ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from the City Manager and the Director of Public Works with the following Request:
A. APPROVE a Memorandum of Understanding with the NATIONAL RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION to Accept a Grant, in the Amount of $150,000.00, to Plan and Build Peoria GreenSplash Water Play Park. (Council District 1)
B. ADOPT an ORDINANCE Amending the CITY OF PEORIA 2017 AMENDED ANNUAL BUDGET CAPITAL FUND Relating to the Receipt of a Grant from the AMERICAN WATER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION and the NATIONAL PARK AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION, in the Amount of $150,000.00, for the Construction of a New Public Park called PEORIA GREENSPLASH.
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BACKGROUND: The City of Peoria has been selected as a Building Better Communities grant recipient from the American Water Charitable Foundation and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Peoria is one of three communities awarded this grant in 2017.
The $150,000.00 grant will be used to build a new public park near Harrison Primary School, called Peoria GreenSplash. The new water play feature will drain into a bioswale, providing children an opportunity to play in the water, while learning about the value of water. The project will be a collaboration among the American Water Charitable Foundation, NRPA, Illinois American Water, and the City of Peoria.
Community parks like Peoria GreenSplash are vital for connecting children to nature. Nature-based play areas foster an appreciation for environmental stewardship, while providing opportunities for physical activity. In Peoria, community members will benefit by playing in clean water and learning about native plants, the natural water cycle, and environmental stewardship.
Attachments to this communication include the Memorandum of Understanding, Grant Application, and Budget Amendment.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: No matching funds are required. Other, outside funding may be available if needed.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: The planning process for this project will include neighborhood residents and businesses, neighborhood groups, Peoria Public Schools, Peoria Park District, Illinois American Water, NRPA, and other interested parties.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The grant project will proceed.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The grant project will not proceed.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Attractive Neighborhoods with Character: Safe and Livable
2. Grow Peoria: Businesses, Jobs, and Population
3. Financially Sound City Government, Effective City Organization
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
2. Improve District 150.
3. Keep taxes and fees competitive.
DEPARTMENT: Public Works