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Board outlines $5,000-per-building pigeon-remediation and façade reimbursement program with $50,000 cap; applications to be mailed to downtown properties
Summary
The board discussed and approved program details for a downtown matching-reimbursement grant to address pigeon remediation and façade repairs: one-to-one reimbursement up to $5,000 per building, roughly 18 targeted addresses, a $50,000 program cap for the year, and a Nov. 3 application deadline to keep work within 2025 spending.
The board reviewed parameters for a downtown pigeon-remediation and façade matching-grant program designed to encourage building repairs and reduce pigeon habitat.
Under the program, property owners in the downtown district may apply for one-to-one reimbursement of eligible pigeon-remediation and façade work up to $5,000 per building. Staff indicated roughly 18 downtown addresses will receive mailed applications; the board discussed a program cap of $50,000 for the year, which would fund roughly 10 awards at the $5,000 maximum.
Board members clarified the program operates as reimbursement: applicants submit a proposed project and approximate cost estimate in advance, choose their contractor (or document self-performed labor), provide photos of existing conditions and an estimate, complete an IRS W-9 and receive reimbursement after submitting proof of completed work. A board member noted that municipal reimbursements may be reportable and could generate Form 1099-G tax reporting; members agreed to collect W-9s and to include a tax-note in application materials.
The board set an application timeline aimed at keeping the spending in the 2025 budget year: staff proposed a Nov. 3 application deadline with a Dec. 1 latest submittal to allow approval and reimbursement within the year; if demand is greater than anticipated, the board said it can revisit the cap.
Members debated what activities should be ineligible; they generally favored avoiding detailed mandates about building appearance and agreed to handle applications case-by-case rather than try to prescribe every allowable facade element. Staff (Kristen) said she will mail the finalized application packet to downtown property owners once the board signs off on edits to documentation requirements and language (notably removing a requirement to submit photos of completed work before reimbursement). The board asked to be kept apprised of incoming applications given the monthly meeting cadence.
Next steps: staff will revise the application and supporting letter, mail packets to the listed downtown addresses, and provide updates to the board on incoming applications and any necessary adjustments to the program cap.
