Title
Streamline the Efforts of Those Agencies Providing Child Victim Services Throughout the City - CCOM Strategic Initiative (NB)
Strategic initiatives have been referred to Standing Committees and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), to promote efficient and effective communication streams between elected officials, city staff and Gainesville residents concerning the implementation of the City's Strategic Plan. This item is a request for the City Commission to receive an update on the progress of Strategic Initiative 3.4: Streamline Efforts to Provide Child Victim Services throughout the City.
Explanation
On October 2, 2008 the City Commission referred each Strategic Initiative included in the FY 09/10 Strategic Plan to City Commission Standing Committees and the CRA to give elected officials the opportunity to receive updates on the progress of each strategic initiative and give policy guidance on the implementation of the strategic plan throughout the year.
This Strategic Initiative was most recently discussed at the June 28 and August 28, 2012 Public Safety Committee meetings which included representatives of the Child Advocacy Center. The main focus of this Strategic Initiative is the creation of a Family Safety Center. The August 28 Committee meeting led to a discussion of possible future uses of the old US Army Reserve Property on NE 8th Avenue. Representatives of the Child Advocacy Center expressed interest in potential use of the US Army Reserve Property as a joint agency Family Safety Center.
Commissioner Randy Wells attended the August 28 Committee meeting and was able to provide background on the US Army Reserve property. Commissioner Wells first raised the issue of potential City acquisition of the old US Army Reserve property. It was subsequently determined that the property was originally a City-owned property before being transferred to the federal government in 1950 with a reverter clause that the property would return to the City if no longer needed by the federal government. The federal government has communicated its intent to transfer the property back to the City.
City staff has been pursuing environmental assessment of the property and is determining the annual cost for basic maintenance. City staff expects to bring an agenda item to the City Commission in the near future regarding acceptance of the property back into City ownership. Commissioner Wells also updated the Committee on his thoughts for engaging nearby neighborhoods to establish criteria for future use of the Armory space. The City Commission previously endorsed Commissioner Wells' idea of holding a Neighborhood Visioning Session regarding the future of the property. There is also an existing referral in the Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Public Works Committee related to the US Army Reserve property.
Fiscal Note
There is no fiscal impact at this time. Annual costs for basic maintenance of the US Army Reserve property in its current condition will be provided as part of a future agenda item the agenda item.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) identify community issues, concerns, and recommended criteria for future use of the US Army Reserve property; 2) solicit input from City Commissioners on criteria for future use of the property; 3) request that City staff develop criteria for rating and approving uses of the property; and 4) direct City staff to work with the Child Advocacy Center to research possible use of Community Development Block Grant funding.