04-04-2011 Meeting of the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors minutes

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REQUEST FOR LA PORTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AGENDA ITEM Appropriation Agenda Date Requested: 6/6/11 Source of Funds: Requested By: Stacey Osborne Account Number: 15- 9892 - 993 -1100 Department: CMO Amount Budgeted: $200,000 Report: X Resolution: Ordinance: Amount Requested: $6,179.41 Exhibits: Award Breakdown Budgeted Item: YES NO Exhibits: "Before" photographs Exhibits: "After" photographs SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION In the 2008 -09 budget year, the La Porte Economic Development Corporation agreed to fund an enhancement grant program for the Main Street Overlay District. The program offered matching grants of up to $25,000 for businesses in the Main Street Overlay District to improve building facades. The project was allotted $200,000. The goals of the project were to beautify Main Street, to enhance Main Street's appeal to new businesses and visitors, and to add value to the City of La Porte. Sandy Baldwin, owner of A Statement in Glass, submitted a grant proposal several months ago. Staff formed an Enhancement Grant Application Committee consisting of the Planning Director, Economic Development Coordinator, City Inspector, and two business owners and/or citizens not located in the Main Street Overlay District (Cris Santiago and Dr. Monica Rogers). Because there was no formal evaluation system in place, staff created an Application Evaluation document that was used to evaluate Ms. Baldwin's grant application. Upon review, the committee approved the application unanimously. Tonight staff is asking the EDC to consider awarding $6,179.41 to Ms. Baldwin. Ms. Baldwin did submit her grant application on October 29, 2010, prior to starting the work on her building, and after consulting with Economic Development Coordinator Stacey Osborne about color scheme and design. Staff did not have a committee in place when she submitted the application, and it took us about a month to form the committee and to meet to discuss the project. Ms. Baldwin completed the work in the meantime, and submitted her receipts in the hopes that her project would be approved. Attached are an Award Breakdown of Ms. Baldwin's application that lists each item requested and the committee's recommendation for each item and "after" photographs of Ms. Baldwin's business. Action Required by Economic Development Corporation: Consider awarding a grant of $6,179.41 to Ms. Baldwin and A Statement in Glass. Approved for La Porte Development Corporation Agenda