Billings Parks and Recreation staff proposes to apply for a Land Water Conservation Funding (LWCF) grant for improvements to the Hawthorne Park Playground.  Part of the application requires Council to approve a resolution authorizing application for LWCF assistance; see Attachment A.  By applying for this grant, the City may be eligible for up to $125,000.  The Hawthorne Park Playground Replacement project was recommended by the Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board and was scheduled to be completed during FY16 as part of the City Wide Park  Maintenance District (PMD 1) .  The PMD 1 budget is $150,000 and grant proceeds will be used to add equipment or other upgrades to the playground.  By seeking grant funds to add to the PMD 1 funds already allocated, the play value of the equipment can be significantly enhanced.  The grant has a 50% match requirement, which is met by the City's PMD 1 appropriation.  The grant application deadline is Tuesday, April 15, 2016 but the grant award may be as late as winter of 2017.  Due to this timeframe, the replacement project will be delayed slightly.  As part of the application process, staff contacted stakeholders and surrounding property owners to inform them of the grant opportunity, to solicit letters of support and to receive comments.

City Council may:

• Approve,the resolution authorizing application for LWCF assistance or;
• Disapprove the resolution and provide staff with additional guidance

The PMD 1 budget for this project is $150,000.  If the City is awarded a $125,000 LWCF grant, those funds will be used to purchase additional improvements and upgrades to the Hawthorne Park Playground. 

Staff recommends that the City Council approve the resolution authorizing application for LWCF funding to improve the Hawthorne Park Playground.