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Home My WebLink AboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 02/15/2000 - SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 14, 2000 AUTHORIZI AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 12 DATE: February 1�,, 2000 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Mike Powers SUBJECT: Second Reading of Ordinance No. 14, 2000 Authorizing the Conveyance of High School Park to Colorado State University Research Foundation In Exchange for the 18 Acre Community Horticulture Center Site. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on Second Reading. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Since May 1998, City Council has,on three occasions, studied and considered possible sites for the Community Horticulture Center. The result has been a narrowing of preference by Council for the CSURF site. Most recently, in March 1999, the City Council directed staff to prepare the legal documents to complete a land exchange deal with Colorado State University Research Foundation (CSURF)to secure a site for the Community Horticulture Center. Ordinance No. 14,2000, which was unanimously adopted on First Reading on February 1, 2000, completes the transaction for transfer of the High School Park site to CSURF in exchange for the CSURF site. s i • f AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 13 A-B f FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: February 1, 2000 STAFF: Mike Powers SUBJECT: Items Related to the Community Horticulture Center. i RECOMMENDATION: i Staff recommends adoption o e Re on ption of e Ordinance on First Reading. I FINANCIAL IMPACT: i u The land exchange executed through this action involves the transfer of High School Park to Colorado State University Research Foundation (CSURF) in exchange for an 18-acre parcel. In addition to the exchange of p 1apdTithe $50,200. These funds are appropriated in the 2000 Bud as p project. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: A. Resolution 2000-25 Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with Colorado State University Research Foundation and the Colorado State Board of Agriculture Regarding the Community Horticultur rO, Priz�iYngonveyance ch Center and Annual Flower Trial Gardens. B. First Reading of Ord' of High School Park to Colorado State University Research Foundation In Exchange for the 18 Acre Community Horticulture Center Site. Since May 1998,City Council has,on three occasions,studied and considered possible sites for the Community Horticulture Center. The result has been a narrowing of preference by Council for the CSURF site. Most recently, in March 1999, the City Council directed staff to prepare the legal documents to complete a land exchange deal with Colorado State University Research Foundation (CSURF) to secure a site for the Community Horticulture Center. This item completes the . transaction by approving an ordinance for transfer of the High School Park site to CSURF in exchange for the CSURF site. Elements of the exchange agreement include the following provisions: DATE: February 1,2000 i 2 ITEM NUMBER: 13 A-13 • The City will transfer its title to High School Park to CSURF. This approximately 2.78 acre park will continue to carry a deed restriction that it must be maintained as a public park. CSU plans to use this site for its Annual Flower Trial Gardens and to accommodate a pedestrian/bicycle underpass of College Avenue. The underpass will connect the main campus with the Remington Campus, located at the Old Fort Collins High School. • The City will receive an 18-acre parcel from CSURF that is located along Spring Creek and Center Avenue,which has been determined to be a suitable site for the City's Community Horticulture Center. • The City, CSURF and U '1 ter to o d of Understanding regarding a number of operational sues w h wil Co f -ty Horticulture Center, CSU's Plant Environmental R arc ter R and CS s Annual Flower Trial Gardens in a coordinated, community oriented ortic tore program. The City's 18-acre site will acquire will accommodate several uses, including an easement for the relocated Spring Creek bike path, a 1.5-acre neighborhood park, and a 5.5-acre restoration/buffer along Spring Creek, leaving 11 acres for the gardens, building and parking for the Community Horticulture Center. Of the total parcel, 16 acres are located in the 100-year floodway and cannot be used for buildings. Two acres of the parcel are located on higher ground outside the floodplain and will be the site of the approximately 8,000 square foot conservatory and greenhouse. The attached map illustrates the sit ca n ou-90V %L a, BACKGROUND: This agenda item includes two parts: an ordinance conveying the High School Park site to Colorado State University Research Foundation ("CSURF") in exchange for the CSURF parcel, and a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the City, CSURF and Colorado State University ("CSU") regarding the operation of the facilities. The provisions of the ordinance include authorization of the conveyance of High School Park to CSURF, together with the payment of$50,200, in exchange for the conveyance by CSURF to the City of 18 acres along Spring e 4 en A Ci s deed to CSURF will contain a requirement that the High S ooi Par use i a public park. CSURF's deed to the City will reserve a first ht of sal URF in a event the City disposes of the Community Horticulture Center in the e. a term a exchange are based on staff s analysis of the fair market value of the properties to be exchanged. The Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") includes operational agreements between the City and CSU,and CSURF's commitments with respect to the High School Park property. The purpose of the MOU is to outline an agreement for developing cooperative planning and use of the City's Community Horticulture Center, CSU's Plant Environmental Research Center and CSU's Annual Flower Trial Gardens at High School Park with the goal of maximizing benefits to the City, University and the community at large. The goal will be to provide a coordinated program for members of the community where citizens will be able to use all three sites and the City and CSU will work together on programming and facilities to create the greatest variety of resources and minimize duplication of efforts. DATE: February 1,2000 3 ITEM NUMBER: 13 A-B Some highlights of the MOU include: • High School Park will be used by CSU for its Annual Flower Trial Gardens. This prominent location will benefit both CSU in its programming and the community in terns of visibility. The existing gazebo will remain in place and be incorporated into the overall design of the trial gardens. • The City and CSU will look for opportunities to use each other's facilities, when available, for classes, public receptions and other shared programs. • The City and CSU wi or eshi Ytieossibly including community education, Master Gat ners,inPL uties and fund-raising, among others. I • The City and CSU agree to work together to coordinate development of"theme"gardens to avoid unnecessary duplication. With adoption of the Ordinance and Resolution, staff will begin the design work on the project. Design firths have been selected for the landscape and building design. The design team will undertake an 8-month design process, with a goal of breaking ground for the facility in fall 2000. Opening of the facility is planned for Spring/Summer 2001. The private non-profit suppo oup fo a Co o tore Center also plans to begin its private fund raising efforts as on as roj ter plan ,completed in summer 2000. The support group plans to raise fun or the nter provide r enhanced and expanded garden development and other needs of the facility. -00=%A OpIMW "Ir