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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 216-11 Facade Improv Grant Prog RESOLUTION NO. 216 - 11 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN ********* ADOPTING A COMMERCIAL FACADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM WHEREAS, the City Council has made economic development a high priority and has asked Staff to evaluate possible incentives to renovate or update commercial areas in Dublin; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to develop the commercial fagade improvement grant program; and WHEREAS, the Program offers commercial property owners, or tenants with long-term leases (five or more years remaining on the lease at the time a Program application is submitted) to apply for either 1) a mini-grant for reimbursement of up to five thousand dollars ($5,000); or 2) a matching grant, which would provide reimbursement for two-thirds of the cost of certain commercial building fagade improvements; and WHEREAS, the City will also provide architectural design services to approved applicants, up to a maximum of five hours, for exterior commercial building fagade improvements; and WHEREAS, the City Council believes that this Program would encourage the leveraging of public funds and private investment to enhance the physical appearance and economic vitality of commercial businesses in the Downtown Dublin Specific Plan Area and the segment of Dublin Boulevard between Village Parkway and Dougherty Road. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council adopts the Commercial Fagade Improvement Grant Program attached hereto as Exhibit A. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager is authorized and directed to waive City fees associated with development costs, time and materials and building permit fees except for fees mandated by the State of California, for projects that receive approval for grant funding under the Commercial Fagade Improvement Grant Program. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of December, 2011, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Biddle, Hildenbrand, Swalwell, and Mayor Sbranti NOES: None ABSENT: Vice Mayor Hart ABSTAIN: None JfltJ Mayor Ala! fi;'( City Clerk Reso No. 216-11, Adopted 12-20-11, Item 8.2 Page 1 of 1 Exhibit A D CITY OF . UBLIN COMMERCIAL FACADE IMPROVEMENT ~ GRANT PROGRAM GUIDELINES I. PROGRAM OVERVIEW The Commercial Fac;:ade Improvement Grant Program ("Program") is an endeavor of the City of Dublin .to leverage public funds and private investment to enhance the physical appearance and economic vitality of commercial businesses in the Downtown Dublin Specific Plan Area and the segment of Dublin Boulevard between Village Parkway and Dougherty Road. . The Program offers two fac;:ade improvement grants, as well as up to a maximum of five hours of architectural fees to help cover design costs. The long-term objective is to upgrade the Downtown Dublin Specific Plan Area and the segment of Dublin Boulevard between Village Parkway and Dougherty Road by improving the physical appearance of the area, encouraging the retention of existing businesses, increasing property values, tenant stability, and lease rates for the property. II. PROGRAM COMPONENTS A. Architectural Design The City will provide architectural design services to approved applicants, up to a maximum of fiye hours, for exterior commercial building fac;:ade improvements. B. Facade Improvement Grants i. Mini-Grant - This grant provides for reimbursement of up to Five Thousand dollars ($5,000) for commercial building fac;:ade improvements with no match requirement. ii. Matching Grant - This grant provides reimbursement for two-thirds of the cost of commercial building fac;:ade improvements. The total cost of the improvement work must be more than Five Thousand dollars ($5,000), and may not exceed a maximum amount determined by the Fiscal Year budget cycle annually (in Fiscal Year 2011/2012, the maximum amount is Seventy Thousand dollars ($70,000)). Receipt of a matching grant requires the approved applicant to contribute one-third of the total cost of the fac;:ade improvement costs. Grant proceeds are to be used for labor and materials directly related to the fac;:ade construction. Tools may not be purchased with grant funds, but tool rental is allowable. ' All improyements completed through the Fac;:ade Improvement Program are "public work" as that term is used in Section 1720 of the California Labor Code. In accordance with Labor Code section 1720 et seq., prevailing wages shall be paid for all fac;:ade improvements. All estimates and payments for construction and installation of fac;:ade improvements shall include prevailing wages, and shall otherwise. comply with the provisions of Sections 1773.8, 1775, 1776, 1777.5, 1777.6 and 1813 of the California Labor Code and all other applicable laws and regulations with respect to prevailing wages. All contractors awarded a work contract under this program will be required to provide certified payroll documents to City staff. Disbursement of grant proceeds to approved applicants will be in a reimbursement payment issued after City deems the project complete, and upon the submission of invoices and proof of payment and subject to approval of those invoices and proofs of payment by City staff. Construction shall be completed within 120 days after the City issued Notice to Proceed. If the project extends beyond the scheduled completion date, prior staff approval is required. This program is primarily geared toward commercial property owners. However, business owners who have long-term leases (five or more year~) wishing to participate in the Fac;:ade Improvement Program may also apply. Applications for business owners will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. C. Fee Exemption The following exemption applies: 1. The City Manager is authorized to waive City fees associated with development costs, time and materials and building permit fees for projects that receive grant funding under the Commercial Fac;:ade Improvement Grant Program. This fee exemption does not apply to fees mandated by the State of California including, but not limited to, the Strong Motion Instrument program fee and California Green Building fees. III. ELIGIBILITY A. Eligible Applicants/Areas Owners or long-term tenants* of commercially zoned property located within one of the following areas are eligible to apply for assistance: 1. Downtown Dublin Specific Plan area, or 2. Segment of Dublin Boulevard between Village Pkwy and Dougherty Rd. *Tenants with long-term leases (five or more years remaining on the lease at the time a Program application is submitted) must have the property owner's written consent before any improvements are made. In addition, the grant application must be signed by the property owner. B. Eligible Types of Improvements Eligible improvements include, but are not limited to: . Removal of old signs, awnings and other exterior clutter .' Exterior cleaning and painting . Repair or replacement of exterior siding (including the construction of new fac;:ade elements and architectural details) . Installation of new entry doors that meet ADA accessibility requirements. . Installation of display windows . Installation of new canvas awnings over windows and entries . Installation of new signs . Installation of new exterior lighting . Installation of permanent landscaping . Exterior mandatory Title 24 upgrades Additional improvements that are deemed to be consistent with the intent of the program will be reviewed and approved/disapproved on a case-by-case basis by the Economic Development Director. C. Review Process All proposed fac;:ade projects/remodels must be approved by the Community Development Director prior to being accepted into the program. Project improvements commenced prior to City approval are not eligible for this Program. IV. FUNDING Funding for this Program is appropriated by the Dublin City Council as part of its annual budget process. There is no guarantee of the amount of funds that will be appropriated each year. Funds for the Program are available on a first come, first served basis. If funds are exhausted at the time of application submittal, staff will retain the application. If additional funds become available, staff will contact applicants in the order applications were received. A. Grant Amounts Eligible property owners or tenants who propose fac;:ade improvements can apply for one of two grants. 1. Mini-Grant This grant provides reimbursement for commercial building fac;:ade improvements to approved applicants in the amount of up to Five Thousand dollars ($5;000), with no match requirement. 2. Matching Grant This grant provides reimbursement to approved applicants for two-thirds of the cost of commercial building fac;:ade improvements. The total cost of the fac;:ade remodel must be more than Five Thousand dollars ($5,000), and may not exceed Seventy Thousand dollars ($70,000). The amount of the City grant shall not exceed two-thirds of a maximum of Seventy Thousand dollars ($70,000) in eligible expenses. The Matching Grant requires the applicant to contribute one-third of the total cost of the fac;:ade remodel, and to document its expenditures. Disbursement of grant proceeds to approved applicants will be in a reimbursement payment issued after City deems the project complete. All reimbursement requests must include proof of payment and other supporting documentation, as deemed necessary by the City (i.e. invoices, cancelled checks, etc.), sufficient to demonstrate to the City's satisfaction that all fac;:ade improvement costs have been paid. The City of Dublin reserves the right to cancel or modify this Program at any time prior to grant approval, without notice. Continuation of the Program is subject to sufficient funding as. appropriated by the Dublin City Council. V. IMPLEMENTATION WORK All improvements shall conform to the City of Dublin Building Codes, Zoning Ordinance, and applicable Design Guidelines. Proposed fac;:ade remodels are required to comply with Chapter 8.104 of the Site Development Review Chapter of the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 8.104). Project improvements commenced prior to the City's issuance of a Notice to Proceed are not eligible for this Program. City staff will be available to work with approved applicants to assist in the coordination of the project. City staff will carry out periodic inspections. I, have read and received a copy of these guidelines. Printed Name Date Signature DUBLiN COMMERC~LFACADEIMPROVEMENT ~ GRANT PROGRAM ApPLICATION Please fill out this application completely and submit or send to: City of Dublin Attention: Economic Development Department 100 Civic Plaza Dublin, CA 94568 (925) 833-6650 SECTION 1. APPLICANT INFORMATION Name: Circle All That Apply: Property Owner Business Owner/Tenant Business Name: Property Address: Mailing Address: Assessor's Parcel Number: Daytime Phone Number: Email: Total Number of Businesses in Building: Name(s) of Other Businesses: SECTION 2. PROPERTY OWNER INFORMATION (complete if tenant is applicant) Property Owner Name: Property Owner Mailing Address: Property Owner Daytime Phone Number: As the legal owner of the above property, I hereby grant authorization to complete the far;ade improvements indicated on this application. Signature: Date: SECTION 3. FUNDING Grant (please check one): D Mini-Grant (Reimbursement in the amount up to $5,000) D Matching Grant (Reimbursement of two-thirds the total project cost from $5,000 up to $70,000) Grant Amount Requested: $ Estimated Total Project Cost: $ SECTION 4. SCOPE OF WORK General Description of Work: SECTION 5. ACKNOWLEDGMENT We certify that the owner is the property owner of record and that there are no current code enforcement actions pending against the property. I have read and understand the Program Guidelines and accept them. I certify that I am qualified and will abide by such conditions set forth in this application and all reasonable conditions which may be issued by the City of Dublin in the implementation of this project. . Property Owner(s) Signature: Date: Date: Business Owner(s) Signature: Date: Date: 1755179.1