HomeMy WebLinkAboutPolicy - Soccer Superfund - Policy and Guidelines 3
DRAFT
Proposed Soccer Superfund Policy and Guidelines
November 18, 2003
Orange County has created a"Soccer Superfund," funded initially by bonds approved by
County voters in November 2001. At its discretion,the Board of County Commissioners
may consider appropriation of funds (as available) from the Soccer Superfund.
Purposes of the Soccer Superfund
Funds from this source are intended to be used primarily for the development of fields used
exclusively for soccer in Orange County. A secondary purpose for these funds is for the
purchase of land in Orange County for the development of soccer fields. No less than %2 of
the total fund will be reserved for a Soccer Park of at least six (6) fields.
A. Construction of Public Soccer Facilities
Facilities funded by the Soccer Superfund should be developed using a process that
includes opportunities for public comment and review.
1. Facilities Constructed by Orange County
a. Facilities should be constructed on land that is owned by Orange
County, or on private land where the County holds a long-term lease(20
years or more)
b. Facilities should be designed by, and oversight of construction should
be managed by,the Orange County Environment and Resource
Conservation Department and the Recreation and Parks Department, as
defined in their departmental duties. Other persons or entities, such as a
County Construction Manager,may be involved as directed by the
County Manager or the Board of County Commissioners.
c. Facilities should be managed by Orange County Recreation and Parks
Department,which should be responsible for the programming and use
of the facility. The Recreation and Parks Department will schedule
these facilities for use by Orange County programs, and when available,
for use by non-profit outside recreation agencies and groups
2. Facilities Constructed Through Matching Grants to Qualified Private
Non-Profit or Other Public Agencies
Qualified private agencies or other public agencies may apply for up to 50%
matching funds from the Soccer Superfund to assist in soccer field
development projects. The acceptance of in-kind services toward the private
match will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Board of County
Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners will make a determination on
the approval of matching grants, at their discretion and as funds permit.
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To apply for matching funds, an application request must be submitted to
the County. The application should state the name of the applying agency,
its Federal tax status(501 c3 or other qualifying status),the purpose of the
proposed project, the anticipated cost of the project, and other details as
shall be specified on the application form.
The application will be evaluated by County staff, with a recommendation
submitted to the Board of Commissioners. Criteria for evaluating project
applications will include(but are not limited to):
a) Best Management Practices/Field Management Ability
b) Commitment to Outreach and Inclusion of Minority Participation
c) Commitment to Sportsmanship and Competitiveness Values in Agency
Leadership and Program Policies and Practices
d) Accessibility of Field(s) for Public Non-programmed Use
e) Access to Public Transportation
Orange County retains the right to assume controlling management and
operation of facilities for which managing entities have received grant
monies from this fund, should the Manager and the Board determine that
field management, maintenance and/or availability expectations based on
the above criteria and spelled out in the contract authorizing grant approval
have not been maintained.
Construction of soccer fields through matching grants to qualified
organizations must be initiated within three (3) years of the grant award.
3. Conditions and Priorities for Funding Consideration
Priority consideration for funding(both County projects and matching grant
projects)will be given to projects that meet the following criteria. Projects
that meet multiple criteria will receive higher weighting:
1) Incorporate economies of scale(i.e.,two or more fields situated together
that share lighting and ancillary facilities)
2) Construct full size fields (approximately 360' in length by 225' in
width)
3) Construct fields which include planned lighting
4) Construct fields which include planned irrigation
5) Construct fields that are readily accessible for public use*.
6) Construct fields that receive approval of appropriate regulatory agencies
7) Locations where water and sewer is available(especially for proposed
"soccer park"projects).
8) Construct new fields that are not previously approved as part of a park
master plan
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*-Fields that are funded by the Soccer Superfund must be reasonably available for use
beyond that of the grantee.Any contract for matching grant must specify how and when
community use of the field will be made available
B. Purchase of Land for Construction of Soccer Fields
The Soccer Superfund may also be used to fund the acquisition of land(s), which
will contain fields to be used exclusively for soccer, at the discretion of the Board
of Commissioners and as funds are available.
The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals for land acquisition
projects, whether by County or by matching grant application. (Note: Matching
grant proposals shall use the same application form as for facility development):
1. At least 67% of the total land area in the proposal must be used for
soccer fields or other related facilities associated with the fields
2. The compatibility of the proposed land acquisition with the Master
Recreation and Parks Plan (Parks and Recreation Element of the
Comprehensive Plan)
3. The proximity of the site to population centers and geographic location
of other fields
4. Accessibility of the site for transportation purposes (including public
transportation)
5. The impact of construction of fields on the proposed site on natural and
cultural resources either present on site or within a reasonable proximity
to the site
6. Compatibility with existing zoning and other development regulations,
and potential for site plan approval of field construction
7. Potential for co-location with other public facilities under the
management of Orange County Government.
8. Finite plans for development of fields through the matching grant
program must accompany a land acquisition application. Contractual
language will stipulate that construction of fields must begin within
three(3) years.
C. Other
Funding from the Soccer Superfund will be made available by the Board of
Commissioners at their discretion as part of the annual budget process. Approval of
projects is contingent on availability of funds.
This policy shall be amended by the Board of County Commissioners as needed.
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