TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Kristoff Bauer, ICMA - CM, Deputy City Manager
FROM: Michael Gibson, Parks, Recreation and Maintenance Director
Tracey Broyles, Budget and Evaluation Director
DATE: June 26, 2017
RE:
Title
Authorization to Accept Grant Funding for a Universally-Accessible Sports Field at Massey Hill Recreation Center and Adoption of Capital Project Ordinance Amendment 2017-39
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
District 2
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal 4 - The City of Fayetteville will be a highly desirable place to live, work and recreate with thriving neighborhoods and a high quality of life for its citizens
Executive Summary:
The City has received notification of a grant award from the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation through the Connect North Carolina Bond (CNCB) Grant program. This $250,000 grant will be used in conjunction with parks & recreation bond proceeds and the Baseball Tomorrow grant to support the conversion of the existing baseball field at the Massey Hill Recreation Center to a universally-accessible playing field. Staff is seeking authorization to accept the grant award and adoption of Capital Project Ordinance Amendment 2017-39 to appropriate the grant funding.
Background:
In March 2016 voters approved a $35 million parks and recreation bond referendum. Among the proposed projects included in that referendum were upgrades to seven existing parks. The park at the Massey Hill Recreation Center was included as one of the seven parks proposed for upgrades. This facility is currently home to our Buddy Sports Program, which offers inclusive play for children with disabilities for sports including flag football, baseball, soccer and basketball.
The baseball field at the Massey Hill Recreation Center has been hosting Buddy Baseball practices and games with a rubberized surface covering the infield baselines. This temporary surface provides minimal access to the field of play for individuals with mobility impairments and greater access is needed.
Also, in March 2016, voters approved the Connect North Carolina Bond (CNCB) grant program, a state-wide bond package including $3 million for parks and recreation grants to benefit children and/or veterans with physical and developmental disabilities. As an eligible local government unit, the City applied for funding in November, 2016. Representatives of the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) Authority came to Fayetteville in February, 2017, to visit the project site and receive additional information from City staff. In early March, 2016, the PARTF Authority met to determine grant awards.
On May 15, 2017, staff received the fully executed documents from the State of North Carolina authorizing the grant funding for the full amount requested of $250,000. Staff is asking Council to authorize acceptance of the grant and appropriation of the funds.
Issues/Analysis:
The grant document attached reflects a total cost for this project of $329,144, requiring a local match of $79,144. Staff has since refined the estimates for the planning costs component from $28,872 to $18,000. This represents the cost of site planning, preliminary design and project management. The grantor agency has agreed that the $10,872 reduction in planning and design costs may be applied to other elements of the project.
Additionally, grant terms stipulate that project expenditures must be completed by April 30, 2020.
Budget Impact:
The City’s required match for the CNCB grant is $79,144, and will be met through the $40,000 Baseball Tomorrow grant already appropriated for this project, and planned uses of the $75,000 bond proceeds for the Massey Hill site, including $15,000 for the baseball field improvements, $24,144 identified for walking trails in and around the baseball field and picnic shelters.
Options:
Authorize staff to accept the Connect North Carolina Bond Grant and adopt Capital Project Ordinance Amendment 2017-39 to appropriate the $250,000 grant.
Do not authorize acceptance of the grant or adopt the capital project ordinance amendment.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that Council move to authorize the acceptance of the Connect North Carolina Bond Grant and to adopt Capital Project Ordinance Amendment 2017-39 to appropriate the grant funding.
Attachments:
Connect North Carolina Bond Grant Letter of Agreement
Capital Project Ordinance Amendment 2017-39