City of Oak Creek
Common Council Report
Meeting Date: April 3, 2006
Item No.:
Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution No. 10622-040306, authorizing staff to apply to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for park acquisition and development project in the adopted Park and Open Space Plan.
Background: The capital improvements program in the adopted parks and open space plan [1] identified the development of Abendschein Park to take place in phases beginning in 2001. The plan identified $595,000 for development costs in each of those years.
For various reasons the development of the City’s only community park was delayed. In 2006, the City’s capital improvements program allocates approximately $750,000 for development based on the site plan that was adopted for the facility (see attachment).
In an effort to leverage that funding, staff is requesting authorization to submit an application to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for grant funding for the acquisition and development of outdoor recreation facilities. Based on the approved Abendschein Park plan, staff is proposing to request financial assistance to consider purchase of a 6.3 acre wooded area adjacent to the park. This area has been identified for park expansion. A second application would be for financial assistance to develop a trail system along the Oak Creek; a project that was also identified in the approved site plan for the park.
If the City is successful in receiving funding from this program, we will be required to provide a fifty percent match. Funds to cover those costs are available through the use of the community park impact fee money, as well as funds that have been budgeted for open space acquisition over the past several years.
The City is not committing to any course of action by virtue of their application for these funds. If the project(s) are funded, the City still has the choice of whether they wish to accept that funding, and the fulfillment of any obligations that are part of that agreement.
Fiscal Impact: There is approximately $750,000 in community park impact fees that are available to fund the City’s 50% match for any grant received. Additional funds of $215,326 are available through the Environmental Corridor Acquisition program.
|
Prepared by:
Doug Seymour, AICP Director of Community Development |
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick DeGrave City Administrator
|
|
Fiscal Review by:
Beverly A. Buretta, CMC City Clerk |
|