RESOLUTION 00-113

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA AUTHORIZING A 2000 DOLLAR CONTRIBUTION TO THE TOWN SQUARE COMMITTEE FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMPLETING PRELIMINARY DESIGN WORK ON THE TOWN SQUARE PROJECT

WHEREAS, the Town Square Project is a citizen-based effort that formed in May of 1998 to "envision and create, through inclusive community planning, an area within the Central Business District of Homer that will be a magnet for the community, provide for business development, instill a greater sense of pride in the downtown area, make Homer more pedestrian-friendly, and contribute to a higher quality of life"; and

WHEREAS, the Town Square Committee has been working strategically to develop community and landowner relationships; and

WHEREAS, the Town Square Project has raised to date over $70,000 in private, non-City funds towards this goal; and

WHEREAS, the Town Square Committee consists of representatives of downtown businesses, City Planning Commission, City Planning Department, Kachemak Heritage Land Trust, Homer Public Library, Kachemak Bay Campus of the Kenai Peninsula College, Homer Council on the Arts, Pratt Museum, Homer Trails Committee, City Council, Homer Chamber of Commerce and Parks and Recreation Commission; and

WHEREAS, the importance and viability of the Town Square Project has been acknowledged in the comprehensive plan; and

WHEREAS, the Town Square Committee has held four public forums and has synthesized community input; and

WHEREAS, the Town Square Committee recently held a landowner workshop with major CBD landowners and land design consultant Chris Beck; and

WHEREAS, three preliminary design concepts will be developed by Chris Beck and Associates for presentation to participating Central Business District property owners; and

WHEREAS, the City Planning Department has not expended approximately 7000 dollars, a result of the delay in hiring a new department head, which could be redirected to community planning efforts; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Homer City Council authorizes a $2,000 contribution to the Town Square Committee for the purpose of completing preliminary design work on the Town Square Project.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 27th day of November, 2000.

CITY OF HOMER

ATTEST: _________________________________

JACK CUSHING, MAYOR

____________________________________

MARY L. CALHOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: $2,000 from 100.5210.130