Submitted By: Marie Mesadieu
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Presentation By: Roberto Ellis
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve an East Ocala CRA Commercial Building Improvement grant for property located at 500 NE 8th Avenue, in an amount not to exceed $2,280.00 (Case: CRA24-45797)
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Economic Hub, Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
NA
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BACKGROUND: The intent of the East Ocala subarea Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Commercial Building Improvement Grant is to encourage business owners to make improvements to the building exterior facades, and sites. Resurfacing of parking lots is listed as priority and eligible work for reimbursement. In 2023, the maximum annual grant was increased to $20,000.00, and the CRA grant match was increased to 60 percent of the project cost. Below is a summary of the application.
Grant Application ID: CRA24-45797
Applicant: Charles Ruse Jr.
Address: 500 NE 8th Avenue
Project Description: Repairing and restriping parking lot to its original layout
Low quote: $3,800.00
Recommended grant amount: Not to exceed $2,280.00
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: The application was reviewed and processed in accordance with the grant program guidelines and evaluation criteria.
• This application was previously tabled from the September 28, 2024, Advisory Committee Meeting due to lack of a quorum. Staff presented the application at the following meeting held on October 21, 2024.
• The East Ocala Grant Review Committee (GRC) visited the site on August 6, 2024, and recommended approval of the request.
• The East Ocala CRA Advisory Committee met on October 21, 2024, and recommended approval of the grant.
• A member of the committee had a conflict of interest for this application and abstained from voting. The signed conflict of interest form is attached.
• This grant covers up to 60 percent of the actual project costs.
Staff recommends approval of the grant, in an amount not to exceed $2,280.00.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is adequate funding for the grants being considered at this meeting. The East Ocala CRA Grant Account - 620-016-559-559-55-82010, has a balance of $549,631.50. The CRA is expected to make payments totaling $102,838.31 for approved projects scheduled to be completed in Fiscal Year 2024-25.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW: N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: N/A
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with changes
• Table
• Deny