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County Administrator's Report 13. 12.

BCC Regular Meeting

Technical/Public Service Consent

Meeting Date:	02/18/2016
Issue: Pensacola Promise Zone Application
From:	Tonya Gant
Department:	Neighborhood & Human Svcs
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning the Pensacola Promise Zone Application - Tonya Gant, Neighborhood & Human Services Department Director

That the Board take the following action concerning the Pensacola Promise Zone Application for the purpose of implementing a Premier Zone initiative for comprehensive revitalization efforts in a designated area of Pensacola, Florida:

A. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Pensacola, Escambia County, University of West Florida, Pensacola State College, United Way of Escambia County, and the School Board of Escambia County, and authorize the Chairman or Vice Chairman to sign the MOU; and

B. Approve a Letter of Support for the Pensacola Promise Zone Application and authorize the County Administrator to sign the letter.

BACKGROUND:

A presentation was made to the Board at the January 7, 2016 Committee of the Whole regarding the desire to submit an application to HUD for a Promise Zone designation. The Promise Zone Initiative is designed to foster a collaborative partnership among public and private entities to help revitalize high poverty communities. This highly competitive application is due to HUD February 23, 2016 and requires execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (Exhibit I) among all the participating entities and a letter of support (Exhibit II).

If the Pensacola Promise Zone is designated, the community will receive: five AmeriCorps VISTA members, a federal liaison assigned to assist the community with navigating federal programs, preferences for certain competitive federal programs and technical assistance from participating agencies, and Promise Zone tax incentives, if enacted by Congress. No grant funding is associated with this designation. The City of Pensacola is the lead applicant for this initiative.

The Pensacola Promise Zone (PPZ) area was drawn to meet eligibility requirements designed by HUD to include poverty rates and population. A map of the PPZ is included as Exhibit III. The PPZ application contains the following six goals: (1) Improve Educational Opportunities; (2) Create jobs/Strengthen workforce; (3) Increase Economic Activity; (4) Reduce Violent Crime; (5) Promote Healthcare and Access to Healthcare; and (6) Increase Access to Quality Affordable Housing.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

No budgetary impact at this time. If the Promise Zone designation is awarded, a formal Agreement will be drafted that will outline interagency responsibilities and commit the use of the $20,000 requested from the Board at the January 7, 2016 Committee of the Whole meeting.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

The Memorandum of Understanding has been reviewed and approved by Kristin Hual, Assistant County Attorney.

PERSONNEL:

Not applicable at this time.

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

The Board must approve MOU's and other documents for grant applications.

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

Staff from the Neighborhood Enterprise Division and GIS Division will provide support during the Promise Zone application process. Neighborhood & Human Services Department staff will assist with implementation as directed by the Board if the Promise Zone designation is awarded.

Attachments
Ex I-MOU
Ex II-PPZ Commitment Letter
Ex III-Promise Zone Area Map