Subject:
Grant Agreement for Lealman Community Redevelopment Area Residential Improvement Program.
Recommended Action:
Approval and execution by the County Administrator for a contract related to the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Residential Improvement Program. This grant program is included on the Fiscal Year 2025 Lealman Work Plan and Budget approved by the Board of County Commissioners sitting as the Community Redevelopment Agency during their regular meeting on September 19, 2024.
The Residential Improvement Program aims to encourage and incentivize improving and enhancing the exterior appearance of the applicant’s home and property. To be eligible for grant funds, the property must be located within the boundaries of the Lealman CRA. It must also be structurally sound and meet Florida building codes and local housing codes. Grant awards of up to $15,000.00 are available for residential façade and site improvements.
The grant request submitted is for the following project in Lealman.
• This contract is to replace the originally approved contract by county administrator for this project. Original contract was improperly executed due to vendor providing improper corporate information.
• In this staff report, we have included the originally executed approval package for review.
• The property in question is: 4407 44th Ave. N., Lealman, FL, 33714. The work includes fence replacement, landscaping, painting, railing and window replacements for a total project cost of $14,724.56.
• Five contracts required approval, four contracts were already approved
o This contract replaces the Window Pane Solutions, LLC contract for window replacement in the amount of $2,750.00.
o This corrected contract is with Handy Pros LLC for the same contract amount of $2,750.00.
• The current lag of grant applications submitted under the prior guidelines are 15 applications (not yet executed contracts) and 8 executed contracts (not yet paid out) that will submit for payments after project(s) and final inspection(s) are completed.
• Funding for this agreement is included in the FY25 Operating Budget for Lealman CRA in the Lealman Community Redevelopment Agency Trust Fund.
Strategic Priorities:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.1 Increase the availability of attainable housing
Summary:
The Residential Improvement Program aims to encourage and incentivize improving and enhancing the exterior appearance of the applicant’s home and property. Properties must be located within the boundaries of the Lealman CRA to be eligible for grant funds. Eligible properties include single-family detached houses, townhomes, villas, cooperatives, condominiums, and manufactured housing. The property must be structurally sound, meet Florida Building Codes, and local housing codes. Up to $15,000.00 is available for residential site and façade improvements.
Background Information:
This grant program is included on the FY25 Lealman Work Plan and Budget, approved by the Board of County Commissioners sitting as the Community Redevelopment Agency during their regular meeting on September 19, 2024. A copy of the Work Plan is attached to this item.
Grant applicants are required to execute an Acceptance of Grant and Conditions, which lists all contracts associated with the grant and acknowledges the applicant’s receipt of and adherence to program guidelines, as well as a Rehabilitation Work Contract with each contractor providing services.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding for this payment request of $14,724.56 and is included in the FY25 Operating Budget for Lealman CRA in the Lealman Community Redevelopment Agency Trust Fund.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign these Grant Agreements is granted via the Agency’s approval of the FY25 Lealman Work Plan.
Staff Member Responsible:
Cameron Ehmig, CRA Specialist, Lealman Community
Felix D Nunez, CRA Coordinator, Lealman Community
Partners:
Lealman CRA Advisory Committee
Lealman residents, businesses, stakeholders, and community partners