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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGreater Cedar Valley Alliance-12/21/2015FY2016 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT AGREEMENT TO SUPPORT "FULFILLING THE VISION" CAMPAIGN FOR ECONOMIC VITALITY OF THE GREAT CEDAR VALLEY ALLIANCE This Agreement is entered into as of 'he;Gehnlee/ Zl , 2015, by and between the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance ("GCVA"), and the City of Waterloo, Iowa ("City"). WHEREAS, the GCVA has proposed to provide projects to increase the economic vitality and wealth by leading collaborative economic and community development in the Cedar Valley and whereby the Alliance will engage in economic development activities to directly benefit the City of Waterloo; and WHEREAS, the "Fulfilling the Vision" Campaign for Economic Vitality is explained in GCVA's application filed with the City, a copy of which is attached hereto, marked Exhibit "A", and by this reference made a part hereof; and WHEREAS, through the adoption of the FY2015 budget, the City Council of City has agreed in principle to provide certain funding for said project on certain terms and conditions, including execution of a formal agreement outlining the duties and responsibilities of the GCVA and the City; and WHEREAS, GCVA and City have reached agreement on the precise terms and conditions under which the project will be undertaken and the funding provided, and now desire to reduce their agreement to writing. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants exchanged herein, the parties agree as follows: 1. Recipient Status. GCVA affirms that it is a private, non-profit corporation organized and existing under Iowa law. GCVA shall provide proof of tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Service Revenue Code prior to receiving funding. GCVA has also provided City with a copy of its mission statement and a detailed summary from an officer or board member that specifies GCVA's use of the funds, consistent with the concept of "public purpose" as described in Iowa Code § 15A.1(2), (5) or otherwise by addendum to this Agreement. 2. Recipient Documentation. Prior to receiving funding, GCVA shall provide the following documentation to City: a. Proof of business entity status, including a copy of by-laws and articles of incorporation if applicable; b. Complete information on the source and amount of funding received from all other sources, including but not limited to non-governmental agencies, membership dues and fees, and private contributions; c. Names and addresses of directors and /or officers; d. Line item budget for current fiscal year; e. List of any additional pending applications for funding to include funding source and dollar amount requested. 3) Provide investors and industry partners with quantitative wage, benefit, and other workforce demographics to assist with retention and expansion of the workforce. 4) Conduct a comprehensive workforce analysis that will identify existing employment gaps and projections for workforce shortages in certain occupations. This will include involvement and input of regional educational institutions including those in Waterloo. The analysis will help direct programming and curriculum to meet the workforce needs of existing businesses today and in the future. d. Government Relations. 1) Tax Reform: Corporate and personal income tax reduction, establish a consumable sales tax exemption for manufacturing, continue to advocate for fair and equitable property tax system, maintain TIF as an economic development tool, and support legislation that would allow cities and counties to self -fund general obligation bond debt. 2) Workforce and Education: Education, recruitment and retention of workers, support adequate funding for workforce training, promote NCRC, expand apprenticeship program, support state universities funding mechanisms, continue to emphasize STEM skills, evaluate immigration policies, and protect the Iowa Core Curriculum. 3) Economic Development: Support current funding for IEDA incentives, fully fund and expand the Strategic Infrastructure Fund, strengthen opportunities for entrepreneurs, explore and establish ED programs, and mandate later school start dates. 4) Infrastructure, Transportation and Communications: Expand broadband/Connect Every Iowan program, fund the reconstruction of University Avenue, support new or alternative sources of funding highway and bridge repair/replacement, explore alternative methods for funding transportation infrastructure construction, and create direct state air service subsidies. e. Telling the Cedar Valley Story - Improving the "Brand". 1) A continuing priority is to communicate a brand message that positions the Cedar Valley as an economic driven by technology and innovation led businesses, as well as a superior Midwest quality of life. A branding campaign is currently in the design process and funding will be needed to execute on this campaign to communicate our message not only to those with the Cedar Valley, but to talent and businesses outside the Cedar Valley 4. Funding. The City agrees to provide funding in an amount not in excess of $85,000 in order to support implementation of the Project, upon Request for Payment as provided in Paragraph 7, and upon receipt of the Accounting required in Paragraph 5, as follows: a. An amount not to exceed $28,500 to be paid in two separate payments of $14,250 each on December 31, 2015, and on or before June 30, 2016; and b. An amount not in excess of $56,500 in potential incentive funds, if earned, as follows: 3 employment-related claims of any type or nature whatsoever that are made by a GCVA employee or against a GCVA employee by others will be the sole responsibility of GCVA. 7. Request for Payment. All requests for payment or reimbursement shall be submitted by GCVA to City on a semi-annual basis, specifically, no later than December 1, 2015, and June 1, 2016. All payments or reimbursements are contingent upon receipt of the documentation required in Paragraph 5 above, and upon receipt of the Report on Project Results required in Paragraph 8. City shall have a period of up to thirty (30) days from date of receipt of each request for payment and all necessary documentation, within which to make payment or reimbursement under the Agreement. 8. Report on Project Results. GCVA agrees to provide the City with a written summary documenting the results of the Project on a semi-annual basis, specifically no later than December 1, 2015, and June I, 2016. Such report shall include without limitation: a. Details of external marketing efforts, including, but not limited to: the number of initial calls, contacts, leads, prospects and material responses to request for information; b. The number of acres of new development in all Development Areas, grouped by Development Area (each acre must contain 10,000 sq. ft. of building structure on average); c. The amount of new taxable value added to all Development Areas, grouped by Development Area; and d. The number of new FTE jobs created in all Development Areas, grouped by Development Area (each FTE job must have an hourly starting wage of at least $15.21). 9. Return of Funds. In the event GCVA does not use funds for the intended purpose(s) or in the event GCVA does not comply with the reporting requirements of Paragraph 8 above, the funds or any portion thereof shall be returned to the City prior to the end of the current fiscal year, which is June 30, 2016. 10. Time Limitation of Funding. The parties hereby acknowledge that the City is not committed or obligated to provide funds beyond the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and that any future project or program requires a separate request and is subject to City Council approval and execution of a separate written agreement. However, this Agreement however does not prohibit GCVA from requesting additional financial support from the City for other activities associated with the Project in the Cedar Valley. 11. Recipient Board. The GCVA Board of Directors will be charged with planning for the appropriate expenditure of City grant funds in accordance with this Agreement. The Mayor or his/her designee will represent City on the Board. 12. Termination. Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time if: a. The other party materially breaches the terms of this Agreement; provided that the non - breaching party shall have given the breaching party written notice of such breach and the breaching party shall have failed to cure the same within (30) days after receipt of such notice; 5 17. Term of Agreement. This Agreement covers the period from July 1, 2015 through and including June 30, 2016. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement by their duly authorized representatives as of the date stated above. GREATER CEDAR VALLEY ALLIANCE CITY OF ATERLOO, IOWA By: C J' � � f By: Steven D st, P rnest G. Clark, Mayor resid nt Attest: 7 Suzy Sc ares, City Clerk