In Background, Site of Proposed New Pedestrian FootbridgeMission Trail Nature Preserve
Near Rio Road Entrance
Close-Up of Site of Proposed New Pedestrian Footbridge 
Site of Proposed New Pedestrian Footbridge View towards the Carmel Mission
City Council Agenda
Regular Meeting
January 8, 2008
VII. Consent Calendar
These matters include routine financial and administrative actions, which are usually approved by a single majority vote. Individual items may be removed from Consent by a member of the Council or the public for discussion and action.
F. Consideration of a resolution accepting a $10,000 grant from the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District (MPRPD) for construction of a new pedestrian footbridge in Mission Trail Nature Preserve (MTNP) and authorizing a transfer from the Capital Improvement Reserve until grant funds are reimbursed.
BACKGROUND:
In August 2007, the City applied to the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District (MPRPD) for a grant to construct a new pedestrian bridge in Mission Trail Nature Preserve (MTNP). The proposed footbridge is located near the Rio Road entrance, to the east of Serra Trail and the Doolittle Trail sign and bench.
On November 15, 2007, Acting City Forester Mike Branson was notified by Joe Splane III, Finance & Administrative Services Manager of the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District (MPRPD,) that the Board of Directors of the MPRPD awarded the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea $10,000 for a Mission Trail Nature Preserve Footbridge.
On the City Council’s Consent Calendar for the January 8, 2008 meeting was a Resolution accepting the $10,000 grant from the MPRPD for construction of a new pedestrian footbridge in MTNP; the Resolution was approved at the City Council's meeting.
GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE MONTEREY PENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
AND
THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
FOR FY 2007-08 PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND COASTAL PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM
Selected excerpts, as follows:
This Grant Agreement is made and entered into as of this date: December 3, 2007…
1. GRANT AMOUNT AND STATEMENT OF WORK
A. Scope of Project – The District has allocated grant funds to the Grantee in the maximum aggregate amount of $10,000 to be used for the eligible costs associated with the project as described as follows:
1. Installation of a new footbridge at Mission Trail Nature Preserve
2. TERM OF AGREEMENT
The Grantee shall complete the Project as outlined in the Grantee Application on or before November 30, 2010…
MONTEREY PENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Joseph Donofrio, General Manager
Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District
Parks, Open Space and Coastal Preservation Grant Program
Selected excerpts, as follows:
GUIDELINES
The MPRPD Parks, Open Space and Coastal Preservation Grant program was established to assist local public agencies and community groups with funding for improvements of community and neighborhood parks, open space and preservation of coastal areas. Funding for the program is from the MPRPD Parks, Open Space and Coastal Preservation Assessment District revenues. For FY 2007-08, a total of $100,000 is available for allocation to eligible projects.
Statement of Intent
The primary objective of the grant program is to provide funding for improvements or significant repairs/replacements at neighborhood community park facilities, and open space and coastal areas.
Priority consideration of community and neighborhood park and open space improvement projects that may be considered for funding include (but are not limited to) the following:
1. Projects that increase the safety of park users, particularly young children e.g. replacing older playground equipment with newer, safer equipment.
2. Projects that enhance ADA accessibility.
3. Projects that enhance public awareness and appreciation of parks, recreation and open space, such as trails, overlooks, benches, interpretive signage programs.
4. Projects that involve the acquisition of land that will be used for permanent public parks or open space.
5. Projects that enhance coastal preservation efforts.
COMMENTS:
• A footbridge spanning the gully on “Mission Vista,” just east of Serra Trail near the Rio Road entrance is critical to pedestrian access to Mission Vista and Doolittle Trail.
• With the financial resources of the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea (annual budgets $11- $12 million and reserve funds $8 - $10 million), this park infrastructure improvement should have been funded years ago from an annual budget. The Mission Trail Nature Preserve footbridge project illustrates our City Council’s philosophy of authorizing park infrastructure upgrades and improvements contingent on receipt of grants.
• Since the MPRPD only has $100,000 designated for the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District Parks, Open Space and Coastal Preservation Grant Program for FY 2007/08, the City can well afford to fund necessary and critical improvements to Mission Trail Nature Preserve from the city’s budget so that projects in less affluent cities can be realized in Monterey County.
REFERENCE:
City of Carmel-by-the-Sea
Fiscal Year 2007-08 Mid-Year Budget Adjustments
General Fund
EXPENDITURE ADJUSTMENTS (cont'd):
Department/Category: Capital Improvement
Account #: 01-87601
Adjustment: $5,000
Description: Mission Trails pedestrian footbridge
Vendor: Various
Notes: Mission Trails Park grant project funded by Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District. Matching funds needed for environmental review, other agency permits, foundation expenses.
(Source: January 8, 2008 Meeting Agenda, http://www.ci.carmel.ca.us/)
1 comment:
Finally! I agree the city should have built this footbridge long ago. There is no excuse with all the money our village has not to spend it on access in our parks. No excuse at all. Meanwhile, is the city clearing the trails of all the fallen tree trunks and branches? Let us know. Thank you.
Post a Comment