(A) Purpose. The stabilization and revitalization of the inner city specifically and the city in general is dependent upon policies, plans and programs enabling positive action within certain targeted areas. The Inner City Enterprise Zone was created to foster stabilization and spur revitalization. As part of this initiative neighborhood networks will be established for the purpose of involving residents of the inner city neighborhoods in activities and to solicit input in policies, plans and programs which meet specific needs and to create organizations that will motivate and encourage involvement in the Inner City Enterprise Zone.
(B) Establishment of neighborhood networks.
(1) Establish. “Neighborhood networks”, as defined in division (C) below are hereby established as organizations performing the duties and responsibilities as outline in division (F) below.
(2) Location. Neighborhood networks will be located within the defined boundaries of the Inner City Enterprise Zone or those areas targeted for incentives by the Hopkinsville City Council. Neighborhood networks or parts of the neighborhood networks which do not lie within the Inner City Enterprise Zone will not be eligible for incentives.
(C) Definitions. The following definitions will be used to interpret and implement this section.
EMPOWERMENT PLANS. Incorporate and address the needs of the neighborhood identified by the neighborhood network. It shall be comprehensive and shall take into consideration and show the relationship to the City/County Comprehensive Plan Focus on the Future. Empowerment plans shall focus on neighborhood restoration. This may include, but is not limited to, projects for infrastructure, increased public safety, rehabilitation and construction of affordable housing, recreation and open space, environmental clean up, employment and training and improvement of educational opportunities.
NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK(S). A geographic area with distinguishing characteristics or in which the residents have a sense of identity and community of perceived interest, or both. Factors contributing to neighborhood identity include shared development, history, architecture, social and economic relationships, physical boundaries and the existence of one or more organizations devoted to neighborhood preservation and improvement.
(D) General principals of neighborhood networks.
(1) Foundation. The neighborhood network must be developed based on the following general principals:
(a) Social needs of neighborhood residents, particularly lower income residents, must be addressed to provide a safe and healthy environment for neighborhood residents, provide for self sufficiency of families and increase the economic and social stability of neighborhoods;
(b) Children residing in the neighborhood must be given an opportunity for a quality education and the needs of each neighborhood must be addressed individually wherever possible; and
(c) Physical structure of the neighborhood must be enhanced by providing safe and suitable housing and infrastructure to increase desirability of inner city neighborhoods as places to live.
(2) General activities. Neighborhood networks may provide the following:
(a) Identification of areas within the neighborhood network requiring assistance through the Empowerment Plan;
(b) A strategy for citizen participation and information dissemination meeting the standards outlined in division (F) below;
(c) The Neighborhood Network Empowerment Plan meeting the standards outlined in division (F) below;
(d) Partnership agreements with outside organizations to assist in the implementation of the Empowerment Plan; and
(e) The means to evaluate the success of the Empowerment Plan.
(E) Qualifying neighborhood networks. The following requirements must be met to qualify areas as neighborhood networks and to create a system to fund their operations.
(1) Organization. A neighborhood network shall be qualified under this section if the Christian County Hopkinsville Development Corporation issues an order designating it as a qualified organization.
(2) Requirements. The Christian County Hopkinsville Development Corporation shall issue an order designating a neighborhood network as qualified under this section if it finds:
(a) The neighborhood network has filed an application showing:
1. Its proposed boundaries, which encompass land within the Inner City Residential Enterprise Zone;
2. The name, address, telephone number, fax number and email address of its representative or office for the receipt of notices and other communications; and
3. Names and addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers and email addresses of its officers and directors.
(b) Optional: A membership program has been established with membership representing more than 5% of the adults residing within the boundaries, for all or a substantial part of the year. Membership or other evidence must be satisfactory to the Christian County Hopkinsville Development Corporation;
(c) At least 50% of the area of land within the boundaries of the neighborhood network is developed for residential use or is available for residential use under the existing development controls and has at least 50 occupied residential units;
(d) A meeting schedule of at least six meetings a year, with notification provisions and public participation program. Meeting attendance goals shall be provided for each meeting. The minimum attendance number for each meeting shall be ten members;
(e) Must file Articles of Incorporation with the State of Kentucky and be recognized as a non-profit organization by the State of Kentucky;
(f) Optional: A partnership agreement with an outside organization agreeing to help within the boundaries of the neighborhood network which commits volunteer labor, funding and other resources to assist in the implementation of the Empowerment Plan; and
(g) Optional: IRS Certification as a 501(c)3 Corporation.
(F) Duties and funding.
(1) Duties. A qualified neighborhood network may perform the following duties, as set forth below, as well as any other duties the neighborhood network deems necessary to stabilize and revitalize the neighborhood:
(a) A membership program and yearly membership goals which must be met within 5% of the established number;
(b) A Citizen Participation Program demonstrating how information will be distributed throughout the neighborhood;
(c) A set of bylaws adopted as the rules governing the neighborhood network. The bylaws will include at a minimum:
1. Membership;
2. Officers and elections;
3. Finance and accounting controls; and
4. Meeting time, place and dates.
(d) Empowerment Plan drafted and adopted containing the following:
1. The plan must be consistent with the City/County Comprehensive Plan Focus on the Future.
2. The plan must focus on neighborhood restoration.
3. The plan must set forth projects to be accomplished within a two-year period with time tables for implementation and a responsible person or group.
4. The projects shall address, but not be limited to:
a. Infrastructure;
b. Public safety;
c. Rehabilitation and/or construction of affordable housing;
d. Recreation and open space;
e. Litter abatement;
f. Employment and training; and
g. Educational opportunities.
5. The projects will become the scope of work and be referenced as such in the implementing agreements.
6. The plan shall also provide a means of evaluating the performance as related to project implementation.
(e) Partnership agreements assisting with the implementation of the Empowerment Plan. The partnership agreement shall in detail set forth the type of assistance being provided.
(2) Funding. In order to pay for the expenses of a qualified neighborhood network, the Christian County Hopkinsville Development Corporation shall provide funds through an implementing agreement based on the following fee structure. The neighborhood network will have the option to complete one or all of the activities listed:
(a) Membership program with yearly membership goals: $1,500;
(b) A Citizen Participation Program: $1,500;
(c) Bylaws: $1,500;
(d) Empowerment Plan: $1,500; and/or
(e) Partnership agreements: $1,500
(G) Implementing agreements.
(1) Agreements. To receive funding for activities undertaken, implementing agreements will be required to be executed between the qualified neighborhood network and the Christian County Hopkinsville Development Corporation.
(2) Terms and conditions. The implementing agreements should contain the following items:
(a) A description of the role and responsibilities of each party to the agreement with respect to the preparation and approval of Empowerment Plans;
(b) A description of activities to be carried out by the neighborhood network, including any programs listed in the Empowerment Plan, to be implemented by the neighborhood network such as housing development, litter abatement, public safety and the like;
(c) A description of responsibilities of the Christian County Hopkinsville Development Corporation in reviewing Empowerment Plans for consistency with adopted comprehensive plans and amendments to land use regulations to the extent they affect city-wide interest;
(d) An annual report by the Neighborhood Network to the city concerning activities carried out pursuant to the agreement during the previous year;
(e) A copy of minutes for all meetings and budgeting reports or treasury reports;
(f) The amount of funds and the purposes for which funds will be expended;
(g) The terms of the agreement and provisions for renewal as well as termination;
(h) A description of the implementation and monitoring responsibilities once a plan has been completed; and
(i) A requirement each qualifying neighborhood network shall comply with and be subject to Hopkinsville Code of Ethics (Chapter 36), Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870-61.884) and Kentucky Open Meetings Act (KRS 61.805-61.850).
(Ord. 05-2006, passed 2-23-2006)