Consider approval to authorize submission of Letters of Inquiry to the City of Muskogee Foundation for FY2024-2025 grant cycle for City projects as follows: a) Pickleball Courts at Hatbox $300,000.00; b) Teen Center/YVC Operations $150,000.00; c) City Attorney Juvenile and Adult Community Service Program $100,000.00; d) Coody Creek Trail design, $55,000.00; e) Coody Creek Trail construction, $1,470,000.00; f) River Country Water Park expansion, $2,000,000.00; g) Muskogee Police Department body cameras, $94,000.00, per year for five (5) years; and h) Muskogee Police Department tasers, $161,000.00, per year, for five (5) years, or take other necessary action. (Mike Miller)
BACKGROUND:
$300,000-PICKLEBALL COURTS AT HATBOX
$150,000 - TEEN CENTER/YVC OPERATIONS The Teen Center provides a safe and supervised environment that offers participants a chance to learn new skills, socialize with peers in a positive manner, enjoy recreational activities, and receive homework help and encouragement from caring adults- the Teen Center is filling real needs. It is centrally located in the Old Amory Building on Callahan St. Our programming offers a full gym for basketball, volleyball and futsol (indoor soccer), a weight room with fixed weights and cardio equipment, a six station computer lab, and game room with video games, air hockey, and pool and ping pong tables. The Youth Volunteer Corps of Muskogee offers volunteer opportunities for teen participants for civic engagement, leadership and skill building. Through our collaboration with MPS, members may ride the bus from Alice Robertson, Muskogee High School, Rougher Alternative Academy or Sadler Elementary School. Neighborhood youth walk or ride bikes and others are dropped off by parents, siblings or may even drive themselves. We are open every afternoon from 3-7 p.m. and offer extended hours for special events or when school is not in session.
YVC/Teen Center
Total request for 24/25 FY is $150,000.
$100,000 CITY ATTORNEY
The City Attorney's Office is re-applying for funding to continue to operate an adult and juvenile community service program for those who have been criminally charged and adjudicated through our municipal court program.
Over the years, the community service program has been managed by the City Attorney's office and the juvenile program has been operated by Muskogee County Council on Youth Services with funding provided by the foundation. Statistically, there are generally thirty (30) new juvenile cases filed in our court per month. On either a plea or finding of guilty, the juvenile is assessed a range of sixteen (16) to fifty-six (56) hours of community service depending on the nature of the charge. These hours must be completed before the juvenile is released from court supervision. The Municipal Court Judge, has ordered that community service hours for adults may be credit toward fines at the rate of $15 per hour. This year we have included allowing offenders to get out of jail that are there on municipal fines. They are in jail because of the inability to pay their fines. By allowing them to participate in community service, it is allowing the jail additional needed space for other uses, provides the inmate with credits for 2 days for each 1 day served. This has allowed a significant increase in participation. We believe this will have a substantial impact on community beautification and revitalization. Unfortunately, for approximately the last 8 or so months, we have not been permitted to check out inmates. This is due in part because of the pandemic and due to influx of contraband into the jail. We are confident that we will be able to restart inmate check out in the coming year. The Juvenile program has been run for 8 full years with great success. The adult program has been operational for 10 years and appears to be of great benefit.
$55,000-COODY CREEK TRAIL DESIGN Required local match towards the design of the ODOT approved TAP grant award of $220,000.
$1,470,000-COODY CREEK TRAIL CONSTRUCTION This proposed trail project extends the Muskogee Centennial Trail and connects into the proposed Gulick St. Trail. The proposed trail will follow Coody Creek and portions of a utility easement. The land on which the trail will be constructed was purchased by the City of Muskogee in the 1970s for the purpose of creating the trail proposed here. The trail will consist of a 10-foot-wide, ADA compliant, shared use asphalt path.
The ultimate goal of the project is to extend the existing citywide trail network to an area that currently lacks access to trails or dedicated active transportation facilities. Project beneficiaries will be residents in low income neighborhoods which surround the proposed project site. These adversely-impacted, diverse members of the community will gain new opportunities for active transportation and connections to downtown services, shopping and amenities.
$2,000,000-RIVER COUNTRY WATER PARK EXPANSION
$94,000 PER YEAR FOR FIVE (5) YEARS- MUSKOGEE POLICE DEPARTMENT BODY CAMERAS The City of Muskogee Police Department submits this Letter of Intent for funding to sustain its Body Worn Camera Program. These cameras are used to further the mission of the Muskogee Police Department, which is to "enhance the quality of life and lessen the fears of all citizens." The video that is recorded from these cameras ensures transparency for the Police Department and is priceless in ensuring trust between the Department and our citizens.
$161,100 PER YEAR FOR FIVE (5) YEARS - MUSKOGEE POLICE DEPARTMENT TASERS
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve request to submit Letters of Intent to the City of Muskogee Foundation.