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PARK COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM <br /> <br />Prepared By: Reviewed By: Approved By: <br /> <br /> <br />1. Purpose. The purpose of this action is to provide and update on funding for the Big Island Project. <br /> <br />2. Background. The Mayor successfully got an entry added to latest bonding bill for the city. The <br />State Bonding Bill which recently passed both houses of the legislature and was signed by the governor <br />included $300,000 for Orono’s Big Island Park Project: For a grant to the city of Orono to predesign, <br />design, construct, furnish, and equip improvements at Big Island ark, including a picnic area, trails and <br />trail gates, restrooms, permanent seating, and interpretive panels. The grant funds will be administered <br />by the Minnesota State Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Staff has been <br />in contact with DEED and expects to get guidance on the process and limits associated with the funds <br />soon. The funding should be available in time to complete the original Big Island Project as designed <br />including the items that were previously differed due to lack of funding. This includes the picnic shelter <br />and tables. Staff will also be recommending that some of the funding be used to pay for the additional <br />archeology and design work required this past summer to get the final state and federal approvals for the <br />project. <br /> <br />3. Project Update. As of October 22nd the project has finally received the last approval needed to <br />conduct ground disturbing activities. Constructing Surveying is complete and the aggregate required for <br />the trails has been stockpiles on site. Pending transportation the contractor will look to complete the trail <br />work yet this fall. The vault toilet and picking shelter will be completed in 2021. <br /> <br />4. Future Improvements. The Big Island Legacy has some aspirations for additional improvements at <br />Big Island Park. Bond funding not used for the current project could be used for follow on work. <br />Commissioner Carter who is also on the Legacy Board will provide and update. <br /> <br />5. Funding. Subject to any limitation that state may place on the Bond Funds there are several <br />scenarios that may apply. The City Council will make the final decision on how the bond funds are used <br />however the Park Commission should provide a recommendation on their use. Options might include: <br /> <br />a. Maximize the use of bond funds to cover the city portions of the existing project funding. <br />b. Use the bond funds to cover any funding beyond the $80,000 city match required for the current <br />DNR grant. <br />c. Use the bond funds to cover any funding beyond the $120,000 the city has authorized at the time <br />of the project award. <br />d. Maximize the amount of the bond funding available for a follow on project as proposed by the <br />Big Island Legacy group. <br /> <br />COMMISSION ACTION REQUESTED <br />Discussion on Bond Funding and any recommendation the Commission would like to make the City <br />Council. <br /> <br />Item No.: 3 Date: November 5th, 2020 <br />Item Description: State Bonding Update for Big Island. <br /> <br />Presenter: Adam T. Edwards, P.E. <br />Dir. Public Works, City Engineer <br />Agenda <br />Section: <br />Staff Report <br />