ORDINANCE approving and authorizing submission of an application for grant assistance to HOUSTON ENDOWMENT, INC; accepting a grant for the City of Houston to fund staff salaries, related benefits, and other expenses to establish an office of Complete Communities; approving an agreement between the City of Houston and HOUSTON ENDOWMENT, INC; authorizing the Director of the City’s Planning and Development Department to act as the City’s representative to accept and expend the grant funds, and to apply for and accept all subsequent awards, if any - $940,000.00 – Grant Fund

The Mayor’s Office and the Planning Department request that Council approve an ordinance authorizing the City to apply for and accept a grant award from the Houston Endowment to fund staff salaries, related benefits and costs to establish an Office of Complete Communities.

Complete Communities is an initiative of Mayor Turner’s office launched in April 2017 with 5 pilot neighborhoods: Acres Homes; Gulfton; Near Northside; Second Ward, and; Third Ward. The intent is to move to other neighborhoods in other parts of the City. This grant would allow the City to hire 2 key staff to execute the Mayor’s vision for this program and facilitate implementation of the community action plans adopted by City Council in August 2018.

The grant consists of 2 annual payments: $465,584 for year one; $474,416 for year two. These amounts include salary and associated funding for a Director and Assistant Director of the Office of Complete Communities which will report to the Mayor. It also provides for administrative costs.

Fiscal Note

No Fiscal Note is required on grant items

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Margaret Wallace-Brown

Acting Director, Planning Department

Dylan Osborne  -  832-393-6615