Agenda Date: 04/03/2018
Subject:
Title
A resolution supporting an application by the city on behalf of Littleton Public Schools for an Arapahoe County Open Space grant for playground improvements at Field Elementary School
Body
|
Presented By: |
Keith Reester, Public Works Director |
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION:
Does city council support submitting an application on behalf of Littleton Public Schools (LPS) for playground improvements at Field Elementary School?
BACKGROUND:
City council has partnered with LPS to address playground improvements at Euclid Middle School, and Centennial and Damon Runyon Elementary Schools, providing $50,000 in matching funds to each project and submitting grant applications on behalf of LPS. This project continues that trend and partnership. Staff proposes to address playground improvements at Field Elementary School through a grant application to Arapahoe County Open Space.
Although Field Elementary School is located outside the city limits of Littleton, the current enrollment in the school consists of 288 homes within the city limits of Littleton out of 308 total families enrolled. City of Littleton residents comprise 93.51% of the students currently enrolled in Field Elementary School.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
None.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The city recognizes the role of school playgrounds in providing community recreation areas. In some instances, school playgrounds serve as the closest “parks” for children and their families to recreate and play.
LPS is not an eligible applicant for Arapahoe County Open Space Funds, but Arapahoe County allows the city to apply on behalf of LPS. Should the grant request be funded, the city will provide $50,000 in funds toward the project. LPS staff will administer the project and prepare all reports for Arapahoe County. The city acts as a pass-through administrator for the project reviewing and submitting the reports that LPS prepares for the county. The city staff will review and sign the reports prior to submission to Arapahoe County Open Space.
As a condition of the grant, council will be asked to approve a public use agreement with Littleton Public Schools for the playground at Field Elementary School, ensuring the playground is available to the public outside of school use.
OPTIONS/ALTERNATIVES:
If approval is given for the grant application, the playground equipment at Field Elementary School will be replaced. If approval is denied, the playground equipment will not be replaced.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The grant application requires a 25% cash match. The total project cost will be $385,942. Field Elementary School’s match will be $10,000, LPS Operation’s match will be $38,000, and the city’s match will be $50,000, for a total match of $98,000. The grant request is for $287,942.
It is anticipated that a supplemental budget appropriation will be presented to council during the second quarter of 2018 to appropriate the city’s match of $50,000 from the Open Space Fund, as well as the grant amount of $287,942 from Arapahoe County. The estimated ending fund balance for the Open Space Fund at the end of 2018 is $2,139,800. There is adequate fund balance in the Open Space Fund for this matching grant.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve the resolution supporting an application by the city on behalf of Littleton Public Schools for an Arapahoe County Open Space grant for playground improvements at Field Elementary School.