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Amendatory Budget Resolution (B)
Explanation
Each year when the annual increment is determined, the CRA adopts an amendatory budget to appropriate unanticipated funds and any fund balance remaining from the previous years operating budget. This is an opportunity for adjustments to the budget and the addition of special projects that were not anticipated when the budget was prepared two years ago. The spreadsheet reflects the changes and recommendations.
The actual increment in each district was higher than budgeted. In College Park University Heights (CPUH) area, the budgeted amount was $899,593 while the actual increment was $1,078,283. Downtown the budgeted amount was $699,105, while the actual increment was $789,331. In the Fifth Avenue Pleasant Street (FAPS) area the budgeted amount was $180,902 and the actual increment was $259,353. In the Eastside area the budgeted amount was $156,284, while the actual increment was $258,111.
Each of the Redevelopment Advisory Boards has reviewed the budget and is recommending approval of those items listed below.
Proposed changes to CRA staffing- Staff is recommending two changes to the current CRA staff: the addition of a part time staff assistant and the expansion of the Downtown project coordinator position from 24 hours to regular full time.
Addition of a Part-Time Staff Assistant- Over the last five years the CRA has grown to four areas, completed two expansions, project coordination staff has grown from one person to four people, and the budget and number of projects has also grown considerably. However, support staff has remained the same. At this time, staff is recommending the addition of a part-time Staff Assistant 1. This additional staff will take over some of the more routine work in the office allowing our Senior Staff Assistant to focus on purchasing, contracts and more complex tasks. The costs would be as follows: CPUH $7,461; Downtown $5,441; Eastside $1,088 and FAPS $1,554.
Increase of current Project Coordinator position to full time- At present, the Downtown Project Coordinator position is a 24 hour a week position and DRAB is recommending that the position be expanded to a regular full time position. The additional cost to Downtown would be $12,086. Current staff has been key in expanding the redevelopment activities downtown. It is clear that full-time project coordination will continue to expand the redevelopment activities undertaken.
Proposed changes to operating expenses
Non Capital Equipment- This request is for non capital equipment associated with the new staff assistant position (desk, computer etc.) The breakdown is as follows: CPUH $1,900; Downtown $1,400; Eastside $280 and FAPS $400.
Dedicated legal services- Based on the same growth discussed in the need for additional support staff the CRA also requires an increased amount of legal services and those services are more complex. Until now the CRA has paid for legal services as part of the indirect funds; however, we have reached a point where we need dedicated legal services. The total cost for these services will be $58,329, broken down as follows: CPUH $27,998; Downtown $20,415; FAPS $ 5,833; and Eastside $4,083.
Proposed project budgets for projects that cross boundaries
Master Plan of Depot Park- As the Park project moves forward the City Commission has expanded its focus to the edges of the park and how they will redevelop. The edges of the park include areas within the College Park University Heights, Downtown and Eastside area and the adopted redevelopment plans support this type of planning activity.= Staff anticipates the total funding for this project will be $100,000 to be split between the three areas mentioned above and the City. Staff recommends the following breakdown: CPUH $50,000; Downtown $25,000, Eastside $10,000 and City $15,000. Fifth Avenue Pleasant Street does not border the Park and will not be funding this project.
Project related professional services - Staff is recommending that each district budget $15,000 for project related professional services. As the CRA projects become more complex, there is an increased need for outside professional services. Based on the project, the needs could include, but are not limited to, property appraisals, survey work, review of grant applications, or landscape architect services.
Proposed CPUH Projects - The CPUH Board met and recommended the following projects.
Public Spaces- The Advisory Board has discussed the importance of adding public art and other aesthetic improvements to public spaces, and it has also been emphasized in the redevelopment plan. The Advisory Board recommends that an additional $10,000 be allocated for public art for the SW 5th Avenue triangle.
Innovation Zone - The City Commission has selected as a goal this year to position the City to take advantage of innovation economy and identify a plan for an Innovation Zone near the University of Florida. A significant section of the College Park/University Heights Community Redevelopment Area will likely fall within this Innovation Zone. CPUH recommends allocating $23,000 for potential projects related to the Innovation Zone, such as marketing, planning, and professional services, as needed.
Streetscape Park/Matching - CPUH recommends the remaining $71,532 be placed in the Streetscape/Matching Fund account to provide for possible sidewalk projects or other roadway improvement proposals that may arise in the next year.
Proposed Downtown Project- DRAB met and recommended the following projects.
Plaza Improvements - Parks and Recreation has requested that the CRA fund $13,000 of landscape improvements to the Plaza associated with the Art in Public Places design. It has been determined that the funds dedicated to the Art in Public Places project cannot be used for landscaping. Parks and Recreation will use the $13,000 originally budgeted for additional hardscaping improvements.
Lot 13 Compactor Enclosure- DRAB has been working with Solid Waste on the design for a compactor enclosure on Lot 13. The enclosure will replace the facility on Lot 10 and will accommodate recycling and other solid waste needs for the surrounding area. DRAB is concerned that the facility be attractive as well as functional and to that end has recommended that $43,000 be budgeted for this project. Solid Waste is still working on the design for the facility and the CRA will received more information as the project moves forward.
Façade Grants - DRAB recommends the remaining $5,137 be budgeted in the Façade Grant account. DRAB is preparing a sign mini grant program and this funding would be used for that program.
Proposed Eastside Projects- The Eastside Board met and made several recommendations. At the time of the meeting staff was encouraging the Boards to budget for a University Avenue Banner project. The Eastside Board agreed to recommend $7,500 for banners to be part of the larger project. However they were somewhat uncomfortable with the project. Since that meeting other funding issues have made that project impossible at this time and staff is recommending the $7,500 be placed in the University Avenue Median project account.
Expansion Area Redevelopment Plan- The City of Gainesville will fund the Findings of Necessity for the expansion area; however the CRA needs to budget for the redevelopment plan for the area if there is a finding of slum and blight. ERAB is recommending $20,000 for this project.
East University Avenue Median Project- ERAB recommends that the remaining $54,316 be placed in the University Avenue Median project to replace the funding shifted to pay for staff.
Proposed FAPS Projects- The FAPS Board met and recommended the following;
Commercial/Mixed Use Grant for Historic Properties - Staff is developing a new grant program targeting and providing funding for some of the other extraordinary costs associated with the re-use of historic properties for commercial or mixed use purposes. Staff will present the program at the February or March board meeting. FAPS recommends that $5,000 be budgeted for this new program.
Northwest 5th Avenue Banner Program - Several years ago FAPS purchased holiday banners for NW 5th Avenue. FAPS is recommending additional banners be purchased that can be used the remainder of the year. Banners are often used to help focus attention to changes on key corridors ready for redevelopment.
Tot Lot Project - FAPS is recommending that $10,000 be budgeted for the Tot Lot Project. These funds will be used for improvements to the park.
A Quinn Jones Project - FAPS is recommending $10,000 be budgeted towards the capital needs of this project. Dr. Moore will be present at the meeting to discuss the project in detail.
NW 5th Avenue RFP - FAPS is recommending that $5,000 be budgeted for this project to be used to acquire options on the necessary properties, title and encumbrance reports and survey work if needed.
Model Block Project - FAPS is recommending that $22,869 be budgeted towards the Model Block project. This is still the major project in the FAPS area and with the addition of the SFCC houses there is need for additional funds.
Fiscal Note
As presented for each district.
Recommendation
Executive Director: Recommend the CRA adopt Resolution 050940, thus approving a budget for FY05-06 as described above.