Title
Incorporated County Of Los Alamos Resolution No. 17-06; A Resolution Of Support And Funding Commitment By Los Alamos County Of The Local MainStreet Project, As Partner With Los Alamos MainStreet, LLC, A Program Of The Los Alamos Commerce And Development Corporation (LACDC) To Partner In A Community Economic Development Downtown Revitalization Program And Approval Of The Application Of LACDC For A Capital Outlay Grant.
Recommended Action
I move that Council adopt Incorporated County Of Los Alamos Resolution No. 17-06; A Resolution Of Support And Funding Commitment By Los Alamos County Of The Local MainStreet Project, As Partner With Los Alamos MainStreet, LLC, A Program Of The Los Alamos Commerce And Development Corporation (LACDC) To Partner In A Community Economic Development Downtown Revitalization Program And Approval Of The Application Of LACDC For A Capital Outlay Grant.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council adopt Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution No. 17-06.
Body
Adoption of the attached Resolution No. 17-06 approves the Biennial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Los Alamos MainStreet, LLC, a State-Certified and Nationally Accredited MainStreet Affiliate, in accordance with the State of New Mexico Economic Development Department's (NMEDD) Main Street Program, as well as the National Trust MainStreet Center requirements. This Resolution also authorizes LACDC staff to apply for associated Capital Outlay Grants. A copy of Resolution No. 17-06, as well as the required public notice is attached for reference (Attachments A and B, respectively).
Between 2007 and 2012, Los Alamos MainStreet and Los Alamos County pursued capital outlay grants without an MOU. In March 2012, NMEDD’s Main Street Program initiated the first Biennial MOU. To date, Los Alamos MainStreet program has contributed over $515,730 in capital outlay funds for streetscape and redevelopment, including:
- 2007: $200,000 streetscape project, including Central Avenue bump outs, flower pots and pedestrian lamp posts.
- 2008: $80,730 plaza redevelopment of the easement section of Canyon Rim Trail across Los Alamos Plaza for public access.
- 2009: $80,000 streetscape improvements on Knecht from Central Avenue to Trinity Drive, including flower pots, pedestrian lighting, and new banners.
- 2010: $35,000 granted for Cultural Plan for Los Alamos Creative District
- 2011-2013: no Capital Improvement funds from the State (following economic recession)
- 2014: $70,000 for streetscape improvement to Central Avenue between 15th and 20th streets with mid-century design elements, including benches, light poles, bike racks and trash receptacles to create a cohesive look downtown, consistent with the Manhattan Project era.
- 2016: $50,000 for streetscape improvement to Central Avenue between 9th and 15th streets with mid-century design elements, including benches, light poles, bike racks and trash receptacles to create a cohesive look downtown, consistent with the Manhattan Project era.
The FY2017-FY2019 MOU seeks to renew the County's partnership with Los Alamos MainStreet from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019, establishing the partnership with the Los Alamos MainStreet Program and the NMEDD to pursue and manage capital outlay or other state and federal funds dedicated to revitalization, in coordination with matching public and private funds, for qualifying projects in the Los Alamos Main Street District. A copy of the MOU is attached for reference (Attachment C).
The FY2017-FY2019 MOU aligns with New Mexico’s Economic Development Department’s (NMEDD) goals to increase the number of jobs and businesses, sustain and expand existing businesses, mitigate commercial leakage, support local entrepreneurs in start-ups, and improve property values within traditional and historic commercial districts. To that end, it has dedicated resources, professional assistance and services to partnering municipalities and a local non-profit organization representing stakeholders within the designated commercial district through the New Mexico MainStreet program. The partners of this MOU agree to dedicate collaborative resources, adopt local governing body economic growth and revitalization tools, and establish economic development funding for operations and program implementation to restore economic vitality within the MainStreet economic redevelopment district.
Los Alamos County is working with the Los Alamos MainStreet, LLC through the MainStreet Futures group to establish economic transformation strategies that define geographic areas and funding sources for economic vitality projects that meet both the County’s and the State’s goals.
The State of New Mexico has not appropriated funds for the capital outlay program at his time. However, this Biennial MOU will authorize Los Alamos County to pursue matching grant opportunities should they be funded in the future, applying budgeted project funds toward the match. Future projects for FY17 may include an additional extension of streetscape improvements on Central and Deacon Street, as well as a wayfinding project to provide physical definition to the Downtown, MainStreet and Los Alamos Creative Districts.
Alternatives
Council could reject Resolution No.17-06, thereby foregoing eligibility to pursue funding for capital projects through the New Mexico Economic Development Department or future grant funding opportunities.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Unplanned Item
Minimal staff time will be required to manage MainStreet grants that may be received. The required minimum County contributions toward the program are already included in the existing MainStreet services agreement AGR16-907.
Attachments
A - Public Notice of Resolution No. 17-06
B - Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution 17-06
C - Biennial Memorandum of Understanding FY2017-2019