Title
Authorize Recommended Changes to 2018 Neighborhood Block Watch Grant Application and Program Process
Description
This report requests City Council approval of changes to the 2018 Neighborhood Block Watch (NBW) grant application and program process as recommended by the Neighborhood Block Watch Oversight Committee.
Report
Summary
The NBW Oversight Committee was established to solicit, evaluate and recommend to the Mayor and City Council appropriate proposals to expend funds for the expansion of the Block Watch programs within the limits of the Neighborhood Protection Ordinance. This ordinance, known as Proposition 301, was adopted at a special election on Oct. 5, 1993. The City Council adopted the format and guidelines for this process on April 26, 1994.
The NBW Oversight Committee reviewed and approved requests to change the NBW grant application and program process during its meetings in May, June and August 2017. The NBW Oversight Committee is recommending the following changes become effective for the 2018 grant application process, which opens on Nov. 1, 2017.
The following is an outline of the NBW Oversight Committee recommended changes:
1. Change the restricted items list to increase the cap from $500 to $750 for the combined total of website hosting/maintenance/domain name, and add "email server" to the list.
2. Change the restricted items list for neighborhood event items to combine face painters and balloon artists, add disc jockeys, and cap each artist at $150 per neighborhood event.
3. Change the restricted items list regarding "regular copy printers" to say "regular copy printers, including maintenance" capped at $500.
4. For clarification purposes to assist grantees in successfully completing the grant application, add the following language to the grant application guide:
a. If the grant application includes a co-applicant, the co-applicant must provide the same grant application documents as required by the primary applicant.
b. Grant applications scoring below the City Council approved minimum score of 5.25 points will be disqualified and will not be eligible to appeal or receive funding.
c. Grant funds may not be used to pay for the administration of the grant itself, including payment to an accountant or individual to complete quarterly reports, or to pay Block Watch members for any services.
d. If applicants are eligible to appeal denied grant application funding, only the application contact and/or grant signers are allowed to present the appeal.
e. Failure to answer all questions and/or provide all required information may result in the application being disqualified, scored lower or items may be vetoed or capped.
f. If a narrative is not included with a budget category, the application may be disqualified, scored lower or items may be vetoed or capped.
g. When requesting Lawful Traffic Mitigation Devices, if the budget supplement document is not included with the application, the application may be disqualified, scored lower or items may be vetoed or capped.
h. Under allowable equipment purchases change fencing/gates and remove the word gates. (see Concurrence/Previous Council Action section)
Contract Term
The funding period for the 2018 NBW grants is July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019.
Financial Impact
No matching funds are required.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This item was unanimously approved by the Public Safety and Veterans Subcommittee on Sept. 13, 2017, with one change reference the strikethrough on h above. Subcommittee requested to add back in the word gates, and include installation of fences and gates as an allowable expense.
Location
Citywide
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr. and the Police Department on behalf of the Neighborhood Block Watch Oversight Committee.