Title
Neighborhood Planning Program Selection (B)
This item involves selection of two neighborhood associations to participate in the City's Neighborhood Planning Program (NPP). The City Commission allocated $15,000 for Neighborhood Improvement Program projects in NPP neighborhoods.
Explanation
Since 1998, the City has selected 19 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 January 28th, 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 April 1st, 2009.
Neighborhood associations representing two neighborhoods, Turkey Creek Forest and Hidden Lake, completed and returned the application. Both of these neighborhood associations have applied previously, an experience which has appeared to strengthen their current applications.
Based on analysis of several criteria detailed in The NPP Guidelines and Procedures, the neighborhoods were ranked as follows:
1. Hidden Lake
2. Turkey Creek Forest
Program guidelines allow selection of up to two neighborhoods. Currently, there is sufficient funding available to add two neighborhoods to the NPP. Prior to the current fiscal year (2008-09), the City Commission allocated $30,000 per year to choose two neighborhoods per year to participate in the NPP. Since only one neighborhood was added in FY 2007-08, $15,000 remains available. In addition, the City Commission allocated $15,000 in FY 2008-09 for a neighborhood.
Since funding is available for two neighborhoods, and staff feels that both neighborhoods that applied can be successful participants in the NPP, staff recommends that the Turkey Creek Forest and Hidden Lake neighborhoods be added to the Neighborhood Planning Program.
Hidden Lake is a small, quiet, stable neighborhood located in the growing northern part of the City. A large portion of the neighborhood consists of families with school aged children. In contrast, Turkey Creek Forest is restricted to persons 55 years of age or older. It is also larger and located on a busier road. Like Hidden Lake, Turkey Creek Forest is located in the northern part of Gainesville.
Both neighborhood associations are active and well organized. They have experience with both events and projects. Their applications demonstrated creative, practical ideas for potential projects.
Fiscal Note
There is funding available in the NPP budget to fund two neighborhoods.
Account #123-790-N120-5150-4110 contains $15,000 allocated for a NPP neighborhood. That account was established in FY 2007-08 as a multi-year account, but was not used since only one application was received for that application round. Account #123-790-N121-5150-4110 contains $15,000 allocated for a NPP neighborhood in FY 2008-09.
Recommendation
Staff to City Commission: Select the Hidden Lake and Turkey Creek Forest neighborhoods for inclusion in the Neighborhood Planning Program, and authorize the use of $15,000 for each neighborhood.
Alternative recommendation: Select only one neighborhood or do not expand the Neighborhood Planning Program this year.