Title
Application to the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) for a Waiver of Retroactivity for Grant Reimbursement of Construction Costs for the Woodruff Sprayground Project
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a recommendation to apply to the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) for a Waiver of Retroactivity for grant reimbursement of construction costs for the Woodruff Sprayground Project.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a recommendation to apply to the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) for a Waiver of Retroactivity for grant reimbursement of construction costs for the Woodruff Sprayground Project.
Staff Contact:
Paul Simmons; Director; Parks, Arts and Recreation; 360.753.8462
Presenter(s):
Paul Simmons; Director; Parks, Arts and Recreation;
Background and Analysis:
Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation is currently in final design of a sprayground water-play feature and associated shelter for Woodruff Park. The public has selected the preferred play features in an online survey and the project is scheduled for construction in spring 2018. The project budget is $1,044,819, which includes anticipated Washington Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant funding of $446,380.
The City’s grant application to RCO for this project scored well, ranking eighth statewide in the Local Parks category. At the proposed funding level for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program in the State’s capital budget, the project would be funded. Lacking a capital budget, however, project funding from this program is currently uncertain.
In order to allow RCO-funded projects to continue moving forward despite the uncertainty surrounding the capital budget, RCO is allowing jurisdictions to apply for a “Waiver of Retroactivity.” This would allow jurisdictions to use alternative funding for the RCO portion of their projects. If and when a capital budget is passed and RCO programs are funded, the jurisdiction would then be reimbursed for the funds that they used for the grant-funded portion of the project. This approach comes with an understanding that it is possible that a capital budget does not get passed or is passed without adequate funding necessary to reimburse expenses.
Staff proposes to apply for a Waiver of Retroactivity for this project and use $271,380 in Impact Fees previously earmarked for the Grass Lake Nature Park Trail and $175,000 in Impact Fees previously earmarked for the Sprayground #2 project. With or without this fund transfer, the Grass lake Nature Park Trail project will likely be delayed; the RCO grant application for this project did not rank high enough to receive funding at the funding level proposed in the capital budget. Similarly, the Sprayground #2 project will also be dependent on future grant funding. Staff is hopeful that a capital budget will be passed and these funds will be reimbursed. If, however, there is ultimately not a reimbursement, this fund transfer will allow the Woodruff Sprayground project to be completed on-time without unduly delaying other projects.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There appears to be strong enthusiasm in the community for the sprayground project. Over 1,400 people participated in an on-line survey to select the desired play features.
Options:
Move to approve the recommendation to apply to the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) for a Waiver of Retroactivity for grant reimbursement of construction costs for the Woodruff Sprayground Project.
Do not move to approve the recommendation to apply to the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) for a Waiver of Retroactivity for grant reimbursement of construction costs for the Woodruff Sprayground Project. Construction will be delayed until a capital budget is passed.
Financial Impact:
$271,380 in Impact Fees previously earmarked for the Grass Lake Nature Park Trail and $175,000 in Impact Fees previously earmarked for the Sprayground #2 project will be utilized in place of anticipated RCO funding. Should the RCO program be funded, these funds will be reimbursed. If a capital budget is not passed, these funds will likely not be reimbursed.
Attachments:
None