Acronyms
CIB – Capital Improvement Budget, the City's bi-annual budget for capital improvements
HRA – Housing and Redevelopment Authority, the legal entity that undertakes redevelopment activities on behalf of the City of Saint Paul. The HRA Board members are also members of the City Council.
PED – Planning and Economic Development is the city department responsible for housing and economic development initiatives. PED staff administers the STAR program.
STAR – Sales Tax Revitalization Program
Definitions
Administrative Expenses – General overhead costs necessary to run an organization, including payroll, office space, supplies, rent, utilities, etc.
Affirmative Action – A City policy which requires entities receiving City financial assistance to develop a plan for the recruitment and integration of women and minorities into their businesses
Annual Report – A written document completed once a year on activities and accomplishments of the Neighborhood STAR and Year Round STAR Programs
Applicant – An entity applying for a loan and/or grant from the STAR program
Audit – An examination of an organization's financial and administrative records to ensure compliance with financial and program standards
Borrower – A person or entity that takes out a loan
Business Subsidy – A state law requiring that certain businesses receiving state or local government assistance must have a defined public purpose and recipients must set goals for job creation, wages and benefits to be achieved within two years of receiving the assistance
Capital Improvement – A physical improvement of property
Collateral – Property that can be assigned as security to ensure recovery of a loan, should a borrower default
Contract/Agreement – A legally binding agreement between the City and a STAR recipient which specifies the terms, conditions, duties, and responsibilities of all participants
Creative Placemaking – An economic development approach using arts and culture inspired by public, private, nonprofit, and community partners to shape the physical and social character of a place to spur further economic investment, encourage social change, and improve the built environment
Creative Placekeeping – An economic development strategy that supports a community’s ability to maintain a place and its social fabric through active care via arts, culture, and other creative and economic mechanisms. This strategy doesn’t solely focus on shaping and changing physical and social spaces but preserving and keeping the cultural memories associated with the locale in the area.
Credit Committee – A select group of staff members of the Department of Planning and Economic Development that review financial aspects of proposed loans and grants
Cultural Corridor – A stretch of blocks that have a concentrated presence of culturally themed physical, business and other assets
Cultural District – A collection of cultural nodes and/or cultural corridors unified around a common cultural theme
Cultural Diversity – The existence of a variety of cultural or ethnic groups within a society, in this case the City of Saint Paul
Cultural Node – A small area usually a block or blocks that have a concentrated presence of culturally themed physical, business and other assets
Direct Project Costs - Reasonable costs which are necessary to carry out the construction and completion of a capital project
Federal Davis Bacon - Projects funded with $2,000 or more of federal dollars
Final Evaluation - A written assessment of the accomplishments and value of the completed program or project
Funding Cycle - The annual time-period required to notify the public, solicit and review proposals, and award STAR Program funds
Grant - An award of funds for a project or program which does not require repayment if certain conditions are met
Job Creation - Jobs that are pledged to be created as a result of a STAR activity
Labor Standards - A schedule of wages defined as fair for construction workers
Leverage - Money or other resources committed to a STAR project or program. STAR loans over $50,000 and every STAR grant dollar require a minimum $1 for $1 leverage with other resources.
Lien Waiver – A document from a contractor, subcontractor, materials supplier, equipment lessor or other party stating they have received payment
Little Davis-Bacon – City requirements related to paying prevailing wage rates for work on a City-funded project
Living Wage – A level of wages that is sufficient to support a family household
Loan – Funds that are awarded with the understanding that the money will be repaid
Match – Money or other resources pledged to a STAR project or program. STAR loans over $50,000 and every STAR grant dollar requires a minimum $1 for $1 match with non-City resources.
Neighborhood STAR Board – 21 Saint Paul residents, appointed by the Mayor and approved by City Council, responsible for reviewing applications and making funding recommendations for the award of STAR funds
Neighborhood STAR Program – The City program that awards loans and grants for capital neighborhood improvement projects. The STAR program is financed through the City's half-cent sales tax.
Origination Fee: A fee charged by the City at the time of finance closing equal to 1% of the amount of STAR loan or grant dollars awarded
Planning Commission – Saint Paul residents, appointed by the Mayor and City Council, charged with making recommendations regarding planning for the City's redevelopment and improvement
Pre-Construction Compliance Meeting – A meeting held between City staff and the entities that have been awarded STAR funds to discuss City requirements that must be met as a condition of City funding
Program – An activity by which funds are passed through an organization to an end user
Project – A one-time capital improvement to a specific property
Project Management – The activity of coordinating and overseeing the development and completion of a funded project or program
Project Manager – A PED staff person assigned to work with persons in the development, oversight, and management of activities financed in whole or part with City funds
Project Proforma – A realistic projection of income and expenses for a typical year of operation, and a balance sheet that reflects the post-loan closing conditions
Proposal – An application to fund a project or program
Section 3 – Provides economic opportunities to low and very-low income persons and businesses
Site Control – Authority to perform capital improvements to a site through ownership, long- term lease or signed purchase agreement
Small Business – An entity with under $1 million in gross sales or fewer than 20 full-time employees
Small Area Plan – A plan adopted by City Council for the redevelopment or improvement of a defined geographic area within the city.
Statement of Work/Scope of Services – A description of the activities that will be performed in the implementation of a project or program, including person(s) responsible, a timeline, and detailed budget
Sweat Equity – Work a property owner performs to complete a capital improvement on their own property. The value of this work may be used as a partial match for STAR funds.
Vendor Outreach Program – A City program designed to ensure a percentage of goods and services purchased by the City or by City-funded entities is provided by small, minority-owned and/or women-owned businesses