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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 5237 and 5238 - Westlake Park 2020 Amendment and CILP - RPAB MemoRPAB Memorandum REPORT TO: Recreation and Parks Advisory Board FROM: Addi Jadin – Parks Planning and Development Manager Mitch Overton – Director of Parks and Recreation SUBJECT: Resolution 5237 Westlake Park Master Plan Amendment and Resolution 5238 Gallatin Valley BMX and SouthWest Montana Mountain Bike Association Cash-in-Lieu of Parkland Funds for Westlake Park MEETING DATE: November 9, 2020 AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Action RECOMMENDATION: Recommend Approval of Resolution 5237 Westlake Park Master Plan Amendment and Resolution 5238 to allocate up to $193,500 in cash-in-lieu of parkland funds for BMX enhancements and utilities and grading phase of Westlake Park construction. RECOMMENDED MOTION 1: In consideration of the materials presented by staff and all public comment, I hereby recommend adoption of Resolution 5237 amending the Westlake Park Master Plan. RECOMMENDED MOTION 2: In consideration of the application materials, materials presented by staff and all public comment, I hereby recommend adopt Resolution 5238 allocating up to $193,500 in cash-in-lieu of parkland funds for BMX enhancements and utilities and grading phase of Westlake Park construction. BACKGROUND: Master Plan Amendment: On November 6, 2017 the City Commission approved Resolution 4811 adopting the Westlake Park Master Plan. The concept plan was initiated through funding by the Midtown Urban Renewal District as it relates to the buildout of the West Aspen Street “Festival Street” design and which terminates at the park’s west boundary. Diagonal parking along the N. 5th Avenue park frontage will benefit park users and the festival street businesses and patrons. As the Midtown Urban Renewal District began construction of the West Aspen Festival Street design in 2020 including the new parking and sidewalk along N. 5th Avenue, significant disruption within the park was anticipated, particularly to the dirt jump tracks currently maintained by SouthWest Montana Mountain Bike Association (SWMMBA). Additionally, Gallatin Valley BMX (GVBMX) was developing plans for their next round of park improvements including but not limited to new bleachers, a new announcer booth, and other maintenance and drainage projects. Over the course of the last year, Parks Division staff has met with the these user groups and others involved with the Children’s Memorial Garden to move forward with the appropriate round of improvements for the Westlake Park Master Plan. It became apparent that the concept location for the dirt jumps between BMX and the garden created a significant constriction for all groups. Placing the highest point of the dirt jump starting hill closest to the adjacent residential properties is undesirable as well. With those concerns at the forefront, a new location was chosen that roughly uses the same location for the tracks but shifted north and east. The new routes will be curved and there will be two starting hills to allow users with different levels to spread out. This new location will allow the dirt jump set to benefit from the shade provided by boulevard trees along N. 5th Avenue, will provide BMX’s expanding program a large, elevated Event Lawn immediately adjacent to their viewing area, and sustain the more intimate setting for families using the Children’s Memorial Garden. Cash-in-Lieu of Parkland Summary: The 2020 Westlake Park Cash-in-lieu of Parkland Application (Application) has been prepared by Gallatin Valley BMX and SWMMBA representatives with assistance from the Parks Division and input from the project engineers for the festival street, Sanderson Stewart. The primary elements of this proposed construction phase are to commence a formal design and permitting process, perform significant site grading using excess excavated material from the Midtown streets project, relocate utilities cutting through the park, resolve drainage issues and formalize the north end of the park that has historically seen illegal dumping. In addition, it will fund several smaller-scale improvements for GVBMX’s growing program. As shown in the Application, the grant partners have contributed significant amounts of volunteer labor within the park for several years and their commitment to in-kind labor has been and will continue to be a large value to the project (see “Project Estimate and Matching Contributions Summary” below). A second round of funding will be needed in addition to the Cash-in-lieu of Parkland in order to make the dirt jumps operable within a reasonable timeframe, construct them according to professional industry standards, and to provide additional support to GVBMX’s program for the benefit of the neighborhood and safety of users. These items are also outlined in the application materials as they will be submitted to the Midtown Urban Renewal Board for additional support in the late winter/spring of 2021. CILP Requirements: Section 38.420.030.F. of the Bozeman Municipal Code (Cash donation in-lieu of land dedication), states the following: 1. The city must use a cash donation for development or acquisition of parks to serve thedevelopment. 2. The city may use the cash donation to acquire or develop parks or recreational areaswithin its jurisdiction or for the purchase of public open space or conservation easements,only if: a. The park, recreational area, open space or conservation easement is within areasonably close proximity to the proposed development; and b. The city commission has formally adopted a citywide park plan that establishesthe needs and procedures for use of the cash donation. Because Westlake Park is classified as a Neighborhood/Special Use Park in the Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails Plan which is the city’s “formally adopted citywide park plan” and the outdoor recreational BMX and mountain bike courses located there serve the entire community, use of general cash-in-lieu of parkland (CILP) funding for this grant proposal is appropriate per 38.420.030.F.1 and 2. As stated in Chapter 7.5.1.14 of the Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails Plan (PROST), BMX is an important facility for teenagers though people of all ages. The same age demographic uses the mountain bike course. PROST defines the Recommended Level of Service for BMX at 1:30,000 and recommends an additional facility be created by 2020 in Table 7-10. Despite that, BMX has stated that this facility will serve their program growth for several years. Additionally, because discussions for a new mountain bike park (Bikefill) are in a very preliminary phase, it is important to invest in the existing facility, particularly while it has been disrupted in the first round of construction. According to grant criteria, the proposal must demonstrate that the improvements will: •add to the long-term benefit of the park and surrounding properties; •reflect the interests of, and have the support of, adjacent property owners; and •comply with the existing park master plan. Staff finds that the application does meet these criteria. As stated above, in the justification for the 2020 Westlake Park Master Plan Amendment and prior adoption, the buildout of Westlake Park will benefit not only the neighborhood but the entire community. Relocation of the mountain bike course to the northwest corner frees up space for BMX’s programming, provides additional serenity at the Children’s Memorial Garden and puts the highest point of the facility internal to the park/at the streetscape rather than immediately adjacent to residential properties. A detailed description of project cost and funding sources is provided within the application. The total estimated cost of this phase of construction is $279,530 with $193,500 being requested for Cash-in-lieu of Parkland with the remainder being in-kind contributions and funding from City Forestry. The Parks Division has coordinated with the user groups and neighbors as described above. Project Estimate and Matching Contributions Summary: Project Elements to be Funded by Cash-in-Lieu of Parkland Park Design, Site Plan Application, Estimate of Probable Costs $ 23,000.00 Park Irrigation and Utilies Work $ 37,500.00 Subtotal $ 60,500.00 SWMMBA Strip Existing Dirt Jump Clay / Re-Grade $ 10,400.00 SWMMBA Machine Rental $ 20,600.00 SWMMBA Storm pond/drainage $ 20,000.00 SWMMBA Starting hill/loading ramp $ 20,000.00 Subtotal $ 71,000.00 BMX Bleacher pads and replacements $ 24,000.00 BMX Announcer Booth $ 5,000.00 BMX Soil Tac (maintenance) $6,400 BMX Track Drainage $9,000 Subtotal $ 44,400.00 TOTAL $ 175,900.00 10% contingency $ 17,600.00 CASH-IN-LIEU OF PARKLAND REQUEST $ 193,500.00 Matching Contributions from Project Partners SMMMBA In kind labor, design work, materials $ 28,710.00 BMX In kind labor and materials $ 47,320.00 Forestry Boulevard Trees (20) $ 10,000.00 Subtotal $ 86,030.00 PROJECT VALUE $ 279,530.00 UNRESOLVED ISSUES: None. ALTERNATIVES: Per Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. FISCAL EFFECTS: An allocation of $193,500 amounts to 17.86% of the existing cash-in-lieu of parkland fund balance. The funding will use all of the remaining CILP from Midtown Urban Renewal District projects ($35,308.68) and the remaining funding will be applied from city-wide CILP funding. The remaining balance, if Resolution 5238 is approved, would be $883,444.98. Matching contribution from project partners amounts to 31% of total project value. ATTACHMENTS: Resolution 5237 Westlake Park Master Plan Amendment Resolution 5238 GVBMX and SWMMBA Cash-in-lieu of Parkland Application 2020 Westlake Park CILP Application Report compiled: November 9, 2020 COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 5237 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA, ADOPTING THE 2020 AMENDMENT TO THE WESTLAKE PARK MASTER PLAN WHEREAS, the Bozeman Municipal Code Section 26.02.220 states, “the Commission shall authorize any conceptual changes, new development, or redevelopment aspects of changes in all city parks proposed by the staff;” and WHEREAS, Section 1.8.2 of the Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails (PROST) Plan delineates a process for preparing and amending park master plans; and WHEREAS, the PROST Plan states, “the Parks Division will prepare a resolution formally adopting the new or amended park master plan and schedule the item for City Commission’s Consent Agenda;” and WHEREAS, the Commission approved Resolution 4811 adopting the Westlake Park Master Plan at their public meeting on November 6, 2017; and WHEREAS, upon commencement of Site Plan preparation certain significant plan elements have been rearranged to accommodate growing programs, privacy of residential neighbors, and user group collaboration; and WHEREAS, no significant park features have been removed from the originally adopted Master Plan; and WHEREAS, the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board unanimously recommended approval of the 2020 Amendment to the Westlake Park Master Plan at their regular meeting of November 9, 2020; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Commission of the City of Bozeman, Montana, that Section 1 Authority. The 2020 Amendment to the Westlake Park Master Plan (“Exhibit A”) is hereby adopted, in accordance with Section 1.8.2 of the Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails (PROST) Plan and Section 26.02.220 of the Bozeman Municipal Code. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Commission of the City of Bozeman, Montana, at a regular session thereof held on the _____ day of ________, 2020. ___________________________________ CYNDI ANDRUS Mayor ATTEST: ________________________________________ MIKE MAAS City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: ___________________________________ GREG SULLIVAN City Attorney MARCH 2017 Westlake BMX Park Conceptual Master Plan Bozeman, Montana CONCEPT MASTER PLAN ELEMENTS BMX track area Small playground Restroom building Dirt Concern Free Style area Community Garden Children’s Memorial Garden Additional tree plantings Stormwater detention Paths and sidewalks Street trees Parking for +/- 30 cars 24’x24’ picnic shelter, shade structures Relationships between uses Connection to Aspen Street Relationship to adjacent land uses Concept grading NORTH 20 10 0 SCALE: 1"=20' 20 40 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Exhibit A: Resolution 5237 2020 Amendment WESTLAKE PARK MASTER PLAN NARRATIVE INTRODUCTION Westlake Park was created in 1973 as part of the Westlake's Fourth Subdivision to the City of Bozeman. The 5.9-acre park is located on the southwest corner of North Fifth Avenue and West Tamarack Street and is within the Midtown Urban Renewal District. The District Plan, adopted in November 2015, identified the park as an opportunity to further enhance public activity centers within the Midtown Area. In response, the Midtown Urban Renewal Board partnered with the City of Bozeman Parks Department to share the cost of the developing the master plan. There are multiple user groups engaged in activities in the park, with the largest being the Gallatin Valley B:M:X (GVBMX). For over 30 years, Gallatin Valley BMX has been building and improving the BMX course. The club maintains a BMX course that is sanctioned by the International BMX Association for green, blue and black courses. They have a user agreement with the Parks Department, which includes an annual fee paid to the City of Bozeman for use of the park. Other uses and user groups within the park include the Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association (SWMMBA), who helped build and maintain the mountain bike skills area, a community garden site managed by the Recreation Division, and the Children's Memorial Garden, originally installed by volunteers. In addition to these uses, the City of Bozeman Parks and Recreation Department had identified a need for the following elements: Parking for approximately 30 vehicles Restroom and concession / storage building Accessible playground Picnic tables and pavilion PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT - Original Plan Adoption The development of the master plan included a preliminary meeting with users of the park in December 2016, followed by a series of three public meetings. An online smvey was also posted. The GVBMX group identified the follmving planned or wished-for improvements to the BMX venue: A four-foot high chain link fence to keep spectators and dogs off the course during events for safety and to close the course in muddy conditions Flag poles -two or three in prominent locations A removable shade strncture at the start of the course Additional viewing areas on the north edge of the BMX course A multi-pmpose building, with restrooms, two window counters ( one for regisuy and one for concessions), and a storage room with a double door or roll up entry six feet wide for storage of event and park maintenance equipment and supplies Area for shade tents for weekend events Area for food uucks to park for weekend events 1 AMENDED 2020 Discussions regarding the mountain bike course focused on future plans and opportunities for the site. The potential to move the SWMMBA venue/ course to the east of its present location to fit alongside and between the BMX Course and the Children's Memorial Garden was discussed with the group. This would leave a triangular space in the northwest quadrant of the park, which could become an informal play /viewing/ activity space. The group was open to the idea of relocating the mountain bike course and creating a new course, to be built by SWMMBA. Two public meetings were held to review a draft of the master plan. The first meeting was held January 31, 2017 with approximately 20 people attending. The second meeting was held March 29, 2017 with mainly the board members. In addition to the public meetings, an online survey was posted on the City of Bozeman website. Approximately 70 people completed the survey and provided comments on the plan. Based on comments received at the public meetings and online, the master plan was revised to reflect a consensus of ideas for the future of the park. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT - Amendment Over the summer of 2020, Parks Division staff met with the the biking groups and volunteers involved with the Children’s Memorial Garden including neighborhood representatives and the Compassionate Friends to move forward with the appropriate phase of improvements for the Westlake Park Master Plan upon completion of N. 5th Avenue parking installation. It became apparent that the concept location for the dirt jumps between BMX and the garden created a significant constriction for all groups. Placing the highest point of the dirt jump starting hill closest to the adjacent residential properties is undesirable as well. With those concerns at the forefront, a new location was chosen that roughly uses the same location for the tracks but shifted north and east. The new routes will be curved and there will be two starting hills to allow users with different levels to spread out. This new location will allow the dirt jump set to benefit from the shade provided by boulevard trees along N. 5th Avenue, will provide BMX’s expanding program an elevated Event Lawn immediately adjacent to their viewing area, and sustain the more intimate setting for families using the Children’s Memorial Garden. PLAN ELEMENTS The goal of the master planning process was to improve the park for the existing users while adding amenities for nearby residents and future visitors to Midtown. The master plan enhances the existing uses and provides improved connectivity within and to surrounding neighborhoods. The relocation of the mountain bike course creates an opportunity for a small plaza to be created adjacent to North Fifth Avenue, across from the intersection of Aspen Street. Working toward the urban renewal goal to create an active public space within the Midtown District, the plaza will act as a physical connection between the commercial and recreational areas of the District. To maximize park space, an on-site parking lot was dismissed in favor of providing additional on-street parking adjacent to the park. Back-in, angled parking was constructed along N. 5th Avenue with funding provided by the Midtown Urban Renewal District in 2020. The elevated open lawn area north of the BMX course will provide a flexible space for biking group events or for use as a small market, festival, or performance venue. Concerns from neighbors about excessive noise would need to be respected, however. The Parks Department will monitor the use of loudspeakers and amplifiers to ensure neighboring properties are not unduly affected. Additional tree plantings will provide shade and enhance buffering of noisy activities. 2 The proposed multi-use building will contain restrooms, concession space and maintenance / storage areas. A concrete path from North Fifth Avenue will provide barrier-free and service access to the building. Space or spectator viewing and event staging is provided in several locations of the park, as requested by the user groups. A small playground is proposed to be located near the restroom / concession building, which will serve area residents and those visiting the park. The remaining uses of the park, the community garden space and the Children's Memorial Garden will remain in their current locations. Access to these areas will be improved with additional path connections. An ADA parking access is proposed on the northeast portion of the property and a pathway running through the park east-west will double as both a shared--use path and maintenance/emergency access for the Parks and Rec Department and bike courses. PHASING The park improvements shown on the master plan will likely be completed in phases, depending upon available funding. Improvements to the BMX course will be completed by GVBMX in accordance with their fundraising abilities and requirements to maintain course certification. Relocation of the mountain bike course will need to occur in order for improvements in the north half of the park to be completed. Much of this work can be completed by SWMMBA volunteers. Improvements to the frontage along North Fifth Avenue, including the parking, relocated sidewalk and entry plaza would be the first priority in creating a safe and welcoming access into the park. The Restroom / concession building and the playground would be likely a second phase to the park development. Improvements to the community garden and Children's Memorial Garden will be facilitated by the Parks Department and completed with volunteers. The picnic pavilion could be installed at any point, but is a lower priority for the user groups at this time. BOZEMAN MT Parks & Recreation URBAN RENEWAL BOARD SANDERSON e STEWART 3 COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 5238 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA, APPROVING THE ALLOCATION OF CASH-IN-LIEU OF PARKLAND DEDICATION FUNDS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO WESTLAKE PARK WHEREAS, Gallatin Valley BMX and SouthWest Montana Mountain Bike Association have submitted an application for the use of cash-in-lieu of parkland dedication funds for BMX enhancements and utilities and grading phase of Westlake Park construction; and WHEREAS, the current balance within the city-wide cash-in-lieu of parkland dedication fund is $1,083,444.98 per Finance Department and Parks Division records; and WHEREAS, Section 38.27.030 (F.)(1.) of the Bozeman Municipal Code, (“Cash Donation in lieu of Land Dedication”) specifies criteria for which these funds may be utilized; and WHEREAS, the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board at their regular meeting of November 12, 2020 unanimously passed a motion recommending that the Commission approve the allocation of $193,500 from the cash-in-lieu of parkland dedication account to the 2020 Westlake Park project; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Commission of the City of Bozeman, Montana, Section 1 – Municipal Code Reference In accordance with Section 38.420.030.F. of the Bozeman Municipal Code, the source of cash-in-lieu of parkland dedication funding is appropriate for the items outlined in the staff memo and the 2020 Westlake Park Cash-in-lieu of Parkland Applicant; and Section 2 – Funding Authorization The allocation of $193,500.00 from the cash-in-lieu of parkland dedication account is hereby approved for the 2020 Westlake Park Cash-in-lieu of Parkland Application. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Commission of the City of Bozeman, Montana, at a regular session thereof held on the ___________day of November, 2020. ___________________________________ CYNDI ANDRUS Mayor ATTEST: ________________________________________ MIKE MAAS City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: ___________________________________ GREG SULLIVAN City Attorney