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Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation (WNDC)THE CITY OF DUBUQUE Masterpiece on the Mississippi Dubuque All-American City 2007 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation DATE: April 29, 2009 With the publishing of the Strategic Plan report for the Washington Neighborhood and its presentation to the City Council at a work session on April 20, the City is moving ahead with the goal of establishing a Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation (WNDC). The mission of the WNDC will be to implement the recommendations of the Strategic Plan, through recruitment and involvement of neighborhood residents and stakeholders in activities designed to promote sustainable neighborhood development. A first year operating budget has been estimated at $82,735, to include afull-time Executive Director. Additional start-up costs totaling $11,950 bring the first-year budget to $94,685. Housing and Community Development Department Director David Harris recommends City Council authority to reallocate $100,000 from the Homeownership Grants CIP to fund the activities of the Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval Michael C. Van Milligen MCVM/jh Attachment cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department Director THE CITY OF DUBUQUE Masterpiece on the Mississippi Dubuque All-American City 2007 TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager FROM: David Harris, Housing & Community Development Department SUBJECT: Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation DATE: 27 April 09 Introduction The purpose of this memorandum is to request reallocation of funds to support first year operations of a neighborhood development. corporation, to further Washington Neighborhood revitalization efforts. Discussion With the publishing of the Strategic Plan report for the Washington Neighborhood and its presentation to the City Council at a work session on 20 April, we are moving ahead with the goal of establishing a Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation. The mission of the WNDC will be to implement the recommendations of the Strategic Plan, through recruitment and involvement of neighborhood residents and stakeholders in activities designed to promote sustainable neighborhood development. A first year operating budget has been estimated at $82 735, to include afull-time executive director. Additional start-up costs totaling $11 950 bring the first-year budget to $94 685. A copy of the budget is attached. There is a current balance of $413 000 in the Homeownership Grants -Targeted Neighborhoods fund (CIP #1001595.) This activity provides home purchase and rehab grants to non-income eligible households, to acquire and improve houses in the Washington Neighborhood. The large balance reflects our inability to-date to effectively attract more moderate-income buyers to the neighborhood. It is proposed that $100 000 be reallocated from this activity to fund first-year operations of the WNDC. A priority goal for the new corporation will be to identify federal, state and foundation sources of funds to continue operations in subsequent years. One of these potential funding sources includes proceeds from sale of New Market Tax Credits - should Dubuque Initiatives be awarded an allocation. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds could also be used, although this would necessitate reallocation of currently funded public service activities. We are also pursuing a relationship with the Neighborhood Development Corporation/NeighborWorks network, although it appears at this time that only staff and board training assistance will be made available to us. Action Step The action requested of the City Council is to reallocate $100 000 from the Homeownership Grants. CP # 1001595 to fund the activities of the Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation. cc: Jennifer Larson, Budget Director Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation (WNDC) Proposed Annual Operating Budget Rent (1000 square foot office) $ 7 200 Heat 1 200 Electricity 600 Water/sewer/trash 400 Custodial/snow removal (in-house) N/C Telephone/internet service 600 Fax line 450 Copy machine lease/contract 1 095 Staff: Executive Director (Grade 34 equivalent) 50 000 FICA 3 600 Health Insurance ($600/month) 7 200 Worker Comp Insurance 640 Business liability insurance 250 Property loss insurance 200 Directors and Officers insurance 1 200 Advertising 600 Printing 1 500 Postage 600 Office supplies 400 Accounting/payroll 500 Audit 1 000 Legal (pro Bono) N/C Training 3 500 Total $ 82 735 Non-recurrina costs Consulting: Board training/business plan/fund raising plan (Teska Associates) $ 7 800 Tax exempt filing/incorporation 750 Phone system (2 phones) 100 Computers (2)/printer/router 3 300 Office furnishings (used from City) N/C Total $ 11 950 Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation (WNDC) Mission: - Implementation of the Washington Strategic Plan Strategy: - Involve residents and stakeholders in revitalization of Neighborhood - Promote sustainable neighborhood through resident initiative and ownership Goal: -Neighborhood self-governance Mechanism: - Non-profit corporation - Governed by community stakeholder board of directors - Storefront operation - Executive Director; professional staff - $90 000 initial annual operating budget Potential funding sources: -Durable Initiatives - New Market Tax Credits - Neighborhood Development Corporation/NeighborWorks partnership - Direct City allocation - Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque - Federal and state grants; foundations