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RESOLUTION NO. R-1314-14: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, APPROPRIATING $83,015 FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK LAND FUND BALANCE FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO SPRINGBROOK, CRESTLAND, AND ROTARY PARKS; AND APPROPRIATING $15,000 FROM THE CAPITAL FUND BALANCE FOR IMPROVEMENTS AT LITTLE AXE PARK.
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BACKGROUND: On 1 March, 2011, voters in Norman approved a City Charter amendment providing for the expenditure of fees-in-lieu of park land that were collected between 1976 and 1994 for the purpose of making park improvements in areas where suitable land is not available to purchase. This Charter amendment allows the city to make use of over $642,000 of park land fees and interest earnings for capital improvements in twenty one neighborhood park sites. The first project completed using these funds was the creation of the new Monroe Park on land leased from the Norman Public School System. This neighborhood represented the largest portion of the total fee-in-lieu funds collected prior to 1994 ($275,000).
In December, 2012, City Council appropriated funding for improvements at the four park sites with the next-largest pre-1994 neighborhood fee-in-lieu of land fund balances (Adkin’s Crossing Park, Colonial Estates Park, Colonial Commons Park, and Sunrise Park). For each site, the improvement plan included both the immediate general maintenance needs identified by staff and the park needs as identified in the 2009 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
DISCUSSION: At this time, staff is recommending the appropriation of Park Land Development funds for improvements to three additional park sites in order to help accomplish the following:
Rotary Park—Purchase and install trees in the park (matching a $5,000 donation from the Rotary Club). Purchase and install a shade structure over the playground area (matching a $1,500 donation from the Rotary Club). Purchase and install new picnic tables and grill for the new shelter being built in the park.
Springbrook Park—Purchase and install new sports equipment (basketball goal and court, soccer goals, baseball backstop). Purchase and install additional play equipment and site furniture.
Crestland Park—Purchase and install additional play equipment and site furniture. Hire a contractor to do extensive underbrush clearing and tree thinning and clean-up for better trail visibility and safety. Improve drainage in the park.
The pre-1994 Park Land Development funds will be combined with any fees collected after 1994 as well as any park development funds collected from builders over the years to accomplish as much of the plan for each park as possible.
At Little Axe Park, there are no Park Land Funds available to make improvements, as there are rarely any developments in that area that contributes to this fund. We are working through a multi-year project to improve the sports complex, sidewalk accessibility and parking areas at the park, including a project this year to replace the concession and restroom building. At this time we are requesting that $15,000 be appropriated from the Capital Fund Balance so that a picnic shelter can be added adjacent to the disc golf course area on the south end of the property.
RECOMMENDATION #1 : It is recommended that the City Council approve the appropriation of $83,015 from the Neighborhood Park Land Fund Balance (052-0000-253.20-00)for park improvements described above at Rotary, Springbrook and Crestland Parks.
Appropriate to:
Springbrook Park Improvements (052-9305-452.61-01), Project PR0144 - $16,518
Rotary Park Improvements (052-9618-452.61-01), Project PR0095 - $13,504
Crestland Park Improvements (052-9702-452.61-01), Project PR0145 - $52,993
RECOMMENDATION #2: It is recommended that the City Council approve the appropriation of $15,000 from the Capital Fund Balance (050-0000-253.20-00) for improvements described above to Little Axe Park Improvements (050-9922-452.61-01), Project PR0123.