TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, City Manager
TITLE: Proposal to use Code Enforcement fines for North Port Beautification and Tree/Scenic Highway Committee US 41 Revitalization Program
Recommended Action
Approval to use Code Enforcement fines for North Port Beautification and Tree/Scenic Highway Committee US 41 Revitalization Program
Background Information
The North Port Beautification and Tree/Scenic Highway Committee met on June 7, 2018 and discussed the creation of a grant program to aid businesses along US Highway 41. The grant would be purposed to revitalize landscaping and to upgrade compliance to current ULDC code requirements. The program’s intent would be to incentivize businesses to improve landscaping to current code and to create an attractive streetscape along 41. The applicant for a grant would agree to install and maintain adequate irrigation to sustain the health of the plantings and maintain and replace plants as needed.
Funds would be used by applicants to install perimeter buffering consistent with today’s code requirements, to create landscaped frontages on 41 and add landscaping to meet the 35 percent tree canopy coverage.
The initial legal request was generated from a June 7th, 2018 North Port Beautification and Tree/ Scenic Highway Committee presentation to Commission. As discussion ensued, the use of tree fund monies was brought up. Vice Mayor Yates suggested that monies collected from Code Enforcement violations could potentially be utilized as a funding source. Commission directed staff to come back with a structure for a fund from Code Enforcement fines to be used for the revitalization program. The CAO interpretation was to add clarification to what monies could be legally utilized for use on private properties.
Funding would be determined annually by Commission with a suggested annual budget of $20,000, with a maximum of $5,000 available to each applicant. The applicant to obtain three quotes for City approval.
Strategic Plan
Support the beautification and revitalization of our neighborhoods
Financial Impact
The City would need to budget $20,000 annually for the grant program for the North Port Beautification and Tree/Scenic Highway Committee US 41 Revitalization Program. Funding would be limited by the amount actually received from Code Enforcement fines. Code Enforcement revenue available for other operating purposes will be reduced by $20,000 per year.
Procurement
N/A
Attachments:
1. Item#26 Proposal to use Code Enforcement fines for Beautification
2. Use of Code Fines and Tree Fund Memo to CM
3. City of North Port’s Beautification Program
Prepared by: Katrina Romano, Administrative Manager, Neighborhood Development Services
Ryan Pieper, City Arborist and Staff Liaison to the Tree/Scenic Highway and Beautification Committee
Department Director: Frank Miles, MPA, Director, Neighborhood Development Services