications from six (6) RNAs totaling $20,936.08 in requested matching grants from the City.
Staff from multiple departments reviewed project applications and found that all meet the program's criteria. This review included the City's Legal Department, which approved all recommended projects. Because the requested funds fall under the maximum budgeted amount, staff recommends that all proposed projects be awarded the full requested amount. Projects are summarized at the attachment. Full copies of proposals are also available for review in the City Council's office.
If the projects are approved by City Council, contracts will be signed and the RNAs can then begin project-related activities. The grants would expire on December 31, 2014.
See Attachment 1 for full project descriptions.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The wider community of Olympia is strengthened by the environmental health and vitality of its neighborhoods. The proposed projects provide environmental, safety, and aesthetic benefits to City residents and businesses.
Options:
1. Approve the Neighborhood Matching Grants as listed, maximizing the City's ability to help neighborhoods help themselves; or
2. Approve partial or full funding of a subset of the grant requests which the Council sees as consistent with the goals of the program.
Financial Impact:
The 2014 budget provides up to $23,000.00 to be used for the Neighborhood Matching Grant program. If all recommended matching grants are approved, the total City match would fall well within the budgeted amount.