Item 2C: Approval of Neighborhood Matching Grants for FY12

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Grant applications were solicited through media releases and outreach to neighborhood associations, community organizations and previous grant recipients. Nine applications were initially submitted for consideration during the pre-review process; three applicants opted not to submit a final application for various reasons. Six proposals were submitted for final consideration: 1)CAN Walkability Project (Churchill Area Neighbors); 2)South University Traffic Enhancement Project (South University Neighborhood Association); 3)Tree Inventory and Assessment (Jefferson Westside Neighbors); 4)Map Your Neighborhood Project – Action Plan Eugene (Amazon, Southeast Neighbors, Friendly Area Neighbors); 5)Whilamut Natural Area Gateway Restoration Project (Harlow Neighbors); and, 6)Willakenzie Grange Site Improvements (Harlow Neighbors). The Neighborhood Matching Grants Department Advisory Committee met with all six applicants on March 12, 2012, and recommended that all projects receive funding. The six proposals total $25,564.84 in grant funding and are described in Attachment A. RELATED CITY POLICIES Implementing a neighborhood matching grant program was a high-priority action item identified in the Neighborhood Empowerment Initiative. By leveraging neighborhood and community resources, the program supports council goals and outcomes for a safe community, sustainable development, accessible and thriving culture and recreation, effective and accountable municipal government, and fair, stable and adequate financial resources. Grant applications are scored by the advisory committee based on the following criteria: tangible neighborhood benefit, neighborhood community involvement, project readiness and sustainability values. Sustainability values are based on the City’s triple bottom line framework and include impacts to environmental health or ability to address climate change; impacts on the local economy and/or use of public resources; and project contributions to social equity through benefits to underrepresented or vulnerable populations or by promoting safety, cultural awareness, and building of community relationships. COUNCIL OPTIONS The council may approve, amend, or deny the grant recommendations. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION The City Manager recommends the City Council approve all of the grant recommendations. SUGGESTED MOTION Move to direct the City Manager to fund the fiscal year 2012 Neighborhood Matching Grant proposals as recommended by the department advisory committee. S:\CMO\2012 Council Agendas\M120409\S1204092C.doc