Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 06-12-2012 regular — reading text

modification in 2004 and 2008, in order to promote revitalization and the removal of blight throughout the CRA. 1. 2. The current program is a 1: 1 matching grant that provides 50 %, up to $ 10, 000, to eligible property owners to make aesthetic improvements to the public right -of -way and adjacent private property ( "the streetscape"). 1. 3. On April 10, 2012, the CRA Board recommended unanimously to approve the revised guidelines for the CRA Matching Streetscape Program. 2. DISCUSSION: 2. 1. The following changes were made to the Matching Streetscape Grant Program, which slightly expands the scope of the grant program and streamlines the grant approval process. 2. 1. 1. A letter of request is no longer necessary; Staff will provide an application to be completed and submitted by the property owner. 2. 1. 2. Eligibility for the program was expanded to include mixed -use and multi- family projects so that the program could have a wider impact throughout the CRA. Currently, the program is limited to commercial properties only. 2. 1. 3. The allowable frontage area was expanded to include up to 20 feet of the property frontage, including private property. Currently, the program is confined to the public right -of -way, or if the improvements encroach onto private property, the City requires an easement. 2. 1. 4. Because the scope of the grant program was expanded, the maximum funding limits were removed and approval for projects under $ 20,000 will follow the City' s current Purchasing Policies for expenditures. Any request over $ 20, 000 will be brought before the City Council for discussion and approval. 2. 1. 5. A " Process" section was added in order to provide clarity on the process for obtaining a matching streetscape grant. 2. 1. 6. The design criteria were slightly modified to provide more flexibility in Padtef.Pg. B7  14.1 City Council of Fort Walton Beach 0 To: ENGINEERING & UTILITY SERVICES Michael D. Beedie, Acting City Manager MEMORANDUM From: Michael Beedie, Engineering & Utility Services Director Date: June 12, 2012 Subject: Revisions to CRA Streetscape Grant Program design,design, butbut stillstill provideprovide consistencyconsistency withinwithin thethe CRA.CRA. 3.3. FINANCIALFINANCIAL INFORMATION:INFORMATION: 3.3. 1. TheThe proposedproposed revisionsrevisions toto thethe CRACRA MatchingMatching StreetscapeStreetscape ProgramProgram havehave nono immediateimmediate financialfinancial impactimpact onon thethe CRACRA budget.budget. AvailableAvailable fundingfunding willwill bebe dependentdependent onon eacheach fiscalfiscal year'year' ss CPACPA budgetbudget forfor thisthis programprogram andand willwill bebe onon aa firstfirst - - come,come, first-first- serve"serve" basisbasis toto eligibleeligible applicants.applicants. 4.4. RECOMMENDATION:RECOMMENDATION: 4.4. 1. StaffStaff respectfullyrespectfully recommendsrecommends CityCity CouncilCouncil approvalapproval ofof thethe revisedrevised guidelinesguidelines forfor thethe CRACRA MatchingMatching Streetscape Streetscape GrantGrant ProgramProgram andand authorizationauthorization forfor StaffStaff toto beginbegin advertising advertising thethe programprogram andand accepting accepting applications.applications. ATTACHMENTS:ATTACHMENTS: PDT)PDT) CPACPA MatchingMatching Streetscape Streetscape GrantGrant ProgramProgram FlyerFlyer ( ( PDF)PDF) CRACRA MatchingMatching StreetscapeStreetscape GrantGrant ProgramProgram ManualManual ( ( CRACRA MatchingMatching StreetscapeStreetscape GrantGrant Application Application ( ( PDF)PDF) SIGNATURESIGNATURE BLOCK:BLOCK: ChristopherChristopher FrassettiFrassetti CompletedCompleted 05/05/ 31/31/ 20122012 3:3: 4646 PMPM StellaStella JonesJones Completed Completed 05/05/ 31/31/ 20122012 3:3: 5656 PMPM TimTim BolducBolduc CompletedCompleted 06/06/ 01/01/ 20122012 5:5: 1212 PMPM MichaelMichael BeedieBeedie SkippedSkipped 06/06/ 01/01/ 20122012 5:5: 1111 PMPM CaroleCarole JonesJones Completed Completed 06/06/ 04/04/ 20122012 8:8: 4141 AMAM FinanceFinance CompletedCompleted 06/06/ 04/04/ 20122012 5:5: 0505 PMPM GrantsGrants Manager Manager CompletedCompleted 06/06/ 05/05/ 20122012 9:9: 2121 AMAM CityCity ManagerManager CompletedCompleted 06/06/ 05/05/ 20122012 1: 5858 PMPM CityCity CouncilCouncil PendingPending PacketPacket Pg.Pg. 6868  o RitUAd C r Vww Y Q Y vJ O O 7 d T LLrd a rrrr O w O N 07 a A U Q VCa m m u 0. m r q C O n 0.i 6 p'y a Mm T U t p 0 isa 0 E U  DD KK{\{\\ \ 3) }!)( Z \[ 22:\22:\ §} §} ) _) _ Q. .... ,. . ao ot G t z Wa ee/ 7 DD STREETSCAPE GRANT PROGRAM FORT WALTON BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH Overview The Fort Walton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Streetsmpe Grant Program is an incentive program available to property owners located within the boundaries of the Community Redevelopment Area ( CRA) for aesthetic improvements to the right -of -way ( or streetscape) and adjacent private property. Purpose Encourage private investment to improve appearance and usability of existing buildings within the CRA; Encourage quality design to assist in creating an identifiable sense of place; Partner with private individuals in making improvements to the public realm; To create a sense of pride in the community. Program Description The Matching Strectscape Grant Program is a 50/ 50 matching grant program that provides grants for approved landscaping, lighting, underground utilities, and streetscape amenities. The grant program can be used for improvements to the front of the property ( the streetscape), including the right -of -way and private property. All grant awards are subject to appropriation in each fiscal year. Examples: Eligibility Properties must be located within the boundaries of the Community Redevelopment Area. Eligible property uses include commercial, mixed -use ( as long as the development contains a commercial component), and multi- family residential projects. For multi -family residential projects, development or redevelopment of multiple parcels must adhere to the same completion timeline ( 180 days) as other projects. Platted lots with multi- family homes to be developed or redeveloped individually as market demand arises are not eligible. Single family homes are not eligible for this grant. Applications will be evaluated to ensure consistency with the goals and objectives of the CRA Plan and conformance with the City' s Land Development Code. All applications are awarded based on the availability offends. The following items are eligible under this grant program: Pavers and sidewalk construction, including integrated tree grates if applicable; Landscape materials, including trees, shrubs, ground cover and turf grass; Irrigation systems ( the portion relating to the eligible improvements); Decorative light fixtures, including associated electrical wiring; Benches, trash receptacles, bollards, etc.; Placing all overhead utilities underground; Decorative fencing ( chain link and privacy fences not applicable); Site work and preparation for new landscape improvements ( such as removing asphalt to install landscape beds and any soil amendments necessary for the landscape improvements); Signage (including replacement of nonconforming signs). Submittal Requirements Program applicants must submit the following documents and materials: Streetscape Grant Application. Site plan depicting the proposed improvements; 2  I 14. t. b I A complete list of eligible amenities to be provided, including a detailed cost estimate for each, a breakdown of project cost to be paid by the applicant and the amount of the grant request. Draft Maintenance Agreement between the City and the property owner for maintenance of the proposed improvements. If the improvements lie within an FDOT right -of w -