HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2014-51/ Suggest/Admin' tioi
CITY OF KENAI
KENA� SKA
RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -51
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALANG
• KENAI BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the Kenai Business Cop4munity and residents to
have attractive welcoming business buildings; and,
WHEREAS, a limited public investment will promote prate investment in the City's
business core area; and,
WHEREAS, in 2013 the Kenai City Council req
Commission review the Soldotna Storefront Im
similar program was appropriate in the City of
WHEREAS, the Planning & Zoning Cc
Business Improvement Program; and,
that the Planning & Zoning
ent Program to determine if a
and,
held work sessions to discuss a Kenai
WHEREAS, on the 24th day of May, 201% the Planning & Zoning Commission passed
Resolution PZ -14 -09 recommending that the Kenai City Council adopt the Kenai
Business Improvement Program Guilines and Application.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOI/GED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI,
ALASKA, that: /
1. The 2014 Kenai
funding.
2. Should funding
the Kenai Busin
City Council as
PASSED BY THE
2014.
Modigh, City Clerk
Improvement Plan (Exhibit A) is approved subject to
Yinue for future years, the City Administration may modify
Improvement Plan as needs arise and report changes to the
i as reasonable practical.
OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this 10th day of July,
PAT PORTER, MAYOR
" "Vi'�laye with a Past, C# wilk a Future
-4 ti 210 Fidalgo Avenue, Kenai, Alaska 99611 -7794
Telephone: 907 - 283 -7535 / FAX: 907 - 283 -3014 I IIILi
1992
the u�yuf REVIEWED BY COUNCIL/ bYl
KENAASKA NOAcoIItI TAKEN I�IrCi[(!vlj
Date: I
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: Francis Krizmanich, City Planner
THROUGH: Rick Koch
�V DATE: June 18, 2014
SUBJECT: Kenai Business Improvement Program
In 2013, the City Council became interested in the Storefront Improvement
Program (SIP) that was created by the City of Soldotna. The program was created
to help revitalize businesses along their highway corridors by providing matching
grant funding for storefront improvements to commercial properties with street
frontage. The Kenai City Council requested that the Planning Commission review
the Soldotna program to possibly create a similar program for the City of Kenai.
The Planning Commission held work sessions in 2013, and also in February,
March and April this year. At their meeting on May 14, the Planning Commission
approved the Kenai Business Improvement Program (KBIP) by their Resolution
PZ14 -09, which is now being presented to City Council.
For this meeting I would like to present the new Kenai Business Improvement
Program (KBIP) Guidelines and Application as recommended by the Planning and
Zoning Commission.
• The program should be named the Kenai Business Improvement Program
(KBIP).
• The Program should be limited to properties located in the commercial zone
districts. These districts include the Townsite Historic, Central Commercial,
Limited Commercial, General Commercial and Central Mixed zones.
• Projects must front on an identified public street.
• The Planning Commission recommended that City Council appoint a
selection committee to decide which projects are eligible. The staff
recommends that Council appoint the Mini Grants Committee.
CITY OF KENAI
- PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. PZ14 -09
rFrAI f KENAI BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
BI e�esre
A RESOLUTION OF THE KENAI PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDING
APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE KENAI BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE
CITY OF KENAI TO THE KENAI CITY COUNCIL.
WHEREAS, in 2013 the City Council requested that the Planning and Zoning Commission
review the Soldotna Storefront Improvement Program to possibly create a similar
program for the City of Kenai;
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission held work sessions during 2013 to review
the Soldotna program;
WHEREAS, on February 26, 2014, the Kenai Planning and Zoning Commission continued
their review of the information pertaining to the City of Soldotna's Storefront
Improvement Program. The Commission agreed that a similar program would be
beneficial to the City of Kenai;
WHEREAS, on March 26, 2014, the Planning and Zoning Commission discussed changes
and additions to the program guidelines and application format and agreed to develop a
business improvement program to be known as the Kenai Business Improvement
Program (KBIP); and
WHEREAS, on April 9, 2014, the Kenai Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed and
approved the final draft of the Kenai Business Improvement Program guidelines and
recommends to the Kenai City Council approval of the Kenai Business Improvement
Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning and Zoning Commission
recommends that the Kenai City Council adopt the Kenai Business Improvement Program
guidelines and application attached hereto.
PASSED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA,
ON THE 14T" DAY OF MAY, 2014.
CHAIRPE
ATTEST:
Page 11
KBIP PROGRAM GUIDELINES - 2014
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Kenai Business Improvement Program (KBIP) is to revitalize Kenai s
commercial corridors by stimulating additional private investment in our local economy. By
partnering with local business owners and lessees to share the cost of beautifying the exterior
of a business, the program aims to boost traffic, increase property values, and improve the
overall look and vitality of our city's commercial core.
The program is being established to meet several goals:
- Promoting development of our "downtown area" to attract both visitors and residents;
- Encouraging redevelopment of key commercial areas, particularly businesses with street
fronts in the commercial zone districts. The commercial zone districts include Townsite Historic,
Central Commercial, Limited Commercial, General Commercial and the Central Mixed Use.
- Ensuring a healthy economy by supporting a diversity of local businesses; and
- Improving the streetscape along the Kenai Spur Highway.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The KBIP is a reimbursement grant, which can be used for exterior improvements to businesses
in the City of Kenai. The amount available for each property is 50% of the cost of eligible
improvements, up to a maximum of $5,000. Matching grants are paid upon completion of pre -
approved, applicant -paid work. Under no circumstance will grant funds be disbursed for work
completed before a Commitment Letter is provided. The amount of funding available for the
2014 program is $15,000; therefore, the City anticipates funding anywhere from three to five
projects. Funds are limited, and grants are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants interested in
participating in this year's program are encouraged to contact the City Planner, the program
administrator, as soon as possible to begin the process.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible work: Rehabilitation of building facades visible to the street, including: storefronts; signs
and graphics; windows; exterior lighting; canopies and awnings; painting and masonry work;
landscaping; and accessibility improvements.
Ineligible work: Funds may not be used for improvements that are not permanent, mounted to
the building, sidewalk, or parking lot. In addition, the following items are ineligible for funding:
roofs; structural foundations; security systems; interior window coverings; vinyl awnings;
personal property and equipment; sidewalks and paving (unless removing paving to install
permanent landscaping). In addition, funds may not be used for structures which are
non - conforming to current ordinances (for example a sign which exceeds the allowable height
or area), unless the funds are used to bring the structure into conformance.
Eligible participants include property owners and business lessees (with written authorization
of the property owner), located in the following zone districts: Townsite Historic, Central
Commercial, General Commercial, Limited Commercial and Central Mixed Use.
Please contact the Planning Department to determine if your property is eligible.
City of Kenai, 20 10 t i na Gusiu1 h rcv, a .'rogr e3ri April 10, 2014
Page 12
Ineligible participants:
- Properties primarily in residential use (ex. apartments or condominiums);
- Structures not facing or visible from the right -of -way;
- Government offices and agencies (non - governmental tenants are eligible);
- New construction, less than 5 years old.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION
The first step is to submit an application form to the Planning Department. The form requires a
short project description and rough cost estimate of the work you plan to do. The City will
select projects that will provide the greatest public benefit to the community, as determined by
a selection committee. The City of Kenai reserves the right to prioritize projects and reject
applications.
To select and prioritize projects, the selection committee may consider any of the following
factors:
- Creative value of the project;
- Current condition of the building/fa4ade;
- Code compliance issues;
- Feasibility of implementing applicant's goals within the specified budget and timeframe;
- Visibility of the proposed improvements.
The program administrator will notify you whether your project was selected for funding. If
selected, you will solicit contractor bids, and sign a 'Letter of Commitment/ as noted below.
BIDDING
The City of Kenai requires that you get one bid for each type of work you are doing. All
contractors must be licensed by the State of Alaska, and all construction contracts will be
between the applicant and contractor. Owner labor will not be reimbursed under the
program.
LETTER OF COMMITMENT
The next step is to submit all contractor bids to the City for final review. The contractor bids
will be considered by the City in determining the final funding amount for the project. The City
will then draft up a 'Commitment Letter/ which will outline additional terms and conditions of
the matching grant, and will serve as the legal commitment of both parties as to the scope and
quality of work, and the amount of funds committed. The Commitment letter will also set a
deadline for the project to be completed by, as agreed to by the applicant and City.
BUILD IT
After the Commitment Letter is signed by the City and applicant, proceed with construction of
your project. Please retain all invoices and material receipts during the project, as you will
need these later when you request reimbursement. Please also remember that only those
improvements outlined in the Commitment Letter are eligible for reimbursement, so it will be
_rt; oe Reny. '014Yrrai I.. 7�1 i oraE;ar April 10, 2014
Page 13
your responsibility to keep sufficient records, if needed, to separate out work which you may
have completed at the same time, but which was not connected to the grant.
REIMBURSEMENT OF FUNDS
Prior to reimbursement of funds, City staff will review all completed work for compliance with
the Commitment Letter. The City will verify receipts and invoices, and will issue a
reimbursement check to the owner for the amount indicated in the agreement, or 50% of the
actual project cost (if less than the amount indicated in the agreement).
The City of Kenai has the authority to determine eligibility of proposed work and confirmation
of completed work. Certain work may be required or precluded as a condition of funding.
Participants will be responsible for obtaining necessary regulatory approvals, including those
of the Planning and Zoning or Building Departments when applicable. All work must comply
with city, state, and federal regulations.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
The following general conditions apply to all projects:
- Improvements funded by the grant shall be maintained in good order for a period of at
least five (5) years; graffiti and vandalism will be dutifully repaired by the applicant during
this time period.
- Borough property and sales tax must be current, and participants shall have no debts in
arrears to the City when the Commitment Letter is issued.
- Eligible properties qualify for a maximum of $5,000. You may apply more than once as long
as the building doesn't exceed the maximum grant amount in a 5 -year period. If a property
is sold and the new owner wishes to apply for the grant, the five -year time frame still
applies. The five -year time frame begins at the date the improvements are completed.
The applicant must complete, sign and submit a W -9 in order for disbursement of funds.
TAX INFORMATION
You are urged to consult your tax advisor concerning the taxability of grants. The City of
Ken a i is not responsible for any taxes that may be imposed as a result of your receipt of this
grant payment (directly or indirectly). Grants may be reported on IRS Form 1099. The City
requires that you complete and return a Form W -9 (Request for Taxpayer ID Number and
Certification) prior to being reimbursed.
For more information, please contact:
The City Planner at (907) 283 -8235
The City of Kenai reserves the right to make minor exceptions to the program guidelines.
Application forms are available at the City Hall or at
http://www.ci.Kenai.ak.us/storefront,html.
__,ty ct Ken,:, ?014 Kong i Prcp'lni April 10, 2014
Applicant Information
Applicant Name:
Mailing Address:
KENAI BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
2014 APPLICATION
Please return completed application to the Planning Department
Property Owner Name:
Mailing Address:
Phone Number: Phone Number
Email: Email:
Name of business to be improved:
Address of property to be improved:
City of Kenai
210 Fidalgo Ave.
Ke n a i, AK 99611
907.283.8235
www.ci.kenai.ak.us
Business Improvements
Describe the improvements you plan to make to your business, and why you are seeking City funds for the project:
Are you planning additional improvements to the property, which you will not seek reimbursement for through this
grant? If so, please describe the total scope of work.
Estimated cost of the business
improvements:
Estimated cost of other work (if applicable):
Projected start date:
4/10/2014
Estimated completion date:
Total $
Checklist. Please attach the following:
• Photos of your building, clearly showing all areas that will be improved.
• An illustration of the work you would like to do. Any of the following are acceptable:
• A hand drawn sketch of the front of your building (does not have to be to scale)
• A printed -out digital picture with written notes
• A photo with notes attached
• An architect's rendering
• Any other attachments you feel would help describe your project goals.
Certification by Applicant. I certify:
1. All information in this application, and all information furnished in support of this application, is given for the
purpose of obtaining up to a 50% reimbursement grant for improvements to the exterior of a business and is true
and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.
2. The business and property owner(s) are current with all City obligations, including taxes, licenses, water revenue
billings, etc.
3. 1 have read and will comply with the requirements outlined in the Business Improvement Program Guidelines.
4. 1 understand that the City of Kenai must approve the proposed exterior improvements in order to be eligible for
grant reimbursement funding. Certain changes or modifications maybe required prior to final approval. A
Commitment of Funds Letter will not be processed prior to the City's receipt and approval of necessary bids for
the approved work. Any work commenced prior to a Commitment Letter being issued will not be eligible for
reimbursement, and any work deviating from the approved work must be pre - approved by the City in orderfor
the work to be eligible for reimbursement.
Applicant Signature Print Name
Property Owner Signature Print Name
(if other than Applicant)
Please return your completed application to the Planning Department
City of Kenai
Planning Department
Phone: 907- 283-8235
Email: fkrizmanich @ ci.kenai.ak.us
4/10/2014
Date
Date