HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11 Request for Authorization to Proceed with Implementation of Criteria for Administration of a Neighborhood Small Grants Program ocoee
florida
AGENDA ITEM COVER SHEET
Meeting Date: 10/15/2019
Item # I
Reviewed By:
Contact Name: Joy Wright, Community Department Director: Craig Shadrix ACM
Relations Manager
-411
Contact Number: 407-905-3100 City Manager: Robert Fr
Subject: Request for authorization to proceed with implementation of criteria for administration
of a neighborhood small grants program
Background Summary:
The City of Ocoee City Commission appropriated $12,000 into the 2019-2020 budget for a small neighborhood
matching grants program for assistance to neighborhoods seeking to make improvements. Considerable
discussion occurred during the budget workshops amongst the City Commission resulting in staff being directed
to bring back criteria, or guidelines consistent with Commission direction. Under a similar program administered
by the City in the past, the maximum award was $2000 and it was a reimbursement-based program.
Staff has met internally and has the following recommendations for the programming of this grant:
1) Revamp the former Most Valuable Partnership Awards program to be a Neighborhood Matching Grants
Program only. The title of the grant should be changed to read "Ocoee's Neighborhood Matching Grants
Program". Projects with higher dollar/in kind matches will be scored higher.
2) The purpose, who is eligible, eligible projects, and the application process should be updated to include
the following key elements:
a. The grant program and application should be updated to address both HOAs and neighborhoods
without an HOA. For example, the number of participants and how a match is provided by a non-HOA
neighborhood may be different than the requirements for an HOA neighborhood.
b. If a neighborhood seeks to submit a grant, a representative from the City (Development Services
and/or Support Services) may assist the neighborhood upon request in preparing the grant.
c. For neighborhoods without an HOA, the City (Development Services Department and/or Support
Services) may, upon request, provide organizational support. This may include such tasks as
coordinating a neighborhood meeting or purchasing support.
3) Regardless if the neighborhood has an HOA or not, subdivisions may only apply for grant funds every
other year.
The grant program should also be revised to include category types for which funds may be applied for. For
example:
1) Entry Beautification & Identification
2) Open Space and Common Area Enhancements
3) Security and Safety improvements
Staff requests that the commission authorize implementation of this Neighborhood Matching Grants program per
the guidelines above with completion and update of information and forms to allow the grant program to be
advertised in January 2020.
Issue:
Should the Mayor and Commission direct staff to proceed with implementation of a Neighborhood Matching
Grants program consistent with the guidelines above and commencing in January 2020?
Recommendations:
Motion for Mayor and City Commission to direct staff to proceed with implementation of this Neighborhood
Matching Grants program per the guidelines above and commencing in January 2020.
Attachments:
Financial Impact:
The City Commission has already included $12,000 in the adopted fiscal year 2019/2020 budget.
Type of Item: (please mark with an x')
Public Hearing For Clerk's Dept Use:
Ordinance First Reading Consent Agenda
Ordinance Second Reading Public Hearing
Resolution X Regular Agenda
X Commission Approval
Discussion&Direction
Original Document/Contract Attached for Execution by City Clerk
Original Document/Contract Held by Department for Execution
Reviewed by City Attorney N/A
Reviewed by Finance Dept. N/A
Reviewed by () N/A
2