Riprow Valley Rec Trails GrantMEMORANDUM
December 11, 2001
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Grant Application for Recreational Trail Funds for Land Acquisition for the
Riprow Valley Restoration Project
Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens recommends approval of the submission of
a grant application for Recreational Trail Funds to the Iowa Department of
Transportation in the amount of $247,096 for funding for the acquisition of land for the
Riprew Valley Recreational Area.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
December 10, 2001
TO:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM:
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
SUBJECT: Grant Application for Recreational Trail Funds for Land Acquisition
for the Riprow Valley Restoration Project
INTRODUCTION
This memo transmits for City Council approval the submission of a grant application to
the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) for Recreational Trail Funds for the
acquisition of land for the Riprow Valley Recreation Project. A map and resolution are
attached for City Council consideration.
DISCUSSION
The grant monies will be used for the acquisition of property for the Riprow Valley
Recreation Project. The project includes the redevelopment of the 7-acre site of the
City's former water pollution control plant into a prairie area with trails connecting to the
Mines of Spain and a picnic area with a parking lot, in partnership with the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources. The project also includes the acquisition of 18 acres
of the former Koch Materials Sulfur Production Plant, of which 0.67 of an acre borders
the Mississippi, 5.68 acres are bluffiands of the Riprow Valley, and 11.31 acres are in
the center of the Riprow Valley. The Dubuque Girls Independent Softball League is
planning to develop the 11.31-acre site for softball fields.
This specific grant application is for acquisition of the bluffiands and dverfront parcels.
The 5.68-acre blufflands site will provide a trailhead for the extension of Heritage Trail
along Julien Dubuque Drive in the next year. The trailhead will include a paved parking
lot for trail users. The 0.67-acre dverfront parcel will be used when the Heritage Trail
Riverfront System can be extended from the existing floodwall path south of the Ice
Harbor to Julien Dubuque Drive in the long-term.
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Recreational Trails Fund Grant Application
Page 2
BUDGETIMPACT
The Recreational Trail Fund requires a 25% match of non-federal funds. About one-
fourth of the private donations of $240,000 pledged by eight guarantors for the
acquisition of land for the Riprow Valley Recreation Project will be used as matching
funds. The total value of the land to be acquired for this grant is $247,096. The grant
amount requested is $185,322 and the match amount is $61,774.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached resolution authorizing
submission of the Recreational Trail Funds to the IDOT in the amount of $247,096 for
funding of the acquisition of land for the Riprow Valley Recreational Area.
Attachments
Gil Spence, Leisure Services Manager, w/attachments
Mike Koch, Public Works Director, w/attachments
Mike Felderman, Civil Engineer, w/attachments
Isesterhenn/rectrai[s/1 ~02-mem0.doc
RESOLUTION NO. 535-01
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE IOWA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR RECREATIONAL TRAILS
FUNDS FOR ACQUISITION OF LAND IN THE RIPROW VALLEY
VVhereas, the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) has Recreational Trails
funds available to develop recreational trails in cities; and
Whereas, the City of Dubuque has adopted a Comprehensive Plan and a
Riverfront Plan that include goals for development of bike/hike trails; and
Whereas, the City of Dubuque has adopted the Heritage Trail Master Plan that
includes the Heritage Trail Extension through the Riprow Valley.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the Planning Services Manager is hereby authorized to sign and
submit this application for Recreational Trails funds to the IDOT for acquisition of
property for bluffiand protection and a trailhead connection for the Heritage Trail
Extension through the Riprow Valley, on behalf of the City of Dubuque.
Section 2. That the City of Dubuque agrees to adequately maintain the property
for its intended use and maintain the total trail used to justify the project in public
use for a minimum of 20 years following project completion.
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
Passed, approved and adopted this 17th day of December, 2001.
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
tsest~rhenn/rectrails/1-02-res.doc