The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About10191RESOLUTION NO. 10191 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PUEBLO TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE MINNEQUA LAKE PARK AND OPEN SPACE PROJECT TO THE STATE BOARD OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO TRUST FUND, AND AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL TO EXECUTE SAME WHEREAS, City Council supports and authorizes the submittal of a grant application for the Minnequa Lake Park and Open Space Project for the purposes of the acquisition and development of a park, open space and regional storm water facility; and BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, COLORADO, that: SECTION 1. The President of the City Council is hereby authorized to execute and deliver the grant application for the Minnequa Lake Park and Open Space Project on behalf of the City of Pueblo, a Municipal Corporation, to the State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund, and the City Clerk shall affix the seal of the City thereto and attest same. SECTION 2_ The grant application is requesting $3.0 million dollars from GOCO over a three -year period between 2005 and 2007. If the grant is awarded, up to $750,000 as cash match in the City's 2005 budget and $2,275,000 in local matching funds would need to be budgeted and appropriated towards a total project cost of $6.0 million dollars by City Council prior to approving a grant contract between the City and LOCO. SECTION 3 A copy of the grant application is attached hereto and is on file at the City of Pueblo's Department of Planning. INTRODUCED July 26, 2004 BY Ray Aquilera Councilperson RLSO . - a - lot 9 ED Background Paper for Proposed RESOLUTION AGENDA ITEM # 15 DATE: JULY 26, 2004 DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT /JIM MUNCH PLANNING DEPARTMENTMIM MUNCH TITLE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PUEBLO TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE MINNEQUA LAKE PARK AND OPEN SPACE PROJECT TO THE STATE BOARD OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO TRUST FUND, AND AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL TO EXECUTE SAME [FTIM Should the City Council agree to submit a grant application to the State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund (GOCO) to assist in funding the Minnequa Lake Park and Open Space Project for a park and regional stormwater facility? RECOMMENDATION Approval of the Resolution. MKGROUND A grant application for the Minnequa Lake Park and Open Space Project has been prepared by the City of Pueblo identifying potential funding in the amount of $3.0 million from GOCO for the Minnequa Lake Park and Open Space Project. The total project is estimated to cost $6.0 million and includes the acquisition of land and water rights, and development of park and open space areas that will be integrated into a regional storm water facility. GOCO has only invited 22, out of the 67 projects, to submit full grant applications based on their May 04 Concept Papers. The GOCO Board has indicated that up to $60 million dollars will be provided to selected projects over a three year time period. Since GOCO is making available such a significant amount of funds for this grant cycle, the City staff has prepared a grant application that includes both the acquisition of the property (Phase 1) and the development of the park and open space areas (Phase 2) in the concept paper. The Minnequa Lake Park and Open Space Project includes the purchase of 243 acres of property, including Minnequa Lake, and associated water rights. The water rights are necessary to store water, cover the evaporative loss from the lake and for irrigating the developed park areas. In addition, the project includes water quality and habitat improvements around the lake, and park improvements that extend onto the 50 acres south of the lake already owned by the City. These improvements will be integrated into a multi -use park, open space and regional storm water and water quality improvement facility. The combining of the park areas with a regional storm water facility allows for the pooling of the City's financial resources in a way that could provide a significant saving of the community s tax dollars. The City received a $45,000 planning grant from GOCO in April, 2004 to assist in preparing a master plan for the project. Since the City is just beginning the park and open space master plan, the grant application includes park infrastructure improvements for general park development. Specific park features will be finalized at the time the park master plan is completed in 2005. FINANCIAL IMPACT GOCO has indicated their board will approve the funding for grant applications in December, 2004. If GOCO approves this grant application, the final amount of funding could be in a range of $1.5 to $3.0 million based on the City's past experience with large -scale projects funded by GOCO. The City will require the entire amount of the project funds, up to $6 million to be budgeted and appropriated prior to approving the grant agreement. The $6 million includes up to $725,000 cash match of City funds from available funding sources including Conservation Trust Funds, General Funds, and Stormwater Utility Funds (portion of value related to temporary storage of water in lake), and $2,275,000 in local matching funds. The final amount of funds that would need to be budgeted and appropriated will be based on the amount of the grant from GOCO and the total project budget included in a project grant agreement between the City and GOCO. The matching funds for the project would be provided from a variety of funding sources including a possible federal appropriation, private and other federal grants, Historic Preservation Funds, and water conservancy district funding. A project budget is included in the attached Grant Application Summary. If the City does not acquire Minnequa Lake soon there is strong possibility that the property will be sold in a piecemeal fashion by the CF &I resulting in a lost opportunity for the City to acquire the property for use as a stormwater /water quality facility and a park and open space area. The Lake Minnequa Master Storm Drainage and Financing Plan completed by Sellards & Griggs, Inc. in June, 1975 identifies the cost for the construction of the Freeway Outfall which is the stormwater system from Minnequa Lake to the outfall into the Arkansas River. The financing plan identifies an estimated cost of $13,019,000 (converted from 1975 dollar figures to 2003 dollar figures) for the Freeway Outfall stormwater system which utilizes a large stormwater pipe system that would not utilize Minnequa Lake for additional water storage. The study identifies a graduated cost savings for each additional foot of stormwater storage, if Minnequa Lake was used to capture the stormwater and gradually release the water through a smaller pipe system. The estimated costs savings of utilizing Minnequa Lake for detention storage is shown in the table below: Cost Saving Reserve Available, Ft. Reserve in Acre -Ft. $2,091,000 2 Ft. 260 $2,917,000 3 Ft. 390 $4,778,000 4 Ft. 520 $6,627 5 Ft. 650 Summary Information 1. Project Title: Minnequa Lake Park and Open Space Project 2. Primary Applicant (must be an eligible recipient of GOCO funds): CITY OF PUEBLO, COLORADO Contact Name: James F. Munch Title: Assistant City Manger for Community Development Telephone #: (719) 553 -2242 Fax #: (719) 553 -2359 Address: 1 City Hall Place, Pueblo, CO 81003 Project Coordinator: Scott Hobson Title: Senior Planner Telephone #: (719) 553 -2244 Fax #: (719) 553 -2359 Attach information about the project coordinator, if the coordinator will be different from the primary applicant. 3. Project Partner(s): Lower Arkansas Water Conservancy District, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Pueblo County, Colorado State Parks, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Pueblo Board of Water Works, Bessemer Association for Neighborhood Development, Arkansas Valley Audubon Society, Friends of the River Trails, Colorado Department of Transportation Please attach a list of names, contacts/titles, telephonel&Ve -mail #s, and addresses identifying all project partners. 4. Project Location (County /Counties): Pueblo County, Colorado List each county the project will benefit, or if the project will have a statewide impact, please indicate so. 5. Project Funding Summary: Sources: Uses /Costs: Grant Request: $ 3,000,000 Applicant (cash): $ 725,000 Development Costs: $ 4,000,000 Applicant (in- kind): $ Other Costs: $ 2,000,000 Total Partner (cash): $ 2,275,000 Total Project Cost $ 6,000,000 Total Partner (in- kind): $ Donated Land (if any): $ Total Sources: $ 6,000,000 Total Project Value $ 6,000,000 You will find it easier to complete this section if you have first completed the project budget. 5. Certification and Authorized Signature: I certify that I am authorized to sign on behalf of the primary applicant and project partners, and on their behalf, I certify that if awarded a grant for this project, the applicant and all partners will comply with GOCO's requirements for grant ministration, including matching, due diligence, and general requirements. Li Randy Thurston. President of City CouncilDate: 7-27 -2004 An authorize a son must sign here, such as the applicant's executive director, county commission chairperson, or city council thairperson. MINNEQUA LAKE PARK AND OPEN SPACE PROJECT SOURCES AND TIMING OF FUNDING SOURCES OF FUNDS Use of Funds Date Secured Unsecured Funds Request Date Funding Notification Funding Availability Total CASH GOCO Funds Land Acquisition, Habitat, Trails, (GOCO Funds continued) Park Improvements R Au ust -04 December -04 March -05 $3,000,000 Lower Ark. Water Conserv. Water Rights (see Note 1) X August-04 November -04 March -05 $600,000 Fishing Is Fun (administered by Habitat, Trails, Park Improvements X March-05 June -05 April 06 $150,000 the Colorado Division of Wildlife) U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Habitat, Welland Creation X March -05 June -05 $300,000 (North American Wetlands Act Funds) City of Pueblo (see Note 2) Land Acquisition, Water Rights, (City funds continued) Habitat, Trails, Park Improvements X August 04 December -04 January-05 $725,000 Section 319(H) Funds (water quality Welland Creation, Water Quality X January-05 April-0 September-05 $135,000 funds administered by the State Dept. of public Health & Environment) Econonic Develop. Initative (not city CDBG funds) Park Improvements X March -05 October -05 January-05 $350,000 (funds from U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development) Colorado Dept. of Trans. Bike/Pedestrian Trails X March -05 September-05 February- $120,000 State Trails Program Trails/frailheads (not GOCO funds) X November -04 June -05 Se ember -05 $80,000 Pueblo County Park Irnproventents X August 04 December-04 January-05 $200,000 Private Donors (see Note 3) Park Improvements X October -04 January-05 April-05 $300,000 IN-KIND (itemize) CO Division of Wildlife Stocking Fish, Habitat August-04 $10,000 Concerned Parents Habitat August-04 $20,000 Arkansas Valley Audubon Habitat August- $10,000 Total Funds $6 880,000 Notes: 1. The Lower Arkansas River Water Conservancy District can not commit funding prior to an analysis of the water rights including the irrigation and storage rights. They will evaluate whether to purchase some or all of the water and storage rights, and establishing a water use agreement with the City of Pueblo. 2. The Pueblo City Council legally can not commit funding beyond its current fiscal year. The City's cash contribution to the project will be approved as part of the FY2005 city budget. Ciry funds could be provided from a variety of funding sources inicuding Conservation Trust Funds, General Funds, and Stormwater Utility Funds, etc. 3. The City and project partners will be requesting funding from private sources including the CF& 1 Foundation, Packard Foundation, El Pomar Foundation, Christmas Foundation, Christmas Foundation, and the Robert H. Rawlings Foundation NIINNEQUA LAKE PARK AND OPEN SPACE PROJECT "PROJECT WORKPLAN AND TIMELINE" March 2005 through December 2007 TASK Negotiate Terms DESCRIPTION OF TASK Complete draft purchase agreement between City and property owner including price and terms. Complete due diligence requirements including conservation easement for open space funded areas, appraisal (completed with funding from planning grant), phase 1 environmental review (if needed), title commitment. Review with GOCO staff and clear any title, conveyance, and environmental issues. Approval of purchase agreement by City Council. Complete closing. Complete draft purchase agreement between City and/or Lower Ark. Valley Water Consrv. District and owner of water rights. Complete due diligence including appraisal (completed with funding from planning grant),. Review with LOCO staff and clear any water rights issues. Approval of agreement by City Council. Corn late closin . Remove tamarisk and other non -native invasive plants from shorelines and upland areas RESPONSIBLE PARTY City of Pueblo City of Pueblo and possibly the Lower Arkansas Water Conservancy District City of Pueblo hired Contractor COMPLETION DATE September 2005 September 2005 March 2006 Purchase Contract Approval by City Council Closing Negotiate Terns Purchase Agmment Approval by City Council Closine Non -Native Plant Removal - Bid & Construct Stock Lake With Fish Stock lake with warn water fish species could including: yellow perch, small mouth bass, largemouth bass, bluegill and green sunfish Colorado Division of Wildlife — in -kind April 2006 and April 2007 Dredge lake Bottom Excavate and deepen lake - integrated with storm water improvements — use excavated material to fill areas that will be improved as general park and specialized outdoor park facilities City of Pueblo hired Contractor August 2006 - Bid & Construct Sceical Habitat Features Islands, nest boxes, isolated wetlands, preserve existing nest trees for birds, cattail marshes, brush piles City of Pueblo - hired Contractor w /in -kind from Audubon Society August 21X16 - Bid & Construct Wetland Enhancement • Create and enhance wetlands along the shoreline, at stormwater and ditch inlets to the reservoir, and at groundwater seeps. Integrate with storm water and other water quality improvements. Plant species under consideration include: common spike -nrsh, arctic rush, broadleaf cattail, smart weed, bladderworL and W= i City of Pueblo - hired Contractor w /in -kind from Concerned Parents of Pueblo September 21X16 - Bid & Construct Shoreline Vegetation • Plant shorelines with peach leaf willows, bulrushes, common spike -rush, arctic rush, switch grass, native shrubs, Nebraska sedge, Canada goldenrod Construct access roads, parking areas, parking area lighting, landscaping of parking areas City of Pueblo hired Contractor City of Pueblo hired Contractor September 2006 February 2007 Bid & Construct Parkin Access - Bid & Construct General Park Features Picnic Shelters, Playground, Benches, Lights, Tables, Restmoms, water, electrical, sanitary sewer services City of Pueblo hired Contractor May 2007 - Bid & Construct Shoreline and Lake Features Facilities identified in the Minnequa Lake Master Plan that could include an shoreline jetty, and boat ramp (non - motorized water craft and motorized emergency and maintenance water craft) City of Pueblo hired Contractor May 2007 - Bid & Construct Shoreline Improvements Wetland boardwalks, handicapped accessible fishing docks, wildlife viewing areas, primitive trails, berms and blinds City of Pueblo hired Contractor August 2007 - Bid & Construct Trails Construct hard surfaced trail within upland areas adjacent to lake connecting to neighborhoods, park facilities, Corwin Middle School, and hospital City of Pueblo hired Contractor August 2007 - Bid & Construct Specialized Outdoor Facilities Sports Fields, Courts, or other outdoor facilities as identified in the Minnequa Lake Master Plan City of Pueblo hired Contractor September 2007 - Bid & Construct Turfgrass Areas Grading, Irrigation System, Soil Preparation and Seeding — Acreage to be determined in the Minnequa Lake Master Plan City of Pueblo hired Contractor September 2007 Bid & Construct ` Source for plants under consideration is the " Native Plant Reveaetation Guide For Colorado CvV*M WSW" I ipri r 01,