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HomeMy WebLinkAbout135-21 RESOLUTIONOF FAYFr? i r 9HKANSP 113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 Resolution: 135-21 File Number: 2021-0302 PEACE AT HOME FAMILY SHELTER, INC.: A RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE PUBLIC NOTICE THAT THE CITY COL`NCIL IS CONSIDERING THE SALE TO THE NONPROFIT PEACE AT HOME FAMILY SHELTER, INC. OF ABOUT FOUR ACRES OF LAND WHICH ADJOINS ITS CURR=NT SHELTER WHEREAS, in 2005 the City Council conveyed about 1.5 acres to Peace at Rome for $30,000.00 to assist this non-profit charitable organization to build a new larger facility to better protect and serve our citizens and their children suffering from domestic abuse; and WHEREAS, the City Council in 2005 also leased about another 2.2 acres to Serve as a buffer zone and for a septic system leach field; and WHEREAS, Peace at Home Family Shelter soon built a beautiful, safe, and functional facility on its new property which allowed them to increase their vital services and help many more victims of domestic abuse during the last 12 years; and WHEREAS, Peace at Home's current shelter can no longer fully serve all farm -lies that need their services, but may receive a substantial grant which would enable them to substantially enlarge their facilities and increase vital services to meet Fayetteville citizens' important and growing needs; and WHEREAS, Peace at Home has agreed to work with the City to ensure that ary City property needed for their residents' pet shelter and their new family shelter will be designed and located as efficiently as possible both for Peace at Home and for our taxpayers. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OE THE CITY OF Page 1 Printed on 515121 Resolution: 135-21 File Number.' 2021-0302 FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby notifies the public that the City may sell as much as four acres to Peace at Home for a cost of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) per acre for the hoped for expansion of the Peace at Home Family Shelter and for a small pet shelter for the Peace at Home residents' pets. Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby expresses its intention to rezone the property if necessary to allow the construction and use of a pet shelter and the Peace at Home Family Shelter's new facility on this property and determines that no appraisal of property is necessary because the non-profit Peace at Home Family Shelter provides vital services for our citizens justifying the same reduced cost per acre as was used in 2005. Section 3: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby informs the public that the City Council may consider a City Council resolution to sell this property to Peace at Home Family Shelter, Inc. during the June Ist, 2021 City Council Meeting. Section 4: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby determines that this property adjoining the Peace at Home Family Shelter is no longer needed for municipal purposes especially in light of vital services that will be provided to our citizens on thi3 property if Peace at Home is able to enlarge its domestic violence shelter and build a pet shelter for its residents. PASSED and APPROVED on 5/4/2021 Attest: Kara Paxton, City Clerk re su�\1Y OF FAY FTTi MI LILE Page 2 Printed on 515121 City of Fayetteville Arkansas 113 West Mountain Street - — Fayetteville, AR 72701 a (479) 575-8323 Text File File Number: 2021-0302 Agenda Date: 5/4/2021 Version: 1 Status: Passed In Control: City Council Meeting File Type: Resolution Agenda Number: C.2 PEACE AT HOME FAMILY SHELTER, INC.: A RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE PUBLIC NOTICE THAT THE CITY COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING THE SALE TO THE NONPROFIT PEACE AT HOME FAMILY SHELTER, INC. OF ABOUT FOUR ACRES OF LAND WHICH ADJOINS ITS CURRENT SHELTER WHEREAS, in 2005 the City Council conveyed about 1.5 acres to Peace at Home for $30,000.00 to assist this non-profit charitable organization to build a new larger facility to better protect and serve our citizens and their children suffering from domestic abuse; and WHEREAS, the City Council in 2005 also leased about another 2.2 acres to serve as a buffer zone and for a septic system leach field; and WHEREAS, Peace at Home Family Shelter soon built a beautiful, safe, and functional facility on its new property which allowed them to increase their vital services and help many more victims of domestic abuse during the last 12 years; and WHEREAS, Peace at Home's current shelter can no longer fully serve all families that need their services, but may receive a sdbstantial grant which would enable them to substantially enlarge their facilities and increase vital services to meet Fayetteville citizens' important and growing needs; and WHEREAS, Peace at Home has agreed to work with the City to ensure that any City property needed for their residents' pet shelter and their new family, shelter will be designed and located as efficiently as possible both for Peace at Home and for our taxpayers. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby notifies the public that the City may sell as much as four acres to Peace at Home for a cost of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) per acre for the hoped for'expansion of the Peace at Home Family Shelter and for a small pet shelter for the Peace at Home residents' pets. City of Fayetteville, Arkansas Page 1 Printed on 5/5/2021 File Number: 2021-0302 Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby expresses its intention to rezone the property if necessary to allow the construction and use of a pet shelter and the Peace at Home Family Shelter's new facility on this property and determines that no appraisal of property is necessary because the non-profit Peace at Home Family Shelter provides vital services for our citizens justifying the same reduced cost per acre as was used in 2005. Section 3: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby informs the public that the City Council may consider a City Council resolution to sell this property to Peace at Home Family Shelter, Inc. during the June 1 st, 2021 City Council Meeting. Section 4: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby determines that this property adjoining the Peace at Home Family Shelter is no longer needed for municipal purposes especially in light of vital services that will be provided to our citizens on this property if Peace at Home is able to enlarge its domestic violence shelter and build a pet shelter for its residents. City of Fayetteville, Arkansas Page 2 Printed on 5/5/2021 City of Fayetteville Staff Review Form 2021-0302 Legistar File ID 5/4/2021 City Council Meeting Date - Agenda Item Only N/A for Non -Agenda Item Susan Norton 4/15/2021 MAYORS ADMIN (015) Submitted By Submitted Date Division / Department Action Recommendation: Resolution to provide public notice that the City Council is considering the sale to the nonprofit Peace at Home Family Shelter, Inc. of about four acres of land which adjoins its current shelter. Budget Impact: Account Number Fund Project Number Project Title Budgeted Item? NA Current Budget $ - Funds Obligated $ - Current Balance $ - Does item have a cost? No Item Cost Budget Adjustment Attached? No Budget Adjustment Remaining Budget $ - V20180321 Purchase Order Number: Previous Ordinance or Resolution # Change Order Number: Original Contract Number: Comments: Approval Date: CITY OF Q FAYETTEVILLE ARKANSAS MEETING OF [MONTH, DAY YEAR] TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Susan Norton, Chief of Staff DATE: 4/15/21 CITY COUNCIL MEMO SUBJECT: Resolution of Intent to sell land to Peace at Home Family Shelter, Inc. RECOMMENDATION: Mayor Jordan recommends the City Council approve a resolution to provide public notice that the City Council is considering the sale to the nonprofit Peace at Home Family Shelter, Inc., of about four acres of land which adjoins its current shelter. BACKGROUND: The City of Fayetteville has long appreciated and supported the efforts of the nonprofit Peace at Home Family Shelter as a service that provides vital accommodations for victims of family violence and domestic abuse. On January 4, 2005, the City Council approved the initial sale of 1.5 acres of land for the construction of a new shelter east of Highway 265 on Ivy Lane for $30,000 (Ordinance 4670). The City also leased additional land as a buffer zone for increased privacy and security and for a temporary septic system area. Peace at Home moved into this facility in 2008. DISCUSSION: Over the last 12 years, the Peace at Home program has grown to address the needs of domestic violence survivors and their children, growing from 12 staff members with an annual budget of less than $800,000 to a 35 member team with an annual budget of over $2,500,000. Services have expanded to include a rapid rehousing team to help families obtain and pay for safe new housing, bilingual therapeutic services, and a children's program to address their unique needs. The Shelter now works with over 1,000 families seeking support from domestic violence annually. The Shelter has now outgrown the existing building and office space and currently operates a waiting list for emergency safe shelter, with approximately 30% of the requests for emergency shelter going unmet. The Shelter is proposing to purchase 4 acres of city land for an expansion which will include more capacity for beds and baths, additional parking, and the Candy Clark Pet Sanctuary to be constructed in memory of one of its biggest supporters, in order to provide a safe space for families staying at the shelter to house their pets. The sale price would be the same as the City previously authorized in 2005 - $20,000 per acre, in acknowledgement of the vital services performed by the Shelter. Mailing Address: 113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov Fayetteville, AR 72701 PEACE at 2 O {4AUt1 K ;t,ELTI:R T Peace at Home Family Shelter Candy Clark Pet Sanctuary Vision Safe Haven for Pets in Shelter It is not safe for animals in domestic violence households. Animal abuse both correlates highly with domestic violence and is a known tactic of domestic violence. Nearly 30% of domestic violence survivors will delay leaving a dangerous situation if they are unable to take their animals with them. And with good reason. Domestic batterers will often harm beloved pets as punishment especially if they are left behind. Survivors of domestic violence need a safe place for themselves and their pets when escaping violence. Currently the Peace at Home Family Shelter is not equipped to regularly have pets in shelter. A space is needed so that the health and welfare of family pets can be assured while still keeping a safe space for all residents of the emergency shelter. Candy Clark Pet Sanctuary The Candy Clark Pet Sanctuary will be constructed in loving memory of community advocate, animal lover, and Peace at Home supporter, Candy Clark. This building will provide a safe space for families staying at the shelter to house their beloved pets. With the Candy Clark Pet Sanctuary, families will be near their pets and able to see them and care for them every day. It would also allow the pets to be close to their families, but safely separated from the other families in shelter who may have pet allergies or be uncomfortable around animals. The Candy Clark Pet Sanctuary will make leaving domestic violence safer for our community members and their pets, but it cannot be built on our current site without additional land. It is important that the land the Candy Clark Pet Sanctuary is built on is near the emergency shelter so that families can easily walk to care for and play with their pets every single day. Construction According to estimates obtained from a construction company, building a pet sanctuary that would safely house up to 6 dogs and up to 4 cats would cost approximately $550,000 and require additional land adjacent to the emergency shelter. In addition to construction costs, the kennel would require start-up equipment and supplies such as food, cleaning supplies, care and grooming materials, and a basic veterinary setup. Total initial costs excluding the value of land are estimated to be about $600,000. We have already secured a lead gift for this project and many smaller gifts. Ongoing Needs Once established, the Candy Clark Pet Sanctuary would require some ongoing operational support to care for pets on an ongoing basis. A part-time kennel manager would be needed to oversee the 1 PEACE at O S Ii FI Ilk m Candy Clark Pet Sanctuary and ensure all animals are appropriately cared for. Food and supplies would be required as well as some veterinary care expenses. We anticipate ongoing expenses for the Candy Clark Pet Sanctuary to total $25,000 per year, though this figure will likely increase annually with inflation. A generous donor has already committed to covering these ongoing operational expenses in perpetuity. Ongoing Partnerships For families with pets to receive the best care while staying at Peace at Home Family Shelter and the Candy Clark Pet Sanctuary, strong partnerships with a veterinarian and other animal organizations will be critical. Peace at Home Family Shelter has developed relationships with several area animal hospitals, but would welcome recommendations on organizations and businesses as potential animal care partners. Operations Peace at Home Family Shelter's policies and procedures would be updated to reflect the addition of the Candy Clark Pet Sanctuary. Peace at Home will utilize the Sheltering Animals and Families Together (SAF-T) manual as a guide for adjusting operations as needed. This guide was specifically designed to help domestic violence programs incorporate safe pet shelter into their emergency shelter programs. Vision The vision of the Candy Clark Pet Sanctuary is to make it possible for families to safely flee domestic violence with all of their family members, including their animals. This program will give families peace of mind. It will keep survivors of domestic violence and the animals they love safe. Land Request Peace at Home is requesting to lease four acres from the City of Fayetteville to build the Candy Clark Pet Sanctuary. The City of Springdale has agreed to support the water and sewer needs for the project.