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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2E: Application to Oregon Parks ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Adoption of Resolution 4968 Supporting Application for State of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Local Government Grant Matching Funds for Parks Meeting Date: April 13, 2009 Agenda Item Number: 2E Department: Public Works, Parks and Open Space Staff Contact: Emily Proudfoot www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-4915 ISSUE STATEMENT Public Works Parks and Open Space Planning staff has applied for $210,000 in matching grant funds from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) Local Government Grant program for the City Center SkatePark project. The application requires a council resolution stating support for the project and for the matching funds as part of the application packet. While complete application packets were due on April 3, 2009, OPRD staff agreed to grant a delay in receipt of the signed council resolution as the council was on extended break at the time of application. Application for matching funds received approval of the council IGR committee prior to the application due date and the Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) memo is attached (see Attachment B). The memo contains complete details of overall budget and project scope. BACKGROUND The City Center SkatePark project, proposed to be located under the I-105 Bridge in Washington/Jefferson Park, has been in the active planning stages since May 2008 and was identified as a Priority 1 Project in the PROS Project and Priority Plan adopted by the council in 2006. As a result, the project is also identified in the 2009/2010 CIP for $292,000 in City Parks SDC funding and the current project schedule shows construction starting in February of 2010. Funding is being requested for the City Center SkatePark project which includes planning and construction of the SkatePark, existing restroom removal and replacement, and existing playground removal and replacement. While private community partnerships assure adequate community and grant based fundraising to construct the SkatePark, other moneys have yet to be identified for other essential project components. Any additional funds that can be procured via grants, limited operational funds or from other sources will be essential to realizing the full vision of the redevelopment of this park site. RELATED CITY POLICIES Supporting project documents include: City of Eugene Parks, Recreation and Open Space Project and Priority Plan City of Eugene 2009 Capital Improvement Plan Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M090413\S0904132E.doc COUNCIL OPTIONS The council may pass the resolution or do nothing. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends passage of the motion in support of the grant application that was submitted by the application deadline of April 3, 2009. SUGGESTED MOTION Move to approve Resolution 4968 supporting application for State of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department local government grant matching funds for parks. ATTACHMENTS A. Proposed Resolution B. IGR Committee Memo FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contact: Emily Proudfoot, Landscape Architect Telephone: (541) 682-4915 Staff E-Mail: emily.a.proudfoot@ci.eugene.or.us Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M090413\S0904132E.doc ATTACHMENT A RESOLUTION NO. _________ A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING APPLICATION FOR STATE OF OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT MATCHING FUNDS FOR PARKS. WHEREAS , the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is accepting applications for the Local Government Grant Program; and WHEREAS, the City of Eugene Public Works Department desires to participate in the grant program to the greatest extent possible as a means of providing needed park and recreation acquisitions, improvements and enhancements; and WHEREAS, Public Works staff has identified recreation improvements at Washington Jefferson Park for a City Center Skate Park and associated renovations to be a high priority project with available matching funds from the Parks SDC program to qualify for a State Grant request; and WHEREAS, matching funds would allow the final design to proceed and construction of the recreation improvements to take place in 2010; and WHEREAS, Public Works Department certifies that the matching share for this application has been programmed in the Eugene Capital Improvement Plan, and the Public Works Department will take all reasonable actions to ensure that the matching funds will be available at the time of construction; IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the City of Eugene Public Works Department be authorized to apply for a Local Government Grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for recreation improvements at Washington Jefferson Park as specified above. th The foregoing Resolution adopted this 13 day of April, 2009. ______________________________ City Recorder 00225679.DOC;1 ATTACHMENT B MEMO To: Intergovernmental Relations Committee From: Emily Proudfoot, Landscape Architect 682-4915 Subject: Request for Approval to Submit Application to the 2009 OPRD Local Government Grant Program th Date: March 11, 2009 Background: Public Works Parks and Open Space staff is requesting authority to submit a grant application to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department for funding to construct improvements to Washington/Jefferson Park. The moneys would assist in funding construction of a regional scale skatepark and, as associated projects, removal and replacement of the existing restrooms and replacement of the existing playground. Funding for this particular grant is available statewide through the Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation and is funded by the Oregon State Lottery. This grant program specifically funds acquisition of or improvements to public outdoor park and recreation facilities. Total project improvements are estimated at $892,000 and the project will be phased to accommodate whatever level of funding is achieved. The City of Eugene applied for and was the successful recipient of a $250,000 OPRD grant for the parking lot and overlook construction at Delta Ponds in 2003. That work was completed in 2005 and is now open to the public. The City Center Skatepark project has been in the active planning stages since April of 2008, and is prioritized as a Priority 1 project in the City’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Project and Priority plan adopted by City Council in 2006. The Eugene Skateboarding community has been advocating for such a facility since 2004 when the City went to the public to gather input on what to include in the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan. The public support and enthusiasm that the proposal received resulted in the project achieving Priority 1 status. The park property is owned by the Oregon Department of Transportation and the City leases the property from ODOT. The City has maintained and operated the site as a city park since the early 1970’s. Parks planning staff are working closely with ODOT to ensure their long term bridge maintenance needs are met as the site is reconfigured to accommodate the proposed facilities. The project is also being actively supported by local skateboarders and skateboarding advocates through activities organized and led by Skaters for Eugene SkateParks. Eugene Rotary has recently expressed interest in partnering on project as well. For more information visit the SES website at www.skateeugene.org. Funds Requested: The City would apply for $210,000. The maximum grant available from this program is $750,000. Match Required: The OPRD Local Government Grants program requires at least a 50% local match to qualify for funding which has already been met by the City. Parks and Open Space has committed $292,000 in Park SDC funds toward construction of the project and is working in partnership with Skaters for Eugene SkateParks (SES), a local non-profit, to fundraise an additional $250,000. Additional funds will be solicited from other grant sources and identification of limited but available money from other City funds. Description: The proposed City Center Skatepark is envisioned to be a regional scale facility providing centrally located skateboarding opportunities for local skating enthusiasts of all levels and abilities. The proposed location is the st existing playground site under the I-105 Bridge in Washington Jefferson Park between West 1 and the railroad tracks. The site is both covered and lit, thereby providing year-round skating opportunities in a free public park setting. The scope of the project includes, primarily, the construction of an approximately 18,000 square foot skatepark for which a funding strategy has been identified through dedication of City SDC funds and SES fundraising efforts. Secondary and associated work on the site includes removal and replacement of the existing restroom and construction of a smaller and safer playground to replace the one displaced by the skatepark. Additional moneys will need to be raised or otherwise identified to fulfill construction of the full scope of work and this grant application is one of several efforts on this front. See the attached site plan for additional information about existing and proposed project component locations. The project is anticipated to provide a facility for multiple levels and types of users, from beginning to advanced; from skateboards to roller skaters. The City’s Recreation program has a popular skateboarding instruction program and they are looking forward to being able to program the site for their classes and after-school programs. The facility will likely be a revenue generator for the area if it is programmed for competitions or professional level events. Last but not least, it is expected that the redevelopment of the site in general will help to discourage much of the negative park activity the site now sees, including drug use, drug dealing, homeless camping, etc. rd Time Period: 5:00 p.m. on April 3, 2009 This OPRD Local Government Grant application is due by . Final project selection will be made by OPRD in June; applicants will be notified by August 1st, 2009. If the project is selected and funded, construction must commence within six months and be completed by a mutually agreed upon date between the City and OPRD. Relation to City Priorities: The grant would provide funding towards construction of the City Center SkatePark which is a Priority 1 project in the 2006 Council adopted PROS Project and Priority Plan. The Project and Priority plan is based upon the PROS Comprehensive Plan, completed in 2005. The project is also identified as a funded 2010 project in the Capital Improvement Plan.