To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Shannon Carter, Director, Open Spaces
Prepared By:
prepared
Brett Collins, Grants and Acquisitions Manager, Open Spaces
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Subject:
title
A resolution to authorize additional funding to complete the South Platte Working Group Implementation Plan
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The Board of County Commissioners is requested to adopt a resolution authorizing $50,000 in Open Space Acquisition and Development funds to complete the South Platte River Implementation Plan.
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Background and Discussion: In 2018, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved up to $125,000 for the South Platte River Implementation Plan. The plan has progressed slowly but is nearing completion. The goals of the Implementation Plan are to Create a concept design that embraces a holistic approach to the entire river while maintaining flood conveyance, improving river health, enhancing water-based recreation, and improving the quality of life for adjacent communities through access to the river and economic development opportunities; Seek categorical approval of concept design by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to streamline the regulatory approval process required to implement river projects, which will reduce the cost and time required for such approvals; Develop budgets for identified river projects for planning and fundraising purposes; and Present a strategy for implementation that identifies projects with the highest value to the river and community, phasing, and schedule.
To complete the plan, additional funding is needed. The additional funding needed is a result of requirements discovered through the permitting process with the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers (Corp.). Due to the scale of this large river project, the Corp. will require more coordination, additional flood hydrology mapping, vegetation management, team meetings, and stakeholder engagement not originally anticipated
Mile High Flood Control District is contracted with Merrick and Company for the implementation plan and is asking Arapahoe County to partner with them on the additional costs to complete the plan estimated at $100,000. The original plan cost was $350,000 and was funded by Arapahoe County Open Spaces ($125,000), Urban Drainage and Flood Control District ($105,000), City of Englewood ($30,000), City of Sheridan ($30,000), City of Littleton ($30,000), and South Suburban ($30,000).
Mile High proposes the County and Mile High split the funds needed to keep the project moving forward. Staff supports this proposal because it would prolong the project if we ask each agency for a small amount of funding. We would lose momentum with the Corp. waiting on a budget by each agency with no guarantee of approval.
Alternatives: Delay, modify, or deny funding.
Fiscal Impact: County funding of $50,000 will come from the Open Space Acquisition and Development Fund. The fund balance exceeds this amount.
Alignment with Strategic Plan:
☐Be fiscally sustainable
☐Provide essential and mandated service
☒Be community focused
Concurrence: The Open Space and Trails Advisory Board recommended the original plan for Board approval on October 22, 2018.
Resolution: See attached.