Consent 1.G.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 06/09/2014
- TITLE
- Resolution Allocating $10,000 Council Contingency Fund Transfer to Optimist Park Master Plan
- PRESENTED BY:
- Tina Volek
- Department:
- City Hall Administration
Presentation:
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
The South Billings Urban Renewal Association (SBURA) has asked the City Council to fund a master plan for Optimist Park.
Located at Morgan Avenue and Hallowell, Optimist Park is a 16-acre facility with a craft house, a multi-use trail system, playground, basketball courts, restrooms and fields for baseball/softball and soccer/rugby. Although the park has been in operation for many years, its sole plans consist of a pair of maps. Master plans are intended to be documents that control and limit development in accordance with the needs of the community and the limitations and constraints of the park site, as well as planning improvements suited to and appropriate for the park. They involve public comment sessions to ensure the plans meet the needs of the areas they serve.
The City Council created an initiative at its May 12, 2014, meeting to use the balance of its Fiscal Year 2014 (FY '14)
Council Contingency Fund for two projects. They are a $25,000 contribution to the High Sierra Park disc golf course and the balance of the funds ($10,000) to be given to Optimist Park. This will not be enough to complete a master plan for Optimist, which would cost about $40,000, but it is hoped donations can be found to assist with the project.
Staff also is recommending that the $10,000 be carried into the Parks, Recreation & Public Lands FY'15 budget so that, if additional funding can be found, the plan can be developed in a thoughtful manner that allows adequate public comment.
Located at Morgan Avenue and Hallowell, Optimist Park is a 16-acre facility with a craft house, a multi-use trail system, playground, basketball courts, restrooms and fields for baseball/softball and soccer/rugby. Although the park has been in operation for many years, its sole plans consist of a pair of maps. Master plans are intended to be documents that control and limit development in accordance with the needs of the community and the limitations and constraints of the park site, as well as planning improvements suited to and appropriate for the park. They involve public comment sessions to ensure the plans meet the needs of the areas they serve.
The City Council created an initiative at its May 12, 2014, meeting to use the balance of its Fiscal Year 2014 (FY '14)
Council Contingency Fund for two projects. They are a $25,000 contribution to the High Sierra Park disc golf course and the balance of the funds ($10,000) to be given to Optimist Park. This will not be enough to complete a master plan for Optimist, which would cost about $40,000, but it is hoped donations can be found to assist with the project.
Staff also is recommending that the $10,000 be carried into the Parks, Recreation & Public Lands FY'15 budget so that, if additional funding can be found, the plan can be developed in a thoughtful manner that allows adequate public comment.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
The Council may:
- Approve a transfer of $10,000 from the FY '14 Council Contingency Fund to the PRPL FY '15 Fund to help pay for an Optimist Park Master plan;
- Approve the transfer of a different amount; or
- Deny the transfer and wait for another budget year to help fund the Optimist Park Master Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
If the transfer is not approved, the balance of the Council Contingency Fund will roll back into General Fund reserves at the June 30 end of FY '14. The Optimist Park Master Plan project then will have to be delayed or funded completely from another source.
If the transfer is approved, the project still will require another $18,000 to $20,000, which will have to be raised elsewhere in FY '15.
If the transfer is approved, the project still will require another $18,000 to $20,000, which will have to be raised elsewhere in FY '15.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of a resolution transferring $10,000 from the FY '14 Council Contingency Fund to the PRPL FY '15 fund to help pay for an Optimist Park Master Plan.