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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-16-2004-8iORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 16, 2004 Action Agenda Item No. ?- I_ SUBJECT: Soccer Superfund - Policy and Guidelines DEPARTMENT: ERCD, Recreation & Parks PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT INFORMATION CONTACT: 1) Draft Policy and Guidelines Commissioner Barry Jacobs Lori Taft, 245-2660 David Stancil, 245-2590 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider a draft policy and set of guidelines for use of the Soccer Superfund. BACKGROUND: In November 2001, Orange County voters approved a $20 million bond package for parks and open space. Included in this package was $2 million to create a Soccer Superfund, to fund new soccer fields around Orange County, This concept grew out of the Soccer Symposium Task Force report of 2000, which investigated needs for soccer fields throughout the County. Before any funding can be appropriated from the Soccer Superfund, the Board asked that a policy and guidelines be developed regarding uses of the fund. County staff, in conjunction with Commissioner Jacobs, has developed the attached document in recent months, and it is provided here for the Board's consideration, having received review and feedback. The policy and guidelines address these topics: • Identify the purposes of the Superfund (construction of new fields and, as a secondary use, acquisition of land for new fields) • Outline guidelines for construction of new fields by the County • Create a matching grant option for qualified entities • Develop conditions and criteria for evaluating appropriations from the Superfund • Outline guidelines for use for land acquisitions 2 The Board discussed the proposed policy and guidelines on February 3'd, February 16th and on March 4th. At the March 4th meeting, the board voted to approve the draft as revised and to include "alternate section 2", which would provide the opportunity for facilities to be constructed through matching grants to public entities. Based on this feedback, staff has prepared final revisions to the policy and incorporated them into the attached document. FINANCIAL IMPACT: This policy and guidelines would govern the types of expenditures made from the Soccer Superfund, at the Board's discretion. There is no provision that requires funds to be appropriated, as such decisions would be up to the legislative decision- making of the Board, The Soccer Superfund had $500,000 appropriated in FY 2002-03. According to the 2002 Bond and Alternative Financing Timetable, $600,000 was to be appropriated in the current FY 2003-04 fiscal year, with a like amount in FY 2004-05. The proposed FY 2005-06 allotment is $300,000. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the attached Soccer Superfund Policy and Guidelines. Soccer Superfund Policy and Guidelines 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 fiords (as available) from the Soccer Superfrnd. Purposes of the Soccer Superfund Funds from this source are intended to be used primarily for the development of fields used primarily 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. The Board of County Commissioners may reserve approximately 1/2 of the total fund 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 hearings, comment and review. 1. Facilities Constructed by Orange County a. Facilities should be constructed on land that is owned by Orange County. 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 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 which demonstrate outreach and other practices promoting equality and goodwill regardless of an individual's race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status or familial status. 2. Facilities Constructed Through Matching Grants to Public Entities Qualified public entities may apply for up to 50% matching finds from the Soccer Superfund to assist in soccer field development projects Project proposals must include proof of free and clear public ownership of the land on which the fields will be developed. The acceptance of in-kind services toward the 50% 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. 4 To apply for matching funds, an application request must be submitted to the County. The application should state the name of the applicant organization, the purpose of the proposed project, the anticipated cost of the project, and other details as shall be specified on the application form. The applicant must provide documentation ensuring that their portion of the matching funds is available and at hand. The application will be evaluated by County staff, with a recommendation submitted to the Board of Commissioners. 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 have access to Public Transportation 7) Construct fields that receive approval of appropriate regulatory agencies 8) Locations where water and sewer is available (especially for proposed "soccer park" projects). 9) Construct new fields that are not previously approved as part of a park master plan or concept plan as of the November 6, 2001 bond referendum. (Southern Community Park, Efland-Cheeks Community School Park and all Schools occupied as of'December 31, 2003 are not eligible to receive Soccer Superfund funding.) 4. Contract Language Contract Language between the County and the grant recipient will include the following basic premises: Orange County retains the right to assume controlling management and operation of facilities for which applicant 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. 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. The grant recipient will agree to an ongoing commitment to Outreach and Inclusion of Minority Participation, and other practices promoting equality and goodwill regardless of an individual's race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, athletic ability, veteran status or familial status. In the event of sale, lease or foreclosure of the property and/or the facilities developed with grant funds, the county will retain the option of right of first refusal to purchase/lease the property/facilities at market value, less the amount of the grant. Alternatively, the county may choose to receive reimbursement for the grant monies provided. • Construction of soccer fields through matching grants to qualified organizations must be initiated within three (3) years of the grant award. • The Orange County Recreation and Parks Department will work with the grant recipient in programming the field(s) Orange County will retain the right of final determination in this area. • Orange County will not be committed to further capital expenditures in the event development is unsuccessful, damage occurs, or further improvements/phases are desired. • Orange County will not be committed to ongoing maintenance/operational costs. 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 6. Compatibility with existing zoning and other development regulations, and potential for site plan approval of field construction T Potential for co-location with other' public facilities under the management of Orange County Government. & 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. Approved the 16th day of March, 2004. Revisions: