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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - 2015/16 Neighborhood Improvement Grants RESOLUTION NO. 15-406 RESOLUTION APPROVING NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT GRANTS FOR 2015/16 FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA WHEREAS,the City Council has appropriated Local Option Sales Tax funds to finance the Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP); and, WHEREAS, this year, $50,000 was approved for neighborhood programs, with $25,000 earmarked for the NIP and the remaining $25,000 allocated for a broader array of neighborhood projects; and, WHEREAS, as you will recall, there are two main goals of the NIP: (1) to strengthen a neighborhood's appearance with the addition of permanent physical improvements, and (2) to promote a greater sense of community through resident participation in a neighborhood project;and, WHEREAS, each project application is rated on a 100-point system, and a project must achieve at least 50 points to be considered; and, WHEREAS,to date in FY 2015/16,two applications have been received for a total funding request of$7,692.95; and, WHEREAS, the Review Panel, comprised of City staff members and two citizens, scored the applications and recommended that both projects be approved for funding; and, WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Improvement Project Review Panel is requesting approval by the City Council of the following projects; (1)Roosevelt Neighborhood Association&Friends of Neighborhood Park, and(2) Indian Grass Court Neighborhood Association; and, WHEREAS,the Roosevelt Project will include a shelter/stage to be built in Roosevelt Park, and the stage will be the venue for the donor-driven Roosevelt Summer Sundays Concert Series;and, WHEREAS,the concerts will be free and open to the public,and the stage/shelter is intended to serve as the "hub" of the Roosevelt Neighborhood; and, WHEREAS, the total cost of the project is $10,000 and requested City funding is $5,000; and, WHEREAS, the Indian Grass Court Project's purpose is to beautify the large cul-de-sac in the center of Indian Grass Court by adding low-maintenance perennial plants and trees; and, WHEREAS, the renewed area will serve as a gathering space for neighborhood meetings, block parties, and potlucks, as well as be much more attractive to passersby; and, WHEREAS, the total cost of the project is $5,385.89, and requested City funding is $2,692.95; and, WHEREAS, the Review Panel recommended that the following stipulations be placed on approval of this Grant:(1)the required permits and utility locations must be obtained before digging; (2) the space must be used for neighborhood gatherings, such as block parties, potlucks, and meetings; (3)the residents of the area will plant hostas, daylilies, and grasses in spaces designated by Country Landscapes; 4) The Neighborhood Association will contact the City's Department of Parks and Recreation for direction as to what species of trees may be planted; and, (5) the Neighborhood Association will assume all maintenance responsibilities for the plantings in the cul- de-sac. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa, that the requests for expenditure of$7,692.95 to fund NIP grants for the Roosevelt Neighborhood/ Friends of Roosevelt Park stage/shelter project and the Indian Grass Court Neighborhood cul-de-sac beautification project are hereby approved. ADOPTED THIS 14`h day of July, 2015. Aavao t c Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ann H. Campbell, Mayor Introduced by: Nelson Seconded by: Goodman Voting aye: Betcher, Gartin, Goodman,Nelson, Orazem Voting nay: None Absent: Corrieri Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 141h day of July, 2015.