Title
Approval of Appropriation Ordinance in the Amount of $60,000 to Prepare a Community Park Suitability Assessment for Five Potential Community Park Properties
Recommended Action
Finance Committee Recommendation
Recommend that Council approve an appropriation ordinance for $60,000 for the preparation of a community park site suitability assessment for five potential community park properties, based on the scope of work attached.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve on second reading an appropriation ordinance in the amount of $60,000 to prepare a community park suitability assessment for five potential community park properties, based on the attached scope of work and criteria added at the July 8 Council meeting regarding open space, habitat, and stormwater issues.
Report
Issue:
Shall the City approve an appropriation ordinance in the amount of $60,000 to prepare a community park site suitability assessment for five potential community park sites to help inform future decisions?
Staff Contact:
Paul Simmons, Director, Parks, Arts and Recreation Department, 360.753.8462
Presenter(s) and Others Present:
Paul Simmons, Parks, Arts & Recreation Director
David Hanna, Parks, Arts & Recreation Associate Director
Background and Analysis:
The background and analysis has not changed since the first reading at the July 8 Council meeting.
At the June 5, 2014 Parks, Arts and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) meeting, The LBA Woods Park Coalition proposed that the City purchase the Bentridge and Trillium parcels for a future community park site. Following the presentation, PRAC recommended that the Finance Committee fast track a park feasibility study of the Bentridge parcel only.
At its June 11, 2014 Finance Committee meeting, City staff and the LBA Woods Park Coalition began a dialog about the feasibility of purchasing the Bentridge parcel for a future community park. The City has not yet conducted a thorough analysis of this parcel's suitability for a community park. Also, the City is aware of four other large parcels that may be suitable sites for a future community park, but has not conducted feasibility studies on those parcels either. The other potential sites are:
- Lindell/Lister Road Site (Northeast)
- Spooners on Yelm Highway (Southwest)
- Cooper Point Old Sundberg Gravel Pit (Westside)
- Trillium Subdivision Site (Southeast)
The scope of work for the study (attached) will include factors such as location, required public improvements, topography, land and development costs, critical areas and utility availability. These factors significantly influence a site's potential for a community park. The study will result in a prioritized list of sites for future consideration.
At its June 24, 2014 meeting, the Council Finance Committee recommended that Council approve an appropriation ordinance for $60,000 for the preparation of a community park site suitability assessment for five potential community park properties, based on the scope of work attached.
At the July 8 Council meeting, Council directed that the following items be added to the scope of work: look at open space, habitat, and Stormwater issues.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The LBA Woods Park Coalition is proposing that the City purchase both the Bentridge and the Trillium parcels for a City park.
Options:
1. Move to approve on second reading an appropriation ordinance in the amount of $60,000 to prepare a community park suitability assessment for five potential community park properties, based on the scope of work attached and agreed to at the July 8 Council meeting.
2. Do not Move to approve the appropriation ordinance.
Financial Impact and Timeline:
Staff has estimated that a community park feasibility study of the five potential sites (Option 1) will cost approximately $60,000 and require 90 days to complete once the consultant is under contract. Staff estimates that limiting the scope to Option 2 would amount to $18,000 and require 60 days to complete once the consultant is under contract. Funds for this study would come from unallocated Community Park Impact Fees.