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Section 2: General Limitations And Conditions Of The Program

The following limitations and conditions apply to NSP-funded activities.

2.1 Ineligible activities and expenses include:

  1. Direct social services such as emergency food and housing assistance.
  2. Routine operating expenses of the Community Council such as rent, utilities, building maintenance, repair, and equipment rental, except for Community Council expenses of a Community Council phone service and post office box not to exceed $1000 per contract year.
  3. The purchase of office supplies to support the ongoing operations of the Community Council.
  4. Food expense, with the exception of fund raising resale purposes, limited to $1,500 per contract year.
  5. Entertainment, other than events widely promoted for general attendance by the residents of the community.
  6. Hiring an NSP Manager.
  7. NSP compensation for Project Coordinators and other contractors for performing routine office duties or conducting activities unrelated to those of the Community Council.
  8. Direct cash awards to individuals or groups.
  9. A Community Council using NSP funds to purchase advertising that appears in its own NSP subsidized publications.
  10. Activities that duplicate government services which are currently available within the neighborhood.
  11. Hiring of Community Council officers or their immediate family members, with the exception of minor children who may not earn more than $500 per year from NSP employment.
  12. Use of NSP funds to endorse or promote political candidates.
  13. Activities that fail to serve any public purpose.
2.2 NSP-funded projects are subject to the following conditions:
  1. Fundraising in support of NSP eligible activities is allowed. Expenditures for prizes may not exceed $500 per contract year. Community Council officers and their families may not be recipients of awards or prizes.
  2. Expenditures for community communication projects and/or any items leading to the production of communication projects (i.e., graphic design, layouts, color separations, etc.) shall be limited to $3,000 per contract year unless the Community Council distributes at least one issue to every residence in its neighborhood, in which case the Community Council is eligible for $4,000 per contract year. General communication projects shall be defined as:
    Newsletters
    Brochures (non-project specific)
    Flyers (non-project specific)
    The funding cap on general communications does not include the following: membership recruitment projects, signage specifying community boundaries, or publicity or communication elements that are integral to a larger project and not simply a communication focused project.
  3. All NSP-funded publications shall strive for balanced coverage.
  4. Revenues obtained from NSP projects and their expenditures shall be reported to the Administrating Agency annually.
  5. Revenues obtained from NSP projects shall be expended for activities which are compatible with NSP Guidelines.
  6. Organizational development projects specifically for membership recruitment shall be limited to $1,000.
  7. Fixed assets in excess of $100 per item shall be permanently installed in a public right-of-way or on public property.
  8. Capital assets (items having a useful life of three years or more) where cost exceeds $200 and/or cleanup supplies, tools, etc., shall be made available to the community for NSP projects.
  9. Up to $500 of NSP funds may be used for the preparation of annual audits and /or financial reports.
  10. In requesting funds for projects historically funded by the City of Cincinnati, other than NSP funds, the Community Council shall submit documentation that verifies the City's lack of current funds for the project.
  11. Equipment purchased with NSP funds shall be used primarily in the implementation of NSP allowable projects. Such equipment shall be kept in a publicly accessible location. In the case where a Community Council purchases the equipment on behalf of another community entity, the following information must be provided: a statement indicating where the equipment will be kept, who will use it and for what purposes, and proof of insurance against theft. All equipment purchased with NSP funds will revert back to the Administrating Agency should the Community Council or other community organization cease to exist or no longer have use for the equipment.
  12. Community Councils are required to avoid discriminatory or exclusionary practices. However, with a demonstrated need, NSP-funded programming may be offered to specific residents groups with the understanding that no resident may be denied participation.
  13. Councils shall provide a free, open, and competitive process for each position for which they intend to hire. All paid positions shall be openly advertised to Community residents prior to hiring, even if the community intends to retain current personnel. The NSP Director will provide consultation and written procedures to Councils on their hiring and procurement requirements. Councils shall document the selection process and the basis for payment. This documentation shall be in the form of a memo to the NSP Director and shall be submitted before or with the first claim invoice.
  14. In advance of selecting workers or service contractors, the council shall determine the job descriptions and skills needed for the job and appropriate payment rate. The basis for payment shall consider: job expectations, level of experience, and other criteria defined by the Community Council. In submitting proposals, Councils should determine the type of work they want accomplished and base their proposal budget on a maximum amount they wish to spend. If they are able to obtain a worker for a lesser amount after negotiation with the candidate, then Councils may request an adjustment in the contract line item by writing the NSP Director.
  15. When deciding to hire workers, Councils shall determine whether the worker is an employee or a services contractor. Proposal budgets shall specifically detail the working relationship. If workers are employees, then appropriate withholding for federal, state, and local purposes and other applicable employer taxes shall be detailed and sources of funds for payment identified (NSP or other source). The NSP Director will provide information on the differences between employee and worker relationships. However, the Community Council and its workers are ultimately responsible for adherence to withholding requirements.
  16. Making improvements to City-owned property may require co-ordination with City departments.

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