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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 07/06/2010 - RESOLUTION 2010-035 SUPPORTING THE GRANT APPLICATI DATE: July 6, 2010 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY STAFF: Cheryl Donaldson FORT COLLINSCOUNCIL FIRM Resolution 2010-035 Supporting the Grant Application fora Local Parks and Outdoor Recreation Grantfrom the State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund for the Fort Collins Discovery Museum Outdoor Exhibitions and Programs. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In August 2010, the Fort Collins Museum plans to submit a grant application to the State Board of Great Outdoors Colorado(GOCO)requesting$200,000 in support of the construction of outdoor exhibitions and programming spaces at the new museum facility. The GOCO Board requires a resolution from the applicant's governing body in support of the application and recognition of financial and other obligations inherent in the grant. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION The Fort Collins Discovery Museum is building a new facility on the corner of Cherry Street and College Avenue. In addition to exhibitions and programming areas within the building, the new facility will provide exterior exhibit and programming spaces to the community. The grant application to GOCO will request funds to construct exterior exhibition panels and experiences highlighting the natural areas surrounding the building. For example, educational kiosks and signage along the Poudre River Bike Trail will explain the landscape of the Poudre River area,flora,fauna, and discuss other environmental concerns. Other educational opportunities, such as"planned discovery"areas,will present information through discovery, peeking inside a hollow tree and discovering information about what kinds of animals make trees their home. The grant will also support an educational pavilion for outdoor programs, lectures, and activities based on themes presented in the museum's exhibitions. The pavilion may also be used for meetings, as an outdoor classroom,or as a rental area for small weddings,receptions and other community needs. These areas are included in the architectural renderings and exhibition plans for the new facility. FINANCIAL/ ECONOMIC IMPACTS The Museum will request$200,000 in grant funds from GOCO. A required 10% cash match of$20,000 has been secured and has been appropriated in the Capital Project Fund for the new museum facility project. Seven years of operating and maintenance costs are included in the"Building on Basics'tax for the new museum facility. A portion of this money will be utilized for all exterior exhibits and program spaces. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS The Fort Collins Discovery Museum will be located at the corner of Cherry Street and College Avenue, next to Lee Martinez Farm and alongside the Poudre Bike Trail. While the majority of exhibition and programming components will be housed on the museum campus, including the Educational Pavilion, other educational experiences will be located along the Poudre River Bike Trail. All panels will be designed for minimal impact on the surrounding area. These educational experiences will be open to all trail users and will complement themes in the museum facility. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution. RESOLUTION 2010-035 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS SUPPORTING THE GRANT APPLICATION FOR A LOCAL PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANT FROM THE STATE BOARD OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO TRUST FUND FOR THE FORT COLLINS DISCOVERY MUSEUM OUTDOOR EXHIBITIONS AND PROGRAMS WHEREAS, the City's Cultural Services, Museum Department is applying for a Local Parks and Outdoor Recreation Grant from the State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund (GOCO) in the amount of$250,000 to fund an outdoor educational pavilion and exhibition space at the new Fort Collins Discovery Museum (the "Project"); and WHEREAS, as part of its grant application process, GOCO requires that the governing body of any entity applying for grant funds approve of and show its support for the grant application through a resolution of the governing body; and WHEREAS, such resolution is to include a statement of support for the proposed project; a recognition of the need to provide matching funds; verification that the real property necessary for the Project will be under the control of the applicant or a project partner for at least 25 years; a commitment to maintain the Project in the future; and examples of how the applicant has demonstrated its ability to complete similar projects; and WHEREAS, matching funds for the Project have already been appropriated through the Capital Project Fund for the Fort Collins Discovery Museum facility and are available for expenditure on the Project; and WHEREAS, the Project is to be built on property owned by the City and, upon completion, the Project will be jointly owned by the City and the Discovery Science Center, a Colorado non-profit corporation ("DSC"), for at least 25 years; and WHEREAS, the City has the ability to complete the Project and has demonstrated this ability through the development and construction of outdoor exhibits and programming spaces in recent years, including at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area in 2009 and at Spring Canyon Park in 2007; and WHEREAS, should the City receive a GOCO grant for the Project and complete the Project as planned, the City and the DSC intend to maintain the Project in high quality condition, subject to the annual appropriation by City Council and the Board of the DSC of funds sufficient and intended for such purpose, in their discretion; and WHEREAS, the annual maintenance cost for the Project is estimated to be $20,000; and WHEREAS, should the City receive a GOCO grant for the Project, staff will ask the City Council, by a separate resolution, to authorize the City to enter into a Grant Agreement with GOCO. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, that in light of the forgoing, the City Council hereby supports the City's application for a GOCO Local Parks and Outdoor Recreation Grant in the amount of$250,000 for the outdoor educational pavilion and exhibition space at the Fort Collins Discovery Museum. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 6th day of July A.D. 2010. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk