HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 02/18/2014 - RESOLUTION 2014-011 SUPPORTING THE GRANT APPLICATIAgenda Item 9
Item # 9 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY February 18, 2014
City Council
STAFF
Craig Foreman, Director of Park Planning & Development
SUBJECT
Resolution 2014-011 Supporting the Grant Application for a Paths to Parks Trail Grant from the State Board of
Great Outdoors Colorado for the Fossil Creek Trail from College Avenue to Shields Street.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City is applying for a Great Outdoors Colorado Path to Parks Trail Grant. Staff is preparing an application
for the Fossil Creek Trail from College Avenue to Shields Street project for this grant cycle. Great Outdoors
Colorado requires a City Resolution acknowledging the application intent to be submitted as part of the grant
package.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Great Outdoors Colorado provides grant opportunities for eligible government agencies. The City has been
successful in the past in obtaining numerous park, trail and open space grants. Great Outdoors Colorado
presently has available a Paths to Parks Trail grant. This grant is for trail projects with a maximum grant
amount of $1,000,000.
Citizen responses in the 2013 Paved Recreational Trail Master Plan listed the Fossil Creek Trail from College
Avenue to Shields Street segment as one of the top three needed new trail projects.
The proposed project would complete a major connection of the Fossil Creek Trail from College Avenue to
Shields Street. The project involves 1.25 miles of new concrete trail and an underpass of the Burlington
Northern Santa Fe railroad. The trail will connect to the existing Fossil Creek Trail just west of College Avenue
and terminate at the existing trail on the east side of Shields Street. The project is estimated to cost about
$1,500,000. The layout of the trail has been discussed with appropriate City staff and area residents. Design
of the project has reached the final phase for the trail and underpass. Construction of the project will begin in
2015. The grant will have a three year completion timeframe.
FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACT
Capital funding for the construction of the project will be budgeted in the Conservation Trust Fund budget in
years 2015 and 2016. Obtaining this grant will offset trail funds allowing these funds to be applied to other trail
projects.
Operation and maintenance funding for the project will be about $10,000 per year and will be budgeted starting
in the 2016 Parks budget.
Agenda Item 9
Item # 9 Page 2
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
The trail alignment across the Red Trail Grove Natural Area has been reviewed and approved by Natural
Areas staff.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The trail location has been reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Board and the Land Conservation and
Stewardship Board during trail updates presented to the Boards in recent years. Most recently the Boards
reviewed this trail, and others, during their review of the 2013 Paved Recreational Trail Master Plan.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
The 2008 Parks and Recreation Policy Plan included an opportunity for the community to review a map
showing future trails including the Fossil Creek Trail segment from College Avenue to Shields Street. The 2013
Paved Recreational Trail Master Plan included this proposed trail segment in information presented to the
community for their review.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Location Map (PDF)
COLLINDALE GOLF COURSE
FOSSIL CREEK COMMUNITY PARK
SOUTHRIDGE GOLF COURSE
SOUTHRIDGE GOLF COURSE
WARREN PARK
TROUTMAN PARK
RIDGEVIEW PARK
MIRAMONT PARK
LANDINGS PARK GOLDEN MEADOWS PARK
WATER'S WAY PARK
HOMESTEAD PARK
S LEMAY AVE
S SHIELDS ST
S COLLEGE AVE
E TRILBY RD
CARPENTER RD
E HARMONY RD
S MASON ST
W TRILBY RD
W HARMONY RD
B
O
A
RD
W
ALK
D
R
J
O
H
N F
KEN
N
E
D
Y P
K
W
Y
S TIMBERLINE RD S COUNTY ROAD 11
S TIMBERLINE RD
FOSSIL CREEK TRAIL ±
GOCO GRANT APPLICATION
PROJECT
LOCATION
Legend
Paved Trail
Park
City Limits
Natural Area
Feb. 2014
ATTACHMENT 1
- 1 -
RESOLUTION 2014-011
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
SUPPORTING THE GRANT APPLICATION FOR A PATHS TO PARKS
TRAIL GRANT FROM THE STATE BOARD OF GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO
FOR THE FOSSIL CREEK TRAIL FROM COLLEGE AVENUE TO SHIELDS STREET
WHEREAS, the City’s Park Planning and Development Department is applying for a
Paths to Parks Trail Grant from the State Board of Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) in the
amount of $1,000,000 for funding for the connection of the Fossil Creek Trail from College
Avenue to Shields Street (the “Project”); and
WHEREAS, the maximum grant amount that can be awarded is $1,000,000, and the
estimated cost of the Project is $1,500,000; and
WHEREAS, as part of its grant application process, GOCO requires that the governing
body of any entity applying for grant funds pass a resolution to show that it is aware of and
supports the application, and recognizes the financial and other obligations the grant creates; and
WHEREAS, such resolution is to include an acknowledgement of the applicant’s
obligation to provide matching funds, a statement verifying ownership of the real property
necessary for the Project, and a commitment to maintain the Project in the future; and
WHEREAS, the City intends to budget matching funds for the Project in the
Conservation Trust Fund budget in years 2015 and 2016; and
WHEREAS, the Project is to be built on property either owned by the City or on long-
term easements that have been acquired by the City for trail purposes; and
WHEREAS, the estimated annual cost of maintenance for the Project is $10,000; and
WHEREAS, should the City receive a GOCO grant for the Project and complete the
Project as planned, the City intends to maintain the Project in high quality condition, subject to
the annual appropriation by the City Council of funds sufficient and intended for such purpose,
in the City Council’s discretion; 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 Paths to Parks Trails grant in the amount of $1,000,000 for the Fossil
Creek Trail Project.
- 2 -
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this
18th day of February, A.D. 2014.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk