Title
Resolution for City's Commitment of Funding for the Project at 721 North Main and Appropriation of Funds (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
In 1981, the City recognized the public benefits for an Allen Creek Greenway by including the idea in the Plan for Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces.
City Council on August 4, 2011, through Resolution R-11-325, indicated full support of the creation of the Allen Creek Greenway and directed continued work and assistance to the Allen Creek Greenway Conservancy during the Greenway development and implementation phases.
On May 7, 2012, City Council appointed the North Main Huron River Corridor Vision Task Force ("Task Force"). One of the tasks for the Task Force is to provide recommendation to City Council about the best use of the City owned property at 721 N. Main. The Task Force has recommended so far that the floodway portion of the 721 N. Main be developed to include walking and biking paths to form the first component of the Greenway encouraging future connections beyond the site limits to the Washtenaw County Border-to-Border Trail and other parts of the Greenway. Storm water features, native plantings, and interpretive signage are also proposed for the project. The Task Force shared these recommendations with City Council in December 2012. The estimated cost for the project is $1.2M. Subsequently, the City applied for following grants for this project:
Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Connecting Communities (WCPRCC)
MDNR Trust Fund (MDNRTF)
SEMCOG/MDOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)
As these grants have specific objectives and criteria, City's request for each of these grants include only project elements that could be funded by a specific grant.
To date City has been able to secure WCPRCC grant in the amount of $150K contingent upon successful receipt of a MDNRTF grant. Results of MDNRTF and TAP grants are anticipated in Fall 2013.
Currently identified funding sources for the project are:
WCPRCC grant $150,000.00
MDNRTF grant $300,000.00
TAP grant $600,000.00
Stormwater Fund $150,000.00
For MDNR to consider City's grant application, it requires a council resolution that states City commitment to provide the necessary funding for the project in case funding from identified sources other than MDNRTF grant does not materialize. Hence, City needs to show its commitment to fund the total amount equal to WCPRCC and TAP grants ($150,000+$600,000 = $750,000). Therefore, the attached resolution, which specifically states Council commitment for funding up to $750,000.00 from the General Fund reserves for the project in case envisioned grant funding other than MDNRTF does not materialize.
Staff
Prepared by: Sumedh Bahl, Community Services Area Administrator
Reviewed by: Tom Crawford, Financial and Administrative Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Sponsored by: Mayor Hieftje and Councilmembers Briere, Higgins, Warpehoski and Anglin
Body
Whereas, the City first recognized the idea for an Allen Creek Greenway in the July 1981 Plan for Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces,
Whereas, on August 5, 2005, City Council passed resolution R-258-6-05 "Resolution to Create a Task Force to Plan a New Greenway
Whereas, City Council on August 4, 2011 approved Resolution R-11-325 fully supportive of the creation of the Allen Creek Greenway and directed continued work and assistance to the Allen Creek Greenway Conservancy during the Greenway development and implementation phases;
Whereas, City Council created a North Main Huron River Vision Task Force ("Task Force") in May 2012;
Whereas, One of the charges for the Task Force is to provide recommendation for the best use of the City owned parcel at 721 N. Main;
Whereas, The Task Force recommended to the City Council the use of the floodway portion of 721 N. Main and the conceptual design for this portion in December 2012;
Whereas, Cost of the improvements proposed by the Task Force for the floodway portion of 721 N. Main is estimated to be $1,200,000.00;
Whereas, City has applied for three grants for a total amount of $1,050,000.00 for the said improvements at 721 N. Main;
Whereas, Stormwater Fund will provide $150,000.00 for the project's stormwater improvements;
Whereas, One of the grant applications in the amount of $300,000.00 (maximum granted amount) is to the MDNR Trust Fund;
Whereas, MDNR Trust Fund requires for it to consider City's application that City submit a Council approved resolution indicating that the City will fund the project if grants other than MDNR Trust Fund grant do not materialize;
RESOLVED, That the City Council accepts and appropriates General Fund reserves not to exceed $750,000.00 to the Major Grant Fund (Fund 00MG) and that the funds be made available without regard to fiscal year for the floodway portion of the 721 N. Main project for the difference in the project budget and funding from other sources.
Sponsored by: Mayor Hieftje and Councilmembers Briere, Higgins, Warpehoski and Anglin