Council Communication Office of the City Manager	Date	March 12, 2007
	Agenda Item No. 52 Roll Call No. 07- Communication No. 07-145 Submitted by: Donald M. Tripp, Park and Recreation

AGENDA HEADING:

Approving items related to improvements at Evelyn K. Davis Park: (A) Acceptance of $130,000 Community Attraction and Tourism Program (CAT) grant award with conditions and funding commitment, and (B) Approval of CAT Agreement number 07-CAT-031.

SYNOPSIS:

Recommend approval to accept a $130,000 Vision Iowa Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant award for the Evelyn K. Davis Park Improvements Project. This action will also authorize the execution and delivery of the Agreement and such other documents as the Vision Iowa Board or its legal counsel may reasonably request.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Amount:

$70,000 – City match. This amount includes $50,000 in project funding, which was approved by Council in September 2006, and $20,000 in additional funding. The additional funding is necessary because the CAT grant award is $20,000 less than requested. The CAT grant is planned in the adopted CIP.

Staff anticipates receiving the full $250,000 of other budgeted grants and donations, as detailed below.

The total cost of the park improvements/infrastructure project is $450,000 and will be covered through the following:

• $100,000 - Polk County (Community Development Grant awarded in September 2006).
• $100,000 - Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino
• $50,000 - United Way of Central Iowa
• $130,000 - Vision Iowa CAT Grant (awarded December 2006).
• $70,000 - City match

Funding Source:

$50,000 of the FY 2006-07 Park Improvements CIP was committed to meet the local match requirement for the CAT grant application on September 25, 2006. The remaining $20,000 in funding will be provided through a transfer from the FY 2007-08 CIP, Page Park Improvements-13, Neighborhood Park Improvements, PKS137. If donations and contributions are not available, expenditures in other program areas will be reduced to fund this project.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The Evelyn K. Davis Park Improvements Project involves $450,000 in capital improvements for the park, located at 16th and Forest, in the King Irving Neighborhood. The project was initiated by William Knapp, who gathered financial support from several Des Moines-area agencies to finance the infrastructure enhancements, including $250,000 in grants and commitments from United Way, Polk County and Prairie Meadows. $50,000 of the FY 2006-07 Park Improvements CIP was committed to meet the local match requirement for a CAT grant application, both of which were authorized by the Des Moines City Council on September 25, 2006.

A CAT grant application requesting funding of $150,000 was submitted to the Vision Iowa Board, which awarded the project $130,000 in December 2006. Staff recommends accepting the award and authorizing City funding for the remaining $20,000 so the project can proceed.

The desired outcomes for this project are increased park use and safety. Infrastructure improvements for the project include a half-court basketball court, additional playground equipment, an open-air shelter, picnic tables and grills, lighting, expanded restrooms, landscaping and a walking path. The second project component involves additional park management and operations to increase programming and family-oriented activity in the park. Funding is also planned to increase the police presence at the park. On September 25, 2006, the City Council accepted $425,000 in donations from private individuals to help fund these operating expenses over the next three fiscal years.

It is anticipated that most park capital improvements will be completed in the 2007 calendar year. The CAT Agreement requires project completion by December 31, 2008.

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION(S):

Date: September 25, 2006

Roll Call Number: 06-1932

Action: Acceptance of donations to fund Evelyn K. Davis Park improvements and programs.

(Council Communication No. 06-623) Moved by Vlassis to adopt. Motion passed 6-0.

Date: September 25, 2006

Roll Call Number: 06-1931

Action: Authorization to submit Community Attraction and Tourism Grant application and to reappropriate $50,000 of FY 2006-07 Park and Recreation Department CIP Budget for Evelyn K. Davis Park improvements. (Council Communication No. 06-623) Moved by Vlassis to adopt. Motion passed 6-0.

Date: June 28, 1993

Roll Call Number: 93-2535

Action: Motion to dedicate the park at 16^th and Forest Avenue as Evelyn K. Davis Park on July 5, 1993. (Council Communication No. 93-271) Moved by Vlassis to adopt. Motion carried 6-0, one absent.

BOARD/COMMISSION ACTION(S): NONE

ANTICIPATED ACTIONS AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS:

Review and approval of proposed park improvements and capital construction. Approval of $20,000 reallocation in the Park Improvements CIP as part of the FY 2006-07 amended CIP budget process.