R2021-92 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager and Economic and Community Development Director to Negotiate Terms and Execute an Agreement for Cleanup and Debris Removal Activities in Johns Hilll with Shemilah Outreach Center

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Community Development DATE: 5/17/2021 MEMO: No. 21-18 TO: Honorable Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe and City Council Members FROM: Scot Wrighton, City Manager Cordaryl"Pat"Patrick,Director of Community Development Richelle Dunbar,Neighborhood Services Manager SUBJECT: Resolution with Shemilah Outreach Center for debris and clean-up activities in Johns Hill(Clean-Up Green-Up Initiative) SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends Mayor and Council authorize the City Manager and Economic and Development Director negotiate terms and execute an agreement with Shemilah Outreach Center for debris and cleanup activities in Johns Hill in an amount not to exceed $100,000. BACKGROUND: The Howard G. Buffett Foundation continues to provide generous financial support to the City of Decatur for projects aligned with the goals,strategies,mission and vision of the Foundation and the City of Decatur. The Foundation's financial support to the city is targeted in two principal areas: 1)neighborhood revitalization,and 2)enhancing local law enforcement. In the area of community revitalization,the Foundation has provided$320,000 for site and clean-up related costs in the Johns Hill neighborhood,which is bounded by the following streets: East Wood Street, South Jasper,East Cantrell,and South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The Clean-Up, Green-Up is a community initiative designed to empower our residents and youth by providing the resources, tools, and guidance to remove litter, debris, overgrown shrubs,trees, electronics, small structures (e.g. derelict storage unit), and grass-cutting to enhance our communities, create a sense of place and identity, and grow our green spaces. Green spaces are fundamental to thriving communities and research suggests that green spaces reduce stress, bring people together, and improve the overall health of the community by improving the air quality and thus reducing the symptoms of asthma and COPD. This initiative is an opportunity to come together as a community and engage our youth with productive activities that will not only help the appearance of our community but provide a positive outlet for youth to learn workforce development skills, budgeting, how to earn an income and take pride in their community. The program will pilot in Johns Hill and will focus on residential and city-owned lots. Each residence will be offered a one-time yard clean-up at no cost. Partners: Shemilah Outreach Center: The Shemilah Outreach Center is a nonprofit community organization whose mission is to empower and educate City of Decatur youth by creating positive and healthy alternatives to inappropriate behaviors. Their Work Incentive Program promotes personal skill development by providing youth participants an opportunity to earn a stipend while giving back to their community through beautification and restorative means. The Shemilah Outreach Center will be responsible for providing removal of trash,debris,weeds,shrubs, small derelict structures and grass-cutting services as part of this initiative. Shemilah Outreach Center will provide all labor, tools and equipment for the scope of services. The contract period shall be from the date of award through December 31,2021. Coalition of Neighborhood Organization(CONO): CONO serves as the umbrella organization to all neighborhood organizations within the City of Decatur. They support the fon-nation, development, and empowerment of grassroots neighborhood organizations. CONO engages in the hard work of tackling neighborhood issues and are dedicated to the betterment of the neighborhoods in our community. In 2021, they began the work of electronic clean-ups and recycling that will have a lasting impact and help keep our communities clean and healthy. Last year, they collected and disposed over 70 televisions throughout Decatur. CONO will be responsible for electronics, such as televisions and computer removal and recycling as part of this