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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-1998-154 Grant Application / Telecommunications & Infrastructure Planning Project / Community & Econmic Development• RESOLUTION NO. R-98-15 4 A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager to execute and submit a grant application to the United States Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration, regarding economic development planning assistance for the Downtown Telecommunications and Technology Planning Project. WHEREAS, economic development is a priority of the City of Yakima, and the City intends to approach economic development on a comprehensive basis involving public, private and community-based efforts to achieve new investment and redevelopment in the City; and WHEREAS, the Seattle Regional Office of the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has invited the City of Yakima to submit a grant application for fiscal year 1999 economic development planning assistance under the authority of Section 302(a) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended; and WHEREAS, the proposed project, which is authorized for $75,000 in Federal funds and requires a local match of $25,000 from the City of Yakima; WHEREAS, the proposed project will take place within the targeted area of the City for the Community Development Block Grant program; and WHEREAS, based on the foregoing, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the City to authorize said grant application to the United States Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA: The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to execute and submit a grant application to the United States Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration regarding economic development planning assistance for the Downtown Telecommunications and Technology Planning Project. The City Manager is also hereby • designated as the official City representative to act in connection with the application and nomination, and is authorized to take such additional actions as may be necessary and reasonable to complete the application process. ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 8th day of December, 1998 John Puccinelli, Mayor ATTEST: 1*)- - v.. City Clerk • • NOV 13 698 Mr. William Cook Director Department of Community and Economic Development City of Yakima 129 North 2nd Street Yakima, WA 98901 Dear Mr. Cook: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Economic Development Administration Jackson Federal Building, Room 1856 915 Second Avenue Seattle, Washington 98174 Fax: (206) 220-7669 P..T NOv1tila='" v0MMUNi T Y DEVELOPiiiEN The Seattle Regional Office of the Economic Development Administration (EDA) invites the City of Yakima to submit an application for fiscal year 1999 economic development planning assistance under the authority of Section 302(a) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended. The proposed project, which is authorized for $75,000 in Federal funds and requires a local match of $25,000. The application should be submitted to Bettye J. Atkinson, Chief, Planning/Technical Assistance Division, at the above address no later than December 11, 1998. A copy of the application should also be submitted to the Economic Development Representative tor Washington, Lloyd Kirry, in our office. Because EDA will process applications in accordance with their completeness and timely submittal, final review and action cannot begin until all application materials are accurately completed and submitted. The application package must include: 1. A completed ED -900A - Application for Federal Assistance, with all necessary attachments, exhibits and figures. 2. A one page summary of the proposed scope -of -work (work program) derived from the program narrative (p. A-11, Part 1II-2. Methodology). 3. A copy of the most recent organizationai audit. 4. A copy of the negotiated/approved indirect cost rate plan, if indirect costs are to he assessed in the project. 5. Evidence of a fidelity bond/insurance that is at least equal to the amount of a single disbursement (generally one-half of the grant amount). 6. A staffing plan listing all positions directly involved in conducting the scope -of -work and to be supported by project funding; an example is enclosed. Several forms in the application package are not applicable to Planning Grants: Exhibit 5.a, Exhibit 6 and Exhihit S. Additionally_ p. 6_' #10 is not applicahle at this time_ EDA has performance measures Additionally, 1 developed1 which will be attached to your award documents as Special Conditions with an explanation of reporting requirements. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact Jacob Macias, Community Planner, at 206--220-7666 or Ms. Atkinson, (206) 220-7665 . THIS INVITATION TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION IS BY NO MEANS AN INDICATION THAT EDA WILL APPROVE YOUR APPLICATION. EDA IS AUTHORIZING APPLICATIONS WHICH COLLECTIVELY EXCEED THE FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR THIS YEAR. YOUR PROPOSAL WILL BE IN COMPETITION WITH OTHER WORTHY PROJECTS. Sincerely, tA.O .moi �; i A� nard smith d Regional Director enclosures cc: Lloyd Kirry, EDR ITEM TITLE: BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. F For Meeting Of December 8, 1998 Consideration of a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit a grant application to the United States Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA).for the Downtown Telecommunications and Infrastructure Planning Project. SUBMITTED BY: Bill Cook, Director of Community and Economic Development CONTACT: Michael A. Morales 575-3533 SUMMARY EXPLANATION: The Department of Community and Economic Development has been working with the EDA to develop a program to assist the City for the development and financing of telecommunications and physical infrastructure improvements to the downtown area of Yakima. Following meetings with staff in June of 1998, EDA representatives recommended that the City utilize the 302-A planning grant. A pre -application concept paper was submitted to the EDA regional office in early November, and the City was recently invited to submit a full formal application for funding (see attached letter from Leonard Smith of EDA). The grant application is for $75,000, with a $25,000 local match coming from FY 1999 Community Development Block Grant funds. As indicated in the attached proposal narrative, EDA funds would be used to hire a consultant to carry out the work plan. CDBG funds would primarily be in the form of in-kind services provided by staff in administering and monitoring the project. The application represents a reestablishment of a relationship with EDA that it is very important to financing future economic development and infrastructure initiatives. 302-A planning grants are commonly used by many cities to include EDA as part of a development and financing package from the conceptual stages. The program is often used as an initial step toward securing larger awards for capital improvement projects that are planned with the funds. Resolution X Ordinance _ Contract _ Other: Grant Application Funding Source: N/A Approval for Submittal: City Manager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: BOARD RECOMMENDATION: COUNCIL ACTION: Staff recommends approval. Project Description: Briefly describe components of the project. For constriction projects, attach a topographic map showing the location of the project. The City of Yakima is the principal city in Central Washington and serves as the seat for Yakima County. It is located at the confluence of the Yakima and Naches Rivers on the floor of the Yakima Valley. The city encompasses 19.4 square miles and supports an estimated 1997 citizen population of 63,510, as well as an urban area of nearly 100,000 residents. The city is 145 southeast of Seattle, 200 miles southwest of Spokane, and 180 miles northeast of Portland, Oregon. Yakima County is the leading agricultural County in the state of Washington, and the City of Yakima serves as the financial, medical and cultural center of Central Washington. The downtown area of Yakima is the historical, cultural, and commercial core of the city, and region. A large percentage of Yakima's most distressed residents live in neighborhoods immediately adjacent to the core area to the north, south and west. The future health and vitality of these residential areas depend heavily on the r r,ntirmed health of dnwntnwn and the private investment of dnwntnwn nrnnerty rtwnerc_ The dnwntnwn area provides job opportunities for low and moderate -income families. The City has identified economic development and downtown revitalization as priority issues, and has taken a number of steps to improve its capacity to carry out local economic development strategies. In addition to a more aggressive approach to securing state and federal dollars, the City has also diversified the use of its Community Development Block Grant entitlement funds, and developed new partnerships with the public and private sectors to maximize leveraging opportunities. The next step in the City's economic development and revitalization efforts is the retention of existing and creation of new industries for employment in and around the downtown. Improving telecommunications infrastructure is critical to these efforts. To adequately prepare the area for the influx of these types of industry, the City of Yakima proposes the Downtown Technology and Telecommunications Planning Project Pte'). The D'I'IP work plan would be primarily carried out by a professional consultant, and the scope of work may consist of the following components: • Analysis of existing telecommunications infrastructure. • Meet with community and business groups to discuss and form consensus on telecommunications and physical infrastructure needs and set priorities. • Assessment of telecommunications and physical infrastructure improvements needed for successful recruitment and retention of high technology and telecommunications based employers to the downtown area. • Coordinate with city community development and Information Systems staff to assemble and disseminate information regarding existing telecommunications infrastructure. • Development of a work plan to fund and construct needed improvements. Proponent's Capability: Briefly describe the proponent's capability to administer, implement, and market the project. Explain when the project can be implemented. The Yakima City Council has declared economic development a priority issue. The Department of Community and Economic Development, in cooperation with the Downtown Area Redevelopment Committee, has been working to expand the economic base of the downtown area. Successful projects in these efforts include: • The Gateway Project: A $19 million public-private development which involving multiple funding sources. The project improved access from Interstate 82 to Yakima Avenue and Fair Avenue, the City's busiest entry point. The project made possible the Gateway Plaza, a commercial development featuring Target, Food Pavilion, and several small businesses. • Yakima Convention Center Expansion: A $6 million project that has had a significant positive impact on the convention and tourism industry in Yakima. • Great Western Building Redevelopment Project: While still in the planning phase, this $8 million project will restore and renovate a historic landmark building in the center of downtown into a hotel and conference facility. The City has been awarded a $1 million grant and $4 million loan from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The DTTP proposes to begin in January 1999, and continue through December 31,1999. Problem: Briefly describe the severity of the problems that are adversely affecting economic development in the community and how the project will address the problems and complement the community's planning process. The downtown area of Yakima, and surrounding neighborhoods have deteriorated due to a lack of livable wage job opportunities available to area residents. The lack of employment opportunities has in turn affected the viability of the retail industry that is critical to the downtown. Downtown Yakima neighborhoods also contain the highest concentration of families on public assistance in the entire urban area, making easily accessible employment opportunities crucial to the success of the Welfare to Work Initiative. The proximity of the Boise Cascade Lumber Mill to the northeast and southeast neighborhoods has provided steady employment to area residents for many years. Boise Cascade recently announced the closure of a significant portion of the mill, eliminating nearly 300 jobs. A major employer in our downtown neighborhoods, this closure creates an economic crisis and a tremendous need to provide training and job opportunities to residents who live in the neighborhoods surrounding the mill. Other indicators of distress include: Poverty Rate in Central Business District: Poverty Rate in neighborhoods surrounding CBD: Percentage of extremely low-income households (< 50% median) in project area: Percentage of population with less than a 9th grate education: Percentage of population with 9th to 12th grade education w/o diploma: 44.6% 44.8% 24.0% 30.0% 24.4% Because of its small market size, telecommunications infrastructure in Yakima has not kept pace with other areas of the Pacific Northwest. As a result, the City is not able to competitively vie for the location telecommunications and high technology based industries. In a recent situation, two different companies engaged in telecommunications activity visited Yakima as a potential site for their expansion. Each prospect held the possibility of creating 300 jobs for area residents, paying between $9.00 and $12.00 per hour. It became apparent during these visits that the City and local development organizations lack access to important information regarding telecommunications infrastructure that these companies considered vital to their decision. Project Impact: Briefly describe the expected impacts from the project and how unemployed, underemployed and dislocated workers will benefit from the project. The project will impact the City of Yakima by improving opportunities for the development of new business and employment, and reducing barriers to the development of new business. Ideally, .the project will assist the City and private property owners to place many vacant buildings back into productive use for employment. The D 1"1'1' will help remove barriers to employment for area residents by improving opportunities for permanent employment opportunities in close proximity to neighborhoods, creating opportunities for many individuals without personal transportation, and increasing family income for working families. Cooperating with regional employment training providers (Private Industry Council, Employment Security, Yakirra Valley OIC, Yakima Valley Community College, Pen -y Technical Institute), the DTI'P can assist these institutions in developing training programs that compliment recruitment efforts for high technology and telecommunications based industries. Project Beneficiaries: Identify employers who will benefit from the project: Company Name & Products Jobs Saved New Jobs Private Sector Committed or Invesuiient Interest Only N/A Civil Rights Issues: If the proponent and/or employers identified above, have been the subject of any unresolved issues, or negative determinations issued within the past two years, arising from civil rights compliance reviews, complaints, lawsuits or other allegations of discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age, briefly describe the issue(s) and status thereof. N/A Budget: The City is requesting $75,000.00 from EDA, which would be matched with a local contribution of $20,000.00 from the City's Community Development Block Grant funds and local funds. Funds would be used as follows: EDA City Share Personnel $25,000.00 Professional Services $75,vvv.vv MEMORANDUM December 4, 1998 TO: Honorable Mayor John Puccinelli Members of City Council FR: Michael A. Morales Grants Writer RE: Amendment to Economic Development Administration Planning Grant Application Agenda Item No. 8 The Council Economic Development Committee has endorsed the grant application to the Economic Development Administration included in your regular information packet. The endorsement was made with the following amendments: 1. The scope of work be expanded to include the City of Yakima urban area, with particular attention to linkages with the Yakima Airport. 2. Yakima County Development Association (YCDA) be included as partner and share the local match contribution, thereby reducing the level of in-kind services provided by the City. If you have any questions regarding the proposal or amendments, please feel free to call me at 575- 3533.