Editor's Note: Former Chapter 510, Neighborhood Stabilization Grant Program, containing Sections 510.010 through 510.270, was repealed and replaced 1-23-2023 by Ord. No. 4756. Prior history includes: CC 1961 §§ 10.01 — 10.15; Ord. No. 3088; Ord. No. 3198; Ord. No. 3433; Ord. No. 3482; Ord. No. 4320; Ord. No. 4643; and Ord. No. 4712.
[Ord. No. 4756, 1-23-2023]
A. 
The City of Berkeley, Missouri hereby adopts the Berkeley Exterior Housing Neighborhood Stabilization Grant program as set out herein.
B. 
The program is open to all owner-occupied residents with a valid occupancy permit, excluding those who owned their property before 1980. Owner-occupied shall mean those occupying the single-family home as their primary resident.
C. 
The program allows for Berkeley employees to qualify for the program. City Council members cannot participate.
D. 
The program shall be available each year as funds are available and approved by the Council.
[Ord. No. 4756, 1-23-2023]
A. 
The purpose of the housing neighborhood stabilization grant is to improve the appearance of the exterior housing stock in the City of Berkeley.
B. 
Rehabilitation Of Exterior Housing.
1. 
The grant is designed to remedy an existing exterior housing code violation or appearance improvement.
C. 
This program is for all home owners, including employees.
[Ord. No. 4756, 1-23-2023]
A. 
Primary residents will be eligible for two thousand five hundred dollar ($2,500.00) grant.
B. 
The work will be for exterior repairs only.
C. 
The yearly application process will be developed by the Public Works Department.
D. 
Home owners must select contractor and provide the name to Public Works. Family contractors are not allowed to bid on work.
E. 
A permit may be required, fee is exempt to the contractor.
F. 
Owners cannot win more than once within a consecutive five-year period.
G. 
A contractor cannot be a family member/friend of the homeowner.
H. 
Work must be performed by a "State of Missouri" licensed contractor.
I. 
Work must be inspected and approved by Public Works inspections staff before any money is paid directly to the contractor, up to the two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00).
J. 
Multiple items can be approved for improvements that will not exceed the two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00).
K. 
Homeowner must pay all funds that are in excess of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) to the contractor before the City will release the two thousand five hundred dollar ($2,500.00) payment, with proof shown.
L. 
Once approved, payment can take up to thirty (30) days.
[Ord. No. 4756, 1-23-2023]
A. 
The following are the eligibility requirements for the program:
1. 
The house must be the primary residence of the applicant.
2. 
The property must be located in the City of Berkeley.
3. 
Inspection of internal dwelling is not required.
4. 
Must be a single-family dwelling.
5. 
Real estate taxes must be current.
6. 
There will not be an income eligibility requirement.
7. 
Must live in home as primary residence.
8. 
Must provide proof of ownership through St. Louis County Tax Office.
9. 
Grant will be equally divided per Ward for each fiscal year.
[Ord. No. 4756, 1-23-2023]
A. 
The following exterior home repair items are acceptable under this program:
1. 
Driveways and walkways.
2. 
Exterior doors.
3. 
Windows.
4. 
Roof.
5. 
Gutters and downspouts.
6. 
Painting of exterior house.
a. 
Proper preparation is required.
7. 
Landscaping.
8. 
Porches and decks.
9. 
Tree removal.
10. 
Caulking and wintering.
11. 
Overhang.
12. 
Tuck-pointing.
13. 
Any item not listing above must be approved by the Council.
[Ord. No. 4756, 1-23-2023]
A. 
When funds are available, the Council will budget annually.
B. 
Approved payments are made directly to the contractor.
C. 
Payment shall be made to the contractor within seven (7) to fourteen (14) days of submitting invoice.
D. 
The City will not make down payments. A purchase order shall secure payment to the contractor.