HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2D: Approval of Neighborhood Matching Grants
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Approval of Neighborhood Matching Grants
Meeting Date: May 12, 2008 Agenda Item Number: 2D
Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Michael Kinnison
www.eugene-or.gov/neighborhoods Contact Telephone Number: 682-5009
ISSUE STATEMENT
The City Council is asked to approve the FY08 Neighborhood Matching Grant proposals recommended
for funding by the Department Advisory Committee.
BACKGROUND
On June 12, 2000, City Council adopted Resolution 4632, approving and adopting standards and
guidelines for operation of a Neighborhood Matching Grants program.
Between FY00 and FY03, seven previous sets of applications were submitted to the council. After a
three-year hiatus, funding was reinstated in FY07 for an additional three years, at $50,000/year. To
date, over $321,000 in matching grants have funded 61 projects spread among 18 different
neighborhood associations.
For FY08, the Department Advisory Committee held four meetings in April in which public comment
was received and applicants were provided an opportunity to respond to questions about their proposals.
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Ten proposals were reviewed and ranked by the committee. One proposal (5 and Blair Right-of -Way
Improvement Project) was dropped from consideration after the required neighborhood association
endorsement was rescinded. The proposal with the lowest score (Amazon Beautification) in the project
rankings is not considered by the Department Advisory Committee to be a good fit for a matching grant
and is not recommended for funding. The eight remaining proposals, totaling over $30,341 in grant
requests, are recommended for full funding. The following summary of recommended projects lists the
applicant organization, associated neighborhood and requested grant amounts in parenthesis.
Willakenzie Field Team Benches (Cub Scout Pack 20, Harlow, $950):
This project will provide two
aluminum team benches for the baseball field in Willakenzie Park. The fields currently provide no
seating for players.
Edison Elementary Garden and Composting Project (Edison Elementary School Garden
Committee, South University, $1,500):
This project will expand a garden and composting program at
Edison Elementary School. The program will be integrated into school activities and curricula,
incorporate experienced gardeners from the neighborhood, reduce cafeteria waste and teach valuable
lessons on growing food, recycling and caring for the soil.
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Eugene Masonic Cemetery 150th Anniversary Event (Friends of Eugene Masonic Cemetery,
Amazon, $1,565):
This grant will fund two neighborhood and community building events to celebrate
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the 150 anniversary of Eugene’s oldest cemetery as well as pay tribute to the State of Oregon’s
sesquicentennial. The events will consist of a pioneer potluck picnic in the public square for Amazon
Neighbors and a student historical art show in Hope Abbey Mausoleum for the community at large.
Moon Mountain Trail (Laurel Hill Valley Citizens, Laurel Hill Valley, $1,914):
This project is
Phase 1 of a two-phase process for establishing a hiking trail in Moon Mountain Park. The first phase
involves a rare plant survey, trail corridor identification and removal of invasive species in the trail
corridor. Additional funds will need to be secured for the actual trail construction (Phase 2).
West Eugene Community Mural (West Eugene Community Mural Project, Far West, $3,569):
This project offers teen mentorship, family, local business and artist participation in completing a
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permanent mural on the walls of Knecht’s Auto Parts on West 11 Avenue. The mural is a colorful
vision of people, bicycles, a parade, trees and animals that was initially inspired by a desire to create
something beautiful to replace a bare wall that was frequently defaced with graffiti.
Churchill Community Garden Deer Fence (Friends of Churchill Gardens, Churchill, $5,423):
This project involves replacing a dilapidated fence around Churchill Community Gardens to deter
vandalism and significant loss from nutria and deer. The garden provides plots to low income families,
is a source of food for Food for Lane County and serves as an outdoor classroom utilized by six local
schools.
Holt Fitness Track (Bertha Holt Elementary School, Harlow, $7,120):
This project will result in the
construction of a 10-foot wide, 440-foot long, wood chip surface fitness track for use by students and the
public at Bertha Holt Elementary School. School children currently have no facility on the grounds to
support track activities.
Spring Creek Neighbors Natural Gardens (Santa Clara Community Organization, Santa Clara,
$8,300):
This project promotes stewardship and restoration of Spring Creek through community
workshops, a media campaign, exotic plant removal and native plantings and partnerships with local
schools. Adjacent landowners will be the focus of an education campaign aimed at reestablishing native
flora along the creek to stream function and storm water attenuation. Restoration activities will focus on
Awbrey Park and Spring Creek Elementary School. Project activities will be integrated with the Spring
Creek Elementary lab and curriculum program.
RELATED CITY POLICIES
This initiative is consistent with the council’s Neighborhood Empowerment Initiative and supports the
following priorities identified in the Neighborhood Action Plan:
·Implement Neighborhood Matching Grants
·Promote Neighborhood Identity
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COUNCIL OPTIONS
The City Council may approve, amend or deny the grants recommended for funding by the Department
Advisory Committee.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends that the City Council approve all the grants recommended for funding
by the Department Advisory Committee.
SUGGESTED MOTION
Move to direct the City Manager to fund the FY08 Neighborhood Matching Grant proposals as
recommended by the Department Advisory Committee.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Michael Kinnison, Neighborhood Planner
Telephone: 682-5009
Staff E-Mail: michael.j.kinnison@ci.eugene.or.us
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