Neighborhood Preservation and Enhancement Program; participation; creation of Neighborhood Preservation and Enhancement Districts; creation of Neighborhood Councils and Neighborhood Enhancement Plans.

(1) The governing body of any municipality or county may authorize its participation in the Neighborhood Preservation and Enhancement Program through the adoption of a local ordinance. After a local ordinance has been adopted authorizing the participation of the local government in the Neighborhood Preservation and Enhancement Program, the local government shall notify the residents within the boundaries of the local government about the program. The local government shall designate or create an agency that shall be responsible for the enforcement of Neighborhood Enhancement Plans. This agency may be the local code enforcement board, county sheriff, municipal police department, or any other agency the local government feels will provide adequate enforcement of the adopted Neighborhood Enhancement Plans.

(2) Neighborhood Preservation and Enhancement Districts shall be created as follows:

(a) Residents of a particular neighborhood may initiate the creation of a district in their area by notifying the local government planning agency. The planning agency shall assist those residents to define the boundaries and size of the district; or

(b) The municipality or county may initiate the creation of a district by identifying those areas which are in need of enhancement and approaching the residents of the identified neighborhood to encourage the formation of a Neighborhood Preservation and Enhancement District. The identified neighborhood and the municipality or county shall define the district’s boundaries and size.

(3) After the boundaries and size of the Neighborhood Preservation and Enhancement District have been defined, the local government shall pass an ordinance authorizing the creation of the Neighborhood Preservation and Enhancement District. The ordinance shall contain a finding that the boundaries of the Neighborhood Preservation and Enhancement District comply with s. 163.340(7) or (8)(a)-(o) or do not contain properties that are protected by deed restrictions. Such ordinance may be amended or repealed in the same manner as other local ordinances.

(4) The residents within the Neighborhood Preservation and Enhancement District shall create a Neighborhood Council. The Neighborhood Council shall consist of five members who reside in the district chosen by residents of the district in an election at a noticed public meeting, subject to approval by the local governing body. The five members shall choose among themselves a president, vice president, secretary, and other officers as needed.

(5) The Neighborhood Council and local government planning agency shall be eligible to receive grants.

(6) The Neighborhood Council and the local government planning agency shall prepare a Neighborhood Enhancement Plan. The Neighborhood Enhancement Plan shall consist of at least the following elements: