ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Community Development Director with a Request for the Following:
A. APPROVE the use of SOUTH VILLAGE TAX INCREMENT FINANCE DISTRICT funds for the continued development of the GARDEN OF HOPE URBAN FARM at St. Ann’s and surrounding parcels, within the South Village TIF area, in the amount of $20,000.00 (Council District 1), and
B. ADOPT an ORDINANCE Amending the City of Peoria 2019 REVISED BUDGET Relating to the Use of the SOUTH VILLAGE TIF FUND BALANCE, in the Amount of $20,000.00, to Provide Funding for the GARDEN OF HOPE URBAN FARM.
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BACKGROUND: The community garden at St. Ann’s was started in 2016 by St Ann’s congregation members. OSF St. Francis Medical Center became involved through their Faith Community Nursing Program and hired a garden manager in 2018. To date, the current planting area has been planted and managed by volunteers from St. Ann’s and the OSF Garden Manager. The property owned by St. Ann’s contains approximately .9 acres of land, with an additional approximately .55 acres of City-owned land available for this year and in future years; resulting in a 1 ½ acre urban farm on Peoria’s Southside.
The overall project is partnership among:
v St. Ann’s Congregation
v SVDP Society
v OSF
v City of Peoria
v U of I Extension
v Peoria Park District
v Peoria City/County Health Department
v Senator Weaver’s 1000 Pound Project
v Peoria Public Schools
v ICC
v Community Members
v Church Leaders
.
TIF Funds are being requested for urban farm site preparation, raised garden bed construction, and associated structures. The overall anticipated investment in the garden for 2019, including OSF staff time, is approximately $100,000. The City’s portion of the investment would include a total of $30,000; $20,000 in TIF funds and $10,000 in local funds.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: $20,000 of South Village TIF funds will be dedicated to urban farm development
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Some residents have expressed concern with the potential of increased rodents from the development of the garden. This has not been an issue in the garden for the past 3 years; however, the garden manager is aware of the concern and this will be addressed if it were to become an issue.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: If approved, $20,000 of South Village Growth Cell TIF funds would be allocated to further development of the Garden of Hope Urban Farm.
IMPACT IF DENIED: If denied, TIF funds would not be used for Garden of Hope development.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Beautiful Peoria
2. Grow Peoria
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Support sustainability.
2. Grow employers and jobs.
3. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
DEPARTMENT: Community Development