Title
Resolution to Amend the FY08 Parks & Recreation Services Budget and Appropriate Funds for Stormwater Educational Activities ($85,000.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
Your approval is requested to amend the FY08 Parks & Recreation Services budget by accepting and appropriating funds ($85,000.00) as reimbursement for activities and education provided by Parks & Recreation for the benefit of the stormwater system.
As part of the roll-out of the new stormwater rate system, the Stormwater Utility has been looking for opportunities to educate the public about stormwater issues. These issues include, but are not limited to: education about the new rate system, opportunities to reduce stormwater payments through practices such as rain gardens and rain barrels, and broader watershed issues.
One such opportunity has been found with Parks and Recreation. For a number of years, Parks and Recreation Services has been conducting activities that are beneficial to the stormwater system. These activities range from hosting stormwater features at Olson Park and educational signs about these features to activities conducted by the Natural Area Preservation Unit, such as rain garden workshops and wetland surveys.
As part of an effort to increase awareness about the stormwater system, Parks is proposing to expand its stormwater education. New initiatives will include increased outdoor signage at targeted parks, brochure displays next to customer counters, and working rain barrels and rain gardens at targeted locations.
In exchange for these educational efforts, the Stormwater Utility is proposing to pay Parks and Recreation $85,000.00 in fiscal year 07/08. Funding is available in the FY08 Stormwater System operations & maintenance budget. Future initiatives and the funding for these initiatives will be budgeted in the appropriate operations and maintenance budgets of the affected funds.
Staff
Prepared by: Tom McMurtrie, Systems Planning Unit
Reviewed by: Sue F. McCormick, Public Services Area Administrator
Body
Whereas, Parks and Recreation Services has historically been providing educational activities that benefit the City's stormwater system;
Whereas, Parks and Recreation is now proposing to expand stormwater educational activities as part of an agreement with the Stormwater Utility;
Whereas, The City's Stormwater Utility will benefit from educational activities that educate the public about stormwater, as well as broader watershed issues;
Whereas, The Stormwater Utility is proposing to pay $85,000.00 during fiscal year 07/08 for these stormwater educational activities; and
Whereas, $85,000.00 is available in the approved FY08 operations & maintenance budget of the Stormwater system;
RESOLVED, That the FY08 Parks and Recreation budget be amended to include the $85,000.00;
RESOLVED, That these funds ($85,000.00) be appropriated to Parks and Recreation Services FY08 operations & maintenance budget; and
RESOLVED, That City Council authorizes the City Administrator to take necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.