05-09-11 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council

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REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Agenda Date Requested: May 9, 2011 Budget Requested By: Tim Tietjens Source of Funds: N/A Department: Planning Account Number: N/A Report: X Resolution: Ordinance: X Amount Budgeted: N/A Amount Requested: N/A Exhibits: Letter of Request Budgeted Item: YES NO Exhibits: Ordinance Exhibits: Deed Exhibits: Area Map SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION Over the past several years, the City of La Porte has'assisted the La Porte Chapter of Bay A Humanity by donating numerous tax foreclosure properties or other properties owned by the purpose of providing families meeting specific income requirements the opportunity to fulfi of home ownership. The Bay Area Habitat for Humanity has requested the City provide foul building sites to facilitate construction of four homes over the next program year in the nortl Porte. The City currently owns eight platted lots (four buildable sites) on N. 7` Street just north of lialima Street that were originally intended for the North Side Neighborhood Program funded in part County. However, the economic downturn and mortgage crisis caused a lack of qualified bu) participation in the program was temporarily suspended. Because the lots are idle, it was sug, Bay Area Habitat utilize two of the four buildable sites at this time, with a possibility of two more pater in the year. For visual consistency, the Bay Area Habitat has agreed to use a brick facade in keeping with the North Side Neighborhood Program homes. As the fee title owner of the lots, the donation would require no additional cost to the City. Home ownership is the single most effective way for many families to build personal wealth. The Habitat for Humanity program utilizes sweat equity of the recipient families and volunteer labor in construction to achieve affordability and long term success of the recipients. Action Required by Council: • Approve o •' ce authorizing the Mayor to execute a Special Warranty Deed for Lots 17 -18 and Lots 19 -20, t ock 1'1, Town of La Porte to the Bay Area Habitat for Humanity. 1 t rove • 8 Cit . u . Agenda on 5� i� Bottoms, City Manager Date