AGENDA DATE: 6/14/2017
TITLE:
Title
Neighborhood Improvements Funding Initiative
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Endorse funding allocation by Community Advisory Committee (CAC) areas and approve a process moving forward for scoping and selecting projects for the Neighborhood Improvements Funding Initiative process.
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Walker, Catlin, Henry, Kilroy
PRESENTER (S): Lee Catlin, Emily Kilroy
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Douglas C. Walker
BACKGROUND: During the Two Year Financial Plan process, the Board directed staff to allocate $1.4 million in one-time funding to support neighborhood level improvement projects prioritized with community feedback and leadership from the County’s Community Advisory Committees (CACs). In February, the Board directed staff to proceed with the first several steps in the proposed process and in March, the Board directed an additional $200,000 be allocated for support costs associated with implementing the program, including a Neighborhood Planner position in Community Development. In May, staff presented the prioritized list of projects by each CAC area and was directed by the Board to return in June with options for funding allocation to each CAC area and a proposed community process to move toward final project approval by the Board this fall.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Thriving Development Areas: Attract quality employment, commercial, and high density residential uses into development areas by providing services and infrastructure that encourage redevelopment and private investment while protecting the quality of neighborhoods.
DISCUSSION: Staff has taken guidance provided by the Board during the May 10, 2017 work session to develop two options for allocating the $1.4 million Neighborhood Improvement Funding Initiative (NIFI) funding among the CAC-areas (Attachment A). Option 1 divides the funds equally among the 7 CAC areas ($200,000 each) and Option 2 provides a minimum of $75,000 to each CAC area and allocates the remaining funds by population ($113,500-$257,000). The Board also directed staff to outline a draft community process for moving NIFI forward (Attachment B). The proposed process runs from July through October and entails formal scoping of priority projects and a final project approval by the Board. Staff reviewed the prioritized project list by area and provided remarks regarding next steps and project estimates as available (Attachment C).
The Board further requested that all of the transit-related project ideas put forth during the NIFI process be aggregated and included in the materials for the regional transit partnership being considered this summer (Attachment D).
BUDGET IMPACT: The Board has directed that $1.4 million in one-time funding be allocated to this program, as well as $200,000 in support costs allocated from on-going funding.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Board endorses its preferred funding allocation option and approve the process moving forward in which the community selects their overall top projects and project champions work with staff and consultant services on scoping in order to inform a final project selection by the CACs in late summer leading to final Board of Supervisors consideration in the fall.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A - Options for Funding Allocation
Attachment B - Proposed Process & Responsibilities for NIFI
Attachment C - Prioritized Project Lists by Area, revised
Attachment D - Transit Project Suggestions