HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 01-18-2000 - 9bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: January 18, 2000
Action Agenda
Item No. __!a- b
SUBJECT: Parks and Recreation Trust Fund A lication 0 tions
DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource
Conservation, Recreation
and Parks
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Memorandum Dave Stancil, 245-2590
Bob Jones, 245-2661
Rich Shaw, 245-2591
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To consider options for an application to the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust
Fund.
BACKGROUND: Three options have been identified for a potential application to the Parks and
Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) on this cycle. Applications are due January 31.
Option #1 would involve a $250,000 request for facilities development for phase II of the Efland-
Cheeks Park. Option #2 would seek $250,000 to lower the County's cost for the potential Little
River Regional Park venture with Durham County. Option #3 would seek $125,000 for the Eno
RiverWalk project, which could be a joint action with the Town of Hillsborough.
The PARTF grant program requires a 1:1 dollar match for all projects. Information on applicable
projects and additional details on the three options are provided in the attached memorandum.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Each of the options would seek to acquire PARTF grant funds to lower
County acquisition or facilities development cost. A 1:1 dollar match would be required by the
County.
RECOMMENDATION(S): As the Board decides. Applications to the Trust Fund are due by
January 31.
Memorandum
To: Board of Commissioners
John Link, County Manager
From: Bob Jones, Recreation and Parks Director
David Stancil, Environment and Resource Conservation Director
Date: January 4, 1999
Re: Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) Grant Application Priority
The deadline for submitting grant applications to the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund is January
31, 2000. Three possible projects for submittal have been identified, but only one project can be
submitted per grant cycle (the cycle is annual from January 31 each year).
We are preparing an abstract along these lines for the Board's meeting on the 18th- Any ideas on these
options prior to the meeting would be welcomed. The basics of this grant program are shown in the box
below:
Parks and Recreation Trust Fund
1. Grants may be submitted fc a+cisiion of land' anci'developtrtent/errovation of reareatc e?.
.2. Counties and towns are el!40*400kants?, " 3. Grants require a dollar fordoil match, W&,, ,max!mum of $250,000. grant. and donations and in-,
land. services cannot, be used to match..
4. Approximately, $6 million is availabie
5. Grants are approved. by tH Darks and Recreation Authority, an 11-member boat apointed by the
Governor and Generals bly,.
6. Factors considered in approvakinlude criteria in the PARTF past-scoring.system populatioriw,serrred?;
geographic dlMAb0_km of projects,, presence or absence of other- funding sources, andslevel a
compliance with prior agreementsr
7. Only one grant may be submitted per qxl% and, joint` appkations?are.enco uraged., _
Jul?+k: ; ,
8. Projects will be approved in May-Jude, With, notice of grant by
The following options have been identified for potential grant submittal.
Oution *1 - Phase II,_Eflan?Cheeks Common%ty Park
A grant application in the amount of $250,000 could be submitted for facilities development for phase II
(or a portion of phase II) of this park. Upon completion of phase I in February, 2000, the major park
amenities of the original design will be constructed. The park amenities to be constructed in phase II
are the nature interpretive trails, boardwalk, outdoor shelter/classroom, repair drainage in open space
area, two (2) small picnic shelters and furnishings, and install athletic field lighting for the multi-purpose
softball/soccer fields.
The estimated cost of construction and engineering fees is $500,000. Application for $250,000 of Park
and Recreation Trust Fund would require a $250,000 match from the County. The matching funds will
not be required until 12 months from the date of the application. Funds that were expended in the
phase I construction cannot be used as a match, however, the appraised value of the property to be
developed may be used toward the match.
Note: The interpretive trails and boardwalk might be eligible for the N.C. Trails
Program grant which is described later in this memorandum.
Option #2 - Little River Regional Natural Park (in joint application with Durham Count')
This grant would be a joint application with Durham County to offset land acquisition costs for the
proposed 390-acre Little River Natural Area and Park. As long as some type of trails and/or low-impact
recreation is part of the proposal, a grant may be submitted for this project. As in the joint Clean Water
Management Trust Fund application for the same property, Durham and Orange County would split the
grant revenues 67%-33% (based on the acreage/cost proportions).
If a $250,000 grant were received, it would lower the County's cost for purchase of the 135 acres in
Orange County by $87,500. If the Clean Water Management Trust Fund grant is also approved, the
County's total cost for acquisition would be lowered to $141,400 (assuming a purchase price of
$3,000/acre).
Note: If Orange County does not submit this joint application, Durham County plans to submit an
application on its own for the Durham County portion of the property.
Option #3 - Eno RiverWalk (joint application with Town. of Hillsborough)
The original schematic drawing of this park site identified a lengthy trail and walk system to include
three (3) bridges, a small gazebo, and a large entertainment pavilion. Most of the identified walks are
to be handicap accessible. The estimated cost of construction of these amenities was $250,000. The
major performance pavilion was $75,000 and it was anticipated that these funds would be donated but
this was not successful.
If application for PARTF funds were requested the Town and County could apply jointly for $125,000
and fund a match of $125,000 (half of the estimated cost). However, engineering and technical
construction drawings have not been completed to date. The Town of Hillsborough has some funds
available that could be used for design fees, the cost of which could be $10,000 - $20,000.
In addition, the Orange Soil and Water District (with the assistance of the regional RC & D) are
completing a stream mitigation plan for the creek behind the Government Services Building that runs to
Eno River. They are seeking a grant that would provide funds to restore the creek at little or no cost to
the County.
Since the trails and walks are identified throughout the park plan, this project may be eligible for the
N.C. Trails Program. The funds that the Town of Hillsborough may have available could be applied
toward the 20% required match.
Alternate Source - N. C. Trails Pr ram Grant
Options #1 and #3 are likely also to be eligible for the N.C. Trails Program grant. These grants range
between $5,000 and $50,000. Applicants must provide 20% of the total project cost as a match. Eligible
projects are those involving trails and trail facilities which are open to the public (development of urban
trail linkages; construction of new trails on state, county, municipal lands, or conveyed easements across
private lands where a recreational need for such construction is shown; design and engineering costs
(up to 10% of the grant); acquisition of easements for trails; and acquisition of fee simple title to
property from a willing seller (when acquisition by easement fails).
Copies: Rich Shaw, Land Conservation Manager