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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3H: Resolution Authorizing PW/POS Staff Application to OPRD's Local Government Grant Program for WJ Skatepark ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing Public Works/Parks and Open Space Staff Application to Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s Local Government Grant Program for Washington-Jefferson Skatepark and Urban Plaza Meeting Date: April 8, 20013 Agenda Item Number: 3H Department: Public Works, Parks and Open Space Staff Contact: Neil Bjorklund www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-4909 ISSUE STATEMENT Public Works Parks and Open Space Planning staff plans to apply for $122,000 in matching grant funds from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s (OPRD) Local Government Grant Program for the Washinton-Jefferson (WJ) Skatepark and Urban Plaza project. The application requires a council resolution stating support for the project and the matching funds as part of the packet. The application is due on Wednesday, April 12, 2013, and this short timeline, together with the motion unanimously passed by the council in support of the project on October 24, 2012, are the reasons this has been placed on the council’s consent calendar. The City’s IGR Committee reviewed and approved this request on April 3, 2013. BACKGROUND The WJ Skatepark and Urban Plaza project, will be located under the I-105 Bridge in Washington- Jefferson Park, as identified in the PROS Project and Priority Plan adopted by the council in 2006, where it is a Priority 1 Project. As a result, the project was identified in the 2009/2010 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for $292,000 in City Parks Systems Development Charges (SDC) funding and in October 2012 the council directed staff to proceed with the project, and to submit a supplemental budget request to appropriate additional capital funds. OPRD Local Government Grant funding is being requested for the final phase of the WJ Skatepark and Urban Plaza project which includes construction of key connecting facilities and infrastructure, such as entry paths, bike racks, drinking fountains, benches, an emergency call box, and other essential site elements. While staff continues to coordinate and support private community partnerships to raise funds for the skatepark, these grant funds, if awarded to the project, will relieve pressure on the City’s partners for raising funds in a very difficult economy. S:\CMO\2013 Council Agendas\M130408\S1304083H.doc RELATED CITY POLICIES Council approved documents that provided direction for pursuing this project include the City of Eugene Parks, Recreation and Open Space Project and Priority Plan, and the City of Eugene 2010- 2015 Capital Improvement Plan. COUNCIL OPTIONS 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 will be submitted by the application deadline of April 12, 2013. SUGGESTED MOTION I move to adopt Resolution 5085, authorizing application for State of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Local Government Grant funds for construction of skatepark-related facilities at Washington-Jefferson Park. ATTACHMENTS A. Proposed Resolution B. IGR Committee Memo FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contact: Neil Bjӧrklund, Parks and Open Space Planning Manager Telephone: 541-682-4909 Staff E-Mail: neil.h.bjorklund@ci.eugene.or.us S:\CMO\2013 Council Agendas\M130408\S1304083H.doc ATTACHMENT A RESOLUTION NO. xxxx A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR STATE OF OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SKATEPARK-RELATED FACILITIES AT WASHINGTON-JEFFERSON PARK 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, the Eugene City Council has identified development of a Skatepark and related facilities at Washington-Jefferson Park as a high priority need in the City of Eugene in the 2006 Parks Recreation and Open Space Project and Priority Plan; and WHEREAS, the Eugene City Council unanimously passed a motion on October 24, 2012 directing staff to proceed with construction of a new Skatepark in Washington-Jefferson Park in 2013; and WHEREAS , the City of Eugene has available local matching funds to fulfill its share of obligation related to this grant application should the grant funds be awarded; and WHEREAS, Local Government Grant funds would allow the construction of the recreation improvements to take place in 2013; and WHEREAS , City of Eugene Public Works Department will proved adequate funding for on- going operations and maintenance of this park and recreation facility should the grant funds be awarded; IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Eugene City Council demonstrates its support and authorizes the City of Eugene Public Works Department 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 8 day of April, 2013. , City Recorder Memorandum Date: April 2, 2013 To: Intergovernmental Relations Committee From: Neil Bjorklund, Parks and Open Space Planning Manager Subject: Oregon Parks & Recreation Department Grant Application For Construction of WJ Skatepark and Urban Plaza Related Site Elements Source/Purpose: Public Works staff requests the authority to submit a grant application to the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department (OPRD) – Local Government Grants program for funding to construct improvements to Washington Jefferson Park. The grant funding would support construction of the WJ Skatepark + Urban Plaza, including the rehabilitation of many of the utilities, paths and landscaping surround the actual skatepark. Funding for this particular grant program is available statewide through the ORPD and is funded through the Oregon State Lottery. This grant program specifically funds acquisition of, or improvements to, public outdoor park and recreation facilities. Funds Requested: $122,000 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. The City’s original appropriation of $292,000 in Park SDC funds toward construction of the project exceeds the required match for this grant. POS is processing a Supplemental Budget request to appropriate additional Park SDC funds and is working in partnership with Eugene Parks Foundation, Skaters for Eugene Skateparks (SES) and the Downtown Rotary club with a goal of raising a total of $225,000 in private donations. With these additional funds, the City and private funding contributions will be several times the amount of the grant request. Description: The WJ Skatepark + Urban Plaza will be a regional scale facility providing centrally located skateboarding and recreation opportunities for neighbors, community members and wheeled sport enthusiasts of all levels and abilities. The location of the future park site is under the I-105 Bridge in st Washington Jefferson Park between West 1 and the railroad tracks. The Skatepark will be both covered and lit to provide year-round recreation and recreation opportunities in a free public park setting. The scope of the project includes construction of a 23,000 square foot skatepark, upgrades to the outdated park infrastructure framework and rehabilitation of the park’s paths and landscaping to make for the most accessible and safe environment possible. The project will provide a much needed facility for multiple levels and types of users, from beginning to advanced; from skateboards to roller skates. This facility will also provide recreation opportunities for non- skaters as well with the enhancements to the paths and the building of an urban plaza that will facilitate small to large events; from parents and friends spectating to multi-million dollar skate competitions. The facility will likely be a revenue generator when programmed to its full extent. It is also expected that the redevelopment of this site will help discourage much of the negative activity this park now sees, and bring a new mix of people to the park. The grant funding from OPRD will specifically support the last phase of construction, which includes the urban plaza and viewing area, connecting paths, vendor pads, site furnishings such as bike racks and drinking fountains, security features and other integral elements that will make the skatepark accessible and usable to a broad spectrum of park users. Time Period: This OPRD grant is due by 5:00 pm on April 12, 2013. We plan on submitting the grant electronically on April 10, 2013. Final project selection will be made by OPRD in June. Applicants will be notified in early August 2013. Relation to City Priorities: The grant would provide funding towards construction of major improvements to Washington Jefferson Park including the WJ Skatepark + Urban Plaza 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 identified as a funded 2011 project in the 2010-2015 Capital Improvement Plan. On October 24, 2012, the Council unanimously approved a motion directing staff to proceed with construction of all four phases of the project in 2013, with additional private fundraising support, and additional Park SDC funding.