Title
Resolution of Support for the City of Colorado Springs Sponsorship of the Local Government Parks and Recreation Mini-Grant to Great Outdoors Colorado on Behalf of Concrete Couch
Presenter:
Karen Palus, Director, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Tilah Larson, Senior Analyst, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Body
Summary:
The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department proposes to sponsor a Great Outdoors Colorado (“GOCO”) Local Government Parks and Recreation (“LPOR”) mini-grant. The $45,000 grant application will assist with supporting the construction of public restrooms for all at Concrete Couch’s (“CC”) community park and learning laboratory.
Background:
CC is developing a blighted 5.6 parcel of land Southeast of downtown Colorado Springs purchased with Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) Community Development Block Grant Funding. The nonprofit has already begun activating the site as a hub of ecology, community, and creativity with playground facilities, an orchard, walking and biking trails, community art, informational kiosks and more. The site is amidst three neighborhoods (Hillside, Meadows Park, and Mill Street neighborhoods) which CC has been embedded in since the nonprofit first formed 15 years ago. The three neighborhoods within the service area of the site (0.5 mile radius) fall within Low Moderate Income (>70% LMI) target areas identified by Colorado Springs Economic Development. The site is therefore uniquely placed to service low and moderate income families from three surrounding neighborhoods.
With Shooks Run Creek flowing through the center of the property, this site fits into the City’s Shooks Run Master Plan by developing a “destination program zone” where the public can enjoy art, playgrounds, trails, educational programming, tool sharing and more. Grant funding will assist with providing a public restroom facility for visitors.
CC has sought the City’s support to sponsor their grant application as GOCO requires that a qualified government agency submit the application, and receive and disburse funds for this grant. City funds are neither needed nor requested as part of this sponsorship application. While the City would support CC in receiving grant funds from GOCO, CC assumes all responsibility for building and maintaining these facilities. These terms will be outlined in a memorandum of understanding between the parties, if the grant is awarded.
Previous Council Action:
N/A.
Financial Implications:
None. CC will provide the necessary match funding for the grant and seek reimbursement from GOCO if awarded funding. The City will not have financial obligations.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board voted in support of sponsoring the grant at their September 12, 2019 meeting.
Stakeholder Process:
GOCO requires that each organization undertake a planning process with stakeholders as part of the grant application. CC is coordinating the necessary stakeholder processes for their project.
Alternatives:
City Council may choose not to pass a resolution supporting the grant application. Doing so would limit the ability of the nonprofit to apply for a GOCO LPOR mini-grant.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Move to support the City’s sponsorship of the LPOR mini-grant application to Great Outdoors Colorado on behalf of Concrete Couch.
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A