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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 02 Approval to Award Ocoee Neighborhood Matching Grants City of Ocoee ▪ 1 N. Bluford Avenue ▪ Ocoee, Florida 34761 Phone: (407) 905-3100 ▪ www.ocoee.org STAFF REPORT Meeting Date: May 7, 2024 Item #: 2 Contact Name: Joy Wright Department Director: Doug Gaines Contact Number: Ext. 1530 City Manager: Robert Frank Subject: Approval to Award Ocoee Neighborhood Matching Grants. (Community Relations Manager Wright) Background Summary: The Ocoee City Commission approved the implementation of the new Ocoee Neighborhood Matching Grant Program at their meeting on October 15, 2019. The grant program was formerly known as the Most Valuable Partnership Awards (MVP). Staff revamped the MVP to simplify and improve the application process and criteria. The Neighborhood Matching Grant Program is held annually. This year’s grant cycle opened on February 16, 2024. Applications were due on March 15, 2024. The neighborhood grant program is for homeowner associations (HOA) and neighborhoods that do not have a structured HOA. The goal of the grant program is to assist residents with making improvements to their neighborhoods. The maximum matching grant award is $2,000. Applicants pay for their improvement projects, and then get a portion back, up to a maximum of $2,000. Given the nature of the grant program, which is to improve city neighborhoods, the Development Services Department conducted the primary review of applications. Ten (10) Homeowner Associations submitted grant applications for this grant cycle. One HOA’s grant application, Remington Oaks, is ineligible because the applicant received a grant last year (2023) in the amount of $2,000. Per the grant criteria, “Homeowner Associations and Non-HOA’s may only apply for grant funds every other year”. Therefore, there are nine (9) eligible grant applicants. The total amount requested by the nine (9) neighborhood associations is $17,818.75. There is $28,000 available for the grant program. 1. Cambridge Village New, modern park sign with rules listed in English and Spanish. Amount requested: $2,000 Staff recommendation: $2,000 2. Greens at Forest Lake Improve and enhance common space by adding durable pavers, a picnic table and signage. Amount requested: $2,000 Staff recommendation: $2,000 3. Lake Olympia Club Replace damaged lawn/grass at the subdivision’s entrance on the north side of Clarke Road. Amount requested: $2,000 Staff recommendation: $2,000 Page 14 of 397 City of Ocoee ▪ 1 N. Bluford Avenue ▪ Ocoee, Florida 34761 Phone: (407) 905-3100 ▪ www.ocoee.org 4. Ocoee Reserve Repaint, add sodding and beautification of subdivision’s entrance. Mulching and repair of the playground. Amount requested: $1,821.25 Staff recommendation: $1,821.25 5. Preserve at Crown Point Beautification of front entry, pressure wash exterior,12 stone pillars and vinyl fencing. Amount requested: $1,997.50 Staff recommendation: $1,997.50 6. Shoal Creek New plants and landscaping in front of brick walls with signage at the main entrance facing Orlando Ave. and White Road. Amount requested: $2,000 Staff recommendation: $2,000 7. Sleepy Harbour Neighborhood Repair boat ramp where it was washed away due to tree root damage. Drill into the current concrete and pour new concrete to stabilize. Amount requested: $2,000 Staff recommendation: $2,000 8. Veronica Place Repair the brick wall that faces White Road from Montgomery to Sleepy Harbour. Fix the columns and brick panels to improve safety on the sidewalk on White Road. Amount requested: $2,000 Staff recommendation: $2,000 9. Whitehill Subdivision Repair the electric at the front entrance. Rewire to bring requirements up to the 2017 Electrical Code. Replace four marquee signs with LEDs. Amount requested: $2,000 Staff recommendation: $2,000 Issue: Should the Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners approve the Neighborhood Grant funding recommendation? Recommendations: The total amount requested by the grant applicants is $17,818.75. There is $28,000 allotted for the neighborhood grant program. Green Forest at Forest Lake - Conditional approval based on meeting the following requirements: • Obtain a permit through the Building Division for the paver area. • A permit is not required for the sign unless there is an electrical run to it for lighting. • Trash receptacles are recommended for the picnic area. Ocoee Reserve - Conditional approval based on meeting the following requirements: • Quote #3 must not be included as it is for ongoing lawn maintenance, not a specific improvement. Page 15 of 397 City of Ocoee ▪ 1 N. Bluford Avenue ▪ Ocoee, Florida 34761 Phone: (407) 905-3100 ▪ www.ocoee.org • Ocoee Reserve must call for utility location prior to work in the median and new plants cannot impede sight lines. Shoal Creek - Conditional approval based on meeting the following requirement: • Further clarification may be needed regarding the removal of plants. If any trees are being removed, a tree removal permit may be required. Sleepy Harbour - Conditional approval based on meeting the following requirement: • A permit through the Building Division is required for the repairs on the boat ramp. White Hill Subdivision - Conditional approval based on meeting the following requirement: • A permit through the Building Division is required for the electrical work. Attachments: 1. Cambridge Village UPDATED 2. Greens at Forest Lake UPDATED 3. Lake Olympia Club UPDATED 4. Ocoee Reserve 5. Preserve at crown Point 6. Shoal Creek 7. Sleepy Harbour 3-20-24 UPDATE 8. Veronica Place UPDATED 9. Whitehill HOA Financial Impacts: The total grant funding requested by all applicants is $17,818.75. There is $28,000 available for the grant program in FY 2023/24. Therefore, the total amount recommended for award is $17,818.75. Type of Item: Consent Page 16 of 397 Page 17 of 397 Page 18 of 397 UPDATE: Requested full $2,000 as of 3/19/24 Page 19 of 397 Page 20 of 397 Page 21 of 397 Page 22 of 397 Page 23 of 397 Page 24 of 397 Page 25 of 397 Page 26 of 397 Page 27 of 397 Page 28 of 397 Page 29 of 397 Page 30 of 397 Page 31 of 397 Page 32 of 397 Page 33 of 397 Page 34 of 397 Page 35 of 397 Page 36 of 397 Page 37 of 397 Page 38 of 397 Page 39 of 397 Page 40 of 397 Page 41 of 397 Page 42 of 397 Page 43 of 397 Page 44 of 397 Page 45 of 397 Page 46 of 397 Page 47 of 397 Page 48 of 397 Page 49 of 397 Page 50 of 397 Page 51 of 397 Page 52 of 397