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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 05_Strong Neighborhoods Initiative_2013.03.050 The CitM# - V y Wit out Limits. TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council City Of Owasso FROM: Teresa Willson Information Technology Director SUBJECT: Strong Neighborhood Initiative - Hotel Tax Designation Resolution 2013-05 DATE: March 1, 2013 APPROVED BY COUNCIL MAR 0 a [U13 BACKGROUND: In 2008, the Owasso City Council made a bold decision to take a proactive approach to protecting the substantial investments being made in the community by commercial developers and new residents. This decision established funding for the Owasso Strong Neighborhood Initiative from a two percent (2%) increase in the Hotel tax rate. The initiative was established as a means for the City to effectively work with residents in an effort to keep Owasso neighborhoods as safe and attractive in 20 years as they were at the time the initiative was established. The Council placed an August 2013 deadline for consideration to continue the program to ensure objectives were successfully being met. In August, 2008, voters approved an increase in the rate of the Hotel Tax from three percent (3%) to five percent (5%) creating a funding source for the Strong Neighborhood Initiative. The proposition passed by sixty-two percent (62%) of the total vote. Since August, 2008, the Strong Neighborhood Initiative has had a proven positive impact in the community by bringing together nearly 6000 households in an effort to protect the most substantial investment most residents will make in their lifetime, their home. The response to the program has far exceeded staff expectations and has fulfilled needs not anticipated when the initiative was originally established. Residents have embraced the opportunity to partner with the City to protect their investments and in turn the substantial investment brought to Owasso through strong commercial development. Today the City has five operating hotels, with an additional hotel currently in development, providing a sustainable funding source to continue to grow the initiative, thus increasing the impact in the community. FUNDING: Council approval of Resolution 2008-05 established funding for the Strong Neighborhood initiative through the revenue produced from two percent (2%) of the Hotel Tax. Approval of Resolution 2013-05 would continue that same funding from the Hotel Tax. STRONG NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE: Owasso has experienced phenomenal growth in the past few decades, meaning most neighborhoods are less than 20 years old. However, the City recognized over time, aging neighborhoods could impact the overall attractiveness and safety of the community if not properly maintained. Unlike many cities that allowed neighborhoods to decline, the Owasso City Council had the vision to pursue a proactive approach by establishing the Strong Neighborhood Initiative to address issues that neighborhoods face today impacting appearance and safety, thus keeping them strong and vibrant for years to come. The initiative has provided a means for residents to partner with the City to explore ways of keeping neighborhoods clean, safe and attractive through programs created as a result of the initiative. Strong neighborhoods are the key to the continued momentum of investment by the business community and steady increase in property values for residents. Since the initiative was originally established, it has successfully provided opportunities to • Award small neighborhood grants, totaling $6,798, resulting in over $22,000 impact when combined with neighborhood matches. • Coordinate 488 volunteers through semi-annual Owasso CARES events aimed at beautifying neighborhoods. This effort has resulted in the initiative receiving the 2012 Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Environmental Excellence award. • Assist community policing efforts of the Owasso Police Department by bringing the Alert Neighborhood program to 14 neighborhoods. • Provide an identity for older neighborhoods with the Sign Topper program, resulting in increased community pride and spirit. • Bring neighborhood leaders together with the Neighborhood Leadership Conferences to provide opportunities for residents to cross neighborhood boundaries and contribute to the overall success of Owasso by addressing issues affecting safety and property values. • Provide a point of contact for residents at the City. Residents have a single point of contact now to address any need they have with the City. This removes the guesswork on who to contact for assistance. • Tap into an unintended benefit of the initiative, the coordination of volunteer opportunities with the City, enabling staff to do more with fewer resources. Through the initiative, residents have committed to the idea that neighborhood issues impact the entire community, regardless of where one resides, and that by joining forces with the City, they can participate in a proactive approach to ensuring Owasso remains as safe and attractive in the future as it is today. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Resolution 2013-05 to continue the designation of funds to the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative, and to continue the initiative as an economic development and cultural enhancement program to receive funding derived from the revenue generated from 2% of the hotel tax rate. ATTACHMENT: Resolution 2013-05 CITY OF OWASSO, OKLAHOMA RESOLUTION 2013-05 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF OWASSO, OKLAHOMA, DESIGNATING THE STRONG NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE AS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM AND REAUTHORIZING THE USE OF REVENUE GENERATED BY THE HOTEL TAX FOR PROGRAMS WHICH SUPPORT THE STRONG NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE. WHEREAS, Funds from the Hotel Tax are set aside and used exclusively to encourage, promote and foster economic development and cultural enhancement and tourism, and to pursue regional promotion for the City of Owasso; and, WHEREAS, Strong neighborhoods are foundational to a community's long-term growth and economic vitality; and, WHEREAS, The "Strong Neighborhoods Initiative" is a program designed to build alliances with community neighborhoods, home owner associations and property owners in an effort to promote neighborhood sustainability, encourage active neighborhood participation and to promote collaboration among residents who share the common goal of improving the quality of life throughout the City of Owasso; and, WHEREAS, It is imperative to the future of our community and its economic health that residents be empowered and encouraged to become active in programs and activities intended to increase awareness, health, safety, quality of life, and beautification of Owasso neighborhoods. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OWASSO, OKLAHOMA, THAT: Two percent (2%) of the five percent (5%) Hotel Tax revenue shall be designated for the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative which supports economic development and cultural enhancement for the City of Owasso. A report shall be given annually by the Strong Neighborhoods Coordinator, or his or her designee as may be necessary, to the City Council to ensure the City Council remains informed of developments pertaining to the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative as well as progress toward accomplishment of the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative's goals as set forth above in this Resolution. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: This Resolution supersedes Resolution 2008-05 previously approved by the City Council on July 5, 2008, in all provisions, terms and requirements. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of March, 2013, by the City council of the City of Owasso, Oklahoma. Bonebrake, Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: 4azj / 0fd r ulie Lombardi, City Attorney