Title
Neighborhood Planning Program (B)
This item involves selection of a neighborhood association to participate in the City's Neighborhood Planning Program (NPP). The City Commission allocated $10,000 for neighborhood improvements and beautification projects in a NPP neighborhood.
Explanation
Since 1998, the City has selected 21 neighborhood associations to participate in the NPP. The program has assisted those neighborhood associations in identifying the neighborhoods' strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The NPP has also assisted the neighborhoods in identifying, prioritizing, and implementing potential projects and solutions. Examples of projects completed through the NPP include (but are not limited to) landscaping public areas, installing bus shelters, and installing park equipment.
On May 12, 2009, applications for inclusion in the NPP were mailed or emailed to each registered neighborhood association that is not currently participating, or had not previously participated, in the program. The deadline to complete and return the applications was August 3, 2009.
Neighborhood associations representing two Northwest Gainesville neighborhoods, Pineridge and Mason Manor, completed and returned the application.
Based on analysis of several criteria detailed in The NPP Guidelines and Procedures, the neighborhoods were ranked as follows:
1. Pineridge
2. Mason Manor
The FY 2010 budget funds the addition of one neighborhood to the NPP. The rankings, based on the criteria, indicate that Pineridge should be that neighborhood. The Pineridge Owners Association is well organized and meets regularly. They routinely work with City departments to address various issues and to put on special events. Their application identified several potential NPP projects. For those reasons, staff feels that Pineridge would be a successful participant in the NPP.
Fiscal Note
There is funding available in the NPP budget to fund one neighborhood. Account #001-620-6202-4110 contains $10,000 allocated for a NPP neighborhood.
Recommendation
The City Commission approve the Pineridge neighborhood for inclusion in the Neighborhood Planning Program and authorize the use of $10,000 for that neighborhood.