Department of Parks and Recreation
Reference: Adams County Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Grant for the HSV Target Property #1
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Jane Bais DiSessa, City Manager
Marv Falconburg, Deputy City Manager
Prepared By: Mark Heidt, Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation Development and City’s Bicycle Program Coordinator
Through: Travis Haines, Director of Parks and Recreation
Date Prepared: August 5, 2021
PURPOSE
A Resolution authorizing the City of Brighton enter into a Grant Agreement with Adams County, for grant funding in the amount not to exceed $2,500,000.00 for the “HSV Target Property #1”; acknowledging the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) matching grant funding of $1,527,000.00; acknowledging the Private Conservation Buyer’s match of $2,950,000.00; authorizing the City’s matching obligation of $1,713,000.00; and authorizing the City Manager to sign and execute the Grant Agreement.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
Facilities, Amenities, and Open Space
BACKGROUND
The “HSV Target Property #1” is a farmland acquisition in the Historic Splendid Valley located in south Brighton. The Parks and Recreation Department Staff and Conservation Trust have been meeting with the land owner of this farmland property. The Splendid Valley District Plan shows this property within the boundary of the District.
The total cost for the HSV Target Property #1 is estimated at $8,690,000.00. This acquisition project is the combination of this grant request, GOCO matching grant funding, a Private Conservation Buyer matching funds, and the City’s matching funds. This Adams County Open Space Passive Grant funding of $2,500,000.00 (28.8% of total) matches GOCO grant funding of $1,527,000.00 (17.6% of total), a Private Conservation Buyer match of $2,950,000.00 (33.9% if total), and the City’s cash match of $1,713,000.00 (19.7% of total). The City has budgeted the match of $1,713,000.00 in the 2021 Recreation Capital (Open Space Acquisitions) budget.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the Agreement and has found it to be acceptable and that the terms are reasonable. The attached Resolution allows the City of Brighton, through the City Council to enter into the Agreement with Adams County and to allow the City Manager to sign and execute the Grant Agreement.
CRITERIA BY WHICH COUNCIL MUST CONSIDER THE ITEM
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Signing the Grant Agreement with Adams County will allow the City of Brighton to receive $2,500,000.00 in grant funding that will be used for the acquisition of the HSV Target Property #1. The City’s match is already within the 2021 Budget. In addition to GOCO and a Private Conservation Buyer, Adams County becomes a funding partner through this grant funding. This allows the City of Brighton to spend less money to acquire the HSV Target Property #1.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Awarded Adams County Open Space Passive Grant funds of $2,500,000.00 will be used for the acquisition of the HSV Target Property #1. GOCO funding is in the amount of $1,527,000.00. The Private Conservation Buyer funding is in the amount of $2,950,000.00. The City has budgeted a match of $1,713,000.00 in the 2021 Parks and Recreation Capital Budget. The total project is estimated to be $8,690,000.00
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that City Council approve the Resolution authorizing the City of Brighton enter into a Grant Agreement with Adams County, for grant funding in the amount not to exceed $2,500,000.00 for the “HSV Target Property #1”; acknowledging the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) matching grant funding of $1,527,000.00; acknowledging the Private Conservation Buyer’s match of $2,950,000.00; authorizing the City’s matching obligation of $1,713,000.00; and authorizing the City Manager to sign and execute the Grant Agreement.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
• Approve the Resolution, or
• Deny the Resolution.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution