TITLE
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Maricopa, Arizona authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Gila River Indian Community in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for the Heritage District Clean-up and Heritage District Facade Improvement Program. Discussion and Action.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
The passage of Proposition 202 by the Voters of Arizona in November 2000 set the stage for new gaming compacts between the State and the respective tribes. An important provision of Proposition was the sharing of gaming revenues with the State. A portion of the revenue to be shared can be retained by an Indian tribe and distributed itself. Proposition 202 allows an Indian tribe to make twelve percent (12%) of its total annual contribution in the following form: Distributions to cities, towns, or counties for government services that benefit the general public, including public safety, mitigation of the impacts of gaming, or promotion of commerce and economic development.
The Gila River Indian Community has decided to exercise its option to retain and administer the 12 percent of State-shared revenue itself.
The Community Council's policy is to generally limit the distributions to nearby cities and towns and counties but retain some flexibility to consider more distant but special situations.
ยท The priority areas the Community will initially concentrate funding on are:
o Public Safety (police, fire, EMS)
o Transportation Facilities
o Health Care Services
o Economic Development
o Education
In addition to these priority areas, the Community reserves the right to utilize its discretion in funding special programs and projects not included in the above listing, for example, the Community could also invite a particular city, town or county to submit an application for a mutually negotiated project.
The Economic Development Department is requesting $50,000 for the Heritage District Clean-Up and $50,000 for the Heritage District Facade Improvement Program.
The Heritage District Clean-up Program is built upon past clean-up and improvement efforts. As the program moves forward, the clean-up efforts will be dependent on an approved City code change providing new components to these efforts and ensuring sustainability through the elimination of special code exemptions. If City code changes are approved, Heritage District property owners will be required to gain compliance within 1 year and maintain compliance thereafter. The code changes and clean up measures required support City public safety and economic development goals by preventing future blight and health hazards from occurring within the Heritage District. The measures also make the area more attractive for new investment. The funds will be used to assist Heritage District property owners who may lack the resources to clean up and/or screen their properties.
The Facade Improvement Program will be open to residential and commercial properties within the Heritage District. Objectives of the program will be to encourage investment in the Heritage District; rehabilitate, enhance and beautify buildings in the area; enhance the appearance of the streetscape; and increase the attractiveness and marketability of the Heritage District Area. The program will provide, through an application process, up to $5,000 and no more than 50% of the project's total cost to finance the exterior improvements to a property owner or tenant's buildings that are aesthetically pleasing and are keeping with the Heritage District Design Guidelines.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends passing a resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Gila River Indian Community in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for the Heritage District Clean-up and Heritage District Facade Improvement Program.