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<br /> <br />ECC <br />UGENE ITY OUNCIL <br />AIS <br />GENDA TEM UMMARY <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Action: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Grant Application for Acquisition of <br />Ridgeline Trail Property <br /> <br /> <br />Meeting Date: October 8, 2007 Agenda Item Number: 6 <br />Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Carolyn Weiss <br />www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-4909 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />ISSUE STATEMENT <br /> <br />The Intergovernmental Relations Committee was not unanimous on the approval of a grant application <br />to the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for Ridgeline Trail property acquisition. As such, the <br />issue is referred to the City Council for a final decision. <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br /> <br />On August 22, 2007, the Intergovernmental Relations Committee authorized a grant proposal to the <br />Oregon Department of Forestry for funding from the United States Forest Service, Forest Legacy <br />nd <br />Program. The request was for the 2 phase of funding in an ongoing acquisition program for the <br />Ridgeline Trail corridor. The request was based on a 25% City match that would have committed up to <br />$1,678,750 in City funds. These funds would come from the 2006 Parks and Open Space bond measure <br />and potentially system development charge funds. <br /> <br />Following additional conversations with Forest Legacy Program personnel, City staff learned that the <br />Forest Legacy Program application would be more competitive if a 50% match is proposed, as opposed <br />to the minimum 25% match. Therefore, City staff proposes that the Forest Legacy match be increased <br />to 50% and offset the extra cost to the City by applying for an additional grant from the Oregon <br />Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB). <br /> <br />The funding proposal for the total anticipated costs of $4,415,000 is as follows: <br />25% - from the City of Eugene = $1,103,750 <br />25% - from the OWEB grant = $1,103,750 <br />50% - from the Forest Legacy Program = $2,207,500 <br /> <br />It should be noted that if the Forest Legacy funding is granted and the OWEB funding is not granted, the <br />City’s options would be to: 1) determine if other matching funds could be found; 2) increase the City’s <br />match to the full 50% of $2,207,500; or 3) withdraw the request to Forest Legacy. If Forest Legacy <br />funding is not granted, but the OWEB funding is, the City would need to determine if other matching <br />funds could be sought to purchase the parcels, or withdraw the request to OWEB. <br /> <br /> <br /> L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M071008\S0710086.doc <br /> <br />