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Intent to Apply for AI B/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground UpCity of Dubuque City Council Meeting Consent Items # 5. Copyrighted December 20, 2021 ITEM TITLE: Intent to Apply for AlB/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up SUMMARY: City Manager recommending approval to apply for an Al B/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up grant in the amount of $25,000. SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve DISPOSITION: FIN aLN:ILy,121zk ] Description Type Al B/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up-MVM City Manager Memo Memo Staff memo Grant Application Staff Memo Supporting Documentation THE CITY DUOF B TEE Masterpiece on the Mississippi TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Intent to Apply for AIB/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up DATE: December 6, 2021 Dubuque All -America City IN 2007.2012.2013 2017*2019 Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware requests City Council approval to apply for an AIB/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up grant in the amount of $25,000. The $30,202 match amount will be funded from the Relmagine Comiskey CIP funding currently in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget. CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up supports collaborative community greening projects that enhance landscapes in communities neighboring CN rail lines The grant will be used for trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, bio-basin plugs and native prairie seed and their installation at Comiskey Park. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. Mic ael C. Van Milligen MCVM:jh Attachment cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager Marie Ware, Leisure Services Manager THE CITY OF Dubuque D��rkt GIC} Taste icce on the Mississippi20 -2013 � 12019 �01� 1717* TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager FROM: Marie Ware, Leisure Services Manager SUBJECT: Intent to apply for AIB/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up DATE: 12/2/2021 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this memorandum is to request approval to apply for AIB/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up. Anticipated Amount: $25,000.00 Match Required: Yes Match Funding Source: Relmagine Comiskey CIP funding currently in FY 22 budget Match Amount: $30,202.00 Application Due Date: 12/1/2021 Anticipated Notification Date: 12/31/2021 Anticipated Receipt of money: 12/1/2022 Departments Involved: Leisure Services GRANT OBJECTIVE CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up supports collaborative community greening projects that enhance landscapes in communities neighboring CN rail lines to meet the following objectives: Enhance the quality of life in cities, villages, and townships. Promote public health benefits through the proper planting and care of trees and plants. Ensure that community landscapes provide ecosystem services — clean air and water, increased property values, reduced erosion and stormwater runoff, wildlife habitat, moderated temperatures, lessened energy demands, and year-round enjoyment. Enhance community tree canopy by properly planting diverse, quality trees for long-term sustainability and resistance to future pests. Beautify community gateways and create significant landscapes demonstrating the contribution of flowers and plants to growing community pride and economic vitality. Leverage CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up grant support to catalyze strong and enduring community partnerships to undertake and sustain community greening efforts. Provide opportunities for CN and its neighbors to work together towards shared goals of environmental stewardship. Support long-term community greening through ongoing involvement in America in Bloom. There is not a future opportunity to reapply for these funds, at this time. GOAL(S) ADDRESSED Council Goal: Diverse Arts, Culture, Parks, and Recreation: Experiences and Activities Outcome(s) Have well-built, well -maintained and upgraded parks and park amenities Value(s) Access to quality parks, facilities and park amenities for all ACTION STEP I am requesting approval of the application for AIB/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up. CC: Jennifer Larson, Director of Budget and Finance Nathan Kelleher, Budget/Financial Analyst MW/mw AIB/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up Grant CN,+ M Grant Proposal Submission Prc EEL Marne Ro-lmar*-sr Ca-ftkQV Park AmounL Requested (up La S75,OM). Eyler wilhaul symhds. EKarnple: 250M Name ai organixalionlenliLyr sLbmiWng proposal -Oipor Dub.ym UWsuro Srw was Your Namc Mau F— - r L Lr Your lift L,dsuo sQ%kos Ills-aga- Address II-f" HI lid L'�„r� ,�der�oa L,ti e DrbrAuo b� Cih SYYi 14-t F-M.W- Y 1 Uhr 7 BL71M IbY�2pC� {`fir �Phune Number 'Email' ' Please indicaLe Ihr Lype of arganimfiDnhnliLyr sLbrnitGng proposal 1 Hd RM-rd% LcK:al Comm W G'ayp "cvss Impru.onwtAroa Mar 1 AIB/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up Grant Collaboration: If this application is being submitted in collaboration with another group(s), please list and explain. The City of Dubuque, Iowa has partnered with the National Parks Service through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program to renovate and expand the existing Comiskey Park in the north -end neighborhood of Dubuque, Iowa. The city utilized this program to develop a master plan for the park to include new amenities and a natural area for both storm water control and nature interpretation. The expansion and re -development plan totals over $1.6 million dollars of which this project is a small portion of that. The city has also partnered with the Wellmark Foundation to assist with funding the Re -imagine Comiskey Park project. The Wellmark Foundation focuses on the development of a healthier lifestyle through healthy eating and exercise. The Wellmark grant will expand the recreation facilities in the park to encourage outdoor activities for youth in the area. Estimated # of Trees — 15 Estimated # of Shrubs, flowers — 1485 plus approx. 1/2 acre native flower and grass seed mix Species List: Trees — Sugar Maple, Ohio Buckeye, Swamp White Oak, Locust, Hackberry, Red Oak, Bitternut Hickory, American Elm, Sycamore Shrubs — Service Berry, Silky Dogwood, Highbush Cranberry Native Flowers — Black -Eyed Susan, Canadian Milkvetch, Butterfly Weed, Gray -headed Coneflower, Purple Prairie Clover, Common Spiderwort, Prairie Blazingstar, Wild Bergamot, Stiff Goldenrod, Prairie Mimosa, Ironweed, Prairie Cinquefoil, Round -headed Bushclover, Golden Alexanders, Beardtongue, Rattlesnake Master, Swamp Milkweed, Culvers Root, White Wild Indigo, New England Aster. Native seed mix -- Nodding Onion, Leadplant, Butterfly Weed, Sky Blue Aster, Smooth Blue Aster, New England Aster, Partridge Pea, Prairie Coreopsis, White Prairie Clover, Purple Prairie Clover, Pale Purple Coneflower, Purple Coneflower, Rattlesnake Master, Early Sunflower, Prairie Blazing Star, Wild Bergamot, Foxglove Beard Tongue, Prairie Cinquefoil, Mountain Mint, Yellow Coneflower, Black -Eyed Susan, Sweet Black - Eyed Susan, Compass Plant, Showy Goldenrod, Ohio Spiderwort, Culver's Root Native Grasses — Little Blue Stem, Prairie Dropseed, Virginia Wildrye, Prairie June Grass, Fox Sedge, Composite Dropseed, Big Bluestem, Indiangrass. Native Grass Seed -- Side Oats Gramma, Copper -Shouldered Sedge, Canadian Wild Rye, Virginia Wild Rye, June Grass, Little Bluestem Proposed Project: Describe the proposed project in detail. Please explain how assistance from CN EcoConnexions — From the Ground Up grant program will enhance your communities environmental, social health and well being. The City of Dubuque, Iowa is currently working to expand and redevelop the existing Comiskey Park located in the north -end of Dubuque. This city park serves the historic Washington and North End neighborhoods. This area of Dubuque is characterized by older buildings with 2 AIB/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up Grant densely developed commercial and residential structures built on small lots served by alleys. The majority of the residents in this area are low to moderate income and are the most diverse racially and ethnically than any other area in the city. The city has recently expanded the existing 3.74-acre park with an additional 1.95 acres bringing the parks total acres to 5.69 acres. With this expansion the city has committed to redevelop the park with new amenities and incorporate green natural areas, trees and more within the re -imagined park setting. This project is important to the environment, social health and well-being specifically of this neighborhood. The Dubuque County 2019-21 Community Health Needs Assessment Health Improvement Plan (CHNA-HIP) identified Dubuque County has 42% of adults characterized as obese and 24% are physically inactive. One goal established is to improve physical activity opportunities/ environments. Families located in Dubuque County census tracts 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 where Comiskey serves are economically distressed. Median household incomes range from $23,109-$41,868 which is well below the national & state levels. Poverty ranges from 19.6- 31.2% compared to Iowa rate of 12.6%. Unemployment is elevated up to 7.5%. Residents near Comiskey Park also suffer from poor mobility; approximately 25% of workers 16 years and older have no access to a vehicle. The area surrounding Comiskey Park is disproportionately minority and low-income. Minority rates are 25.2-30.7%, compared to 9.5% in Dubuque. A high percentage of residents living near Comiskey Park rely upon Food Stamps and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (32.2% nearly three times higher than the 12.7% city-wide rate). The Park is heavily used by the neighborhood on a year-round basis. Even on nice days in the winter park patrons are out enjoying this open space. The homes have no yards in the front or back of the house. The Park is their yard. The Park serves up to 8,180 people per square mile creating competing demands among neighborhood residents. The Park is important to the health and social aspects of the neighborhood. The current state of the park can be described as "loved to death". The high usage over the years and tired landscape are such that it became an urban park in need of a total makeover. Critical to the planning process for the re -imagined Comiskey Park was to involve the local community in the planning process. Over the course of 12 months, seven focus group discussions were held throughout the Washington and North End neighborhoods to gain feedback from what the local citizenry wanted or expected to see at Comiskey Park. Surveys were promoted allowing individuals to weigh in on what they wanted to see in the park. Member of the Marshallese community that live in the neighborhood were among several that represented minority group input into the planning. The engagement process branded Re - Imagine Comiskey and included neighborhood groups and local neighboring support non-profit organizations plus local officials from the Department of Leisure Services, Engineering, Human Rights groups, and Planning. Another critical component in the planning process was to include discussion and ideas from local youth. One component in the planning process was a PARKitecture Workshop held at one of the local elementary schools. The event included music, dance and fun activities targeting local youth to obtain feedback on their thought process for the local neighborhood and what they want to see and experience in Comiskey Park. Input was also sought from school children in neighboring schools. The information gathered from the public input events was incorporated into a master plan for Comiskey Park and presented to the City Council for approval in April 2021. The master plan is 3 AIB/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up Grant a plan that reflects not what we as a city want to see in the park but rather what the families and children that live in these neighborhoods want in their park. The design for the new Comiskey Park includes a natural areas component in the master plan. This concept really has a two -fold approach in the master plan for Comiskey Park. The parks expansion of Comiskey Park allows for additional acres to be incorporated into the storm water flood mitigation protection project the City of Dubuque has been working on for over 10 years. The expansion of Comiskey Park will also include amenities to address the water system management which will positively affect Bee Branch Creek nearby. This project includes as bio containment area for storm water retention. The Park redevelopment will include adding native plants to this bio-swale and nature interpretation of the plants and animals utilizing the natural area. The second feature included in the master plan development of Comiskey Park is to include natural landscapes into the park. This will include a native plant prairie area incorporating native prairie grasses and flowers to provide an attractive color mosaic throughout the growing season and a site for local interpretation of plants and animals utilizing the prairie area. This natural area will be unique within the Washington/North End Neighborhoods of Dubuque and will provide an opportunity for this urban environment and the citizens within it to experience a bit of wildness in urban Dubuque. The Re -Imagined Comiskey Park will also contain the more typical components of a new basketball courts, splashpad, playground, paved trail system, 2 pavilions, ball/soccer field with amenities to serve all those components. All the elements of the plan are what was shared during the public input processes. Those participants in the planning processes are so looking forward to this project. They are proud of the input given and to see their ideas incorporated into the plans and this project. The sense of pride in Re -Imagined Comiskey continues to grow. Community Involvement: Describe how your community will be involved in the program, including planning, design, construction, and maintenance. How are your community and volunteer organizations expected to participate? The goal from day one of the Comiskey project was to make the planning effort for the redevelopment of Comiskey Park an engaging process for the neighbors and citizens of our community and the neighborhood that houses this park. The input received in the engagement process was to go directly into the design elements and improvements for Comiskey Park. It was to become a plan of the people for the people that live and work in this neighborhood. The engagement process began in January 2020 and included stakeholder meetings at local schools, focus groups, surveys, fairs, movie nights in the park, and utilizing existing programming in the park to solicit ideas and comments. Engaging local youth was a critical component in the community involvement process. Specific events like the PARKitecture Workshop with music, dance and events targeted local youth to attend and provide ideas about the future of Comiskey Park and what they liked or did not like about the park. There were conversations and stories, input on most important items needed in the park, park layouts and favorite activities were developed and presented. Youth also created 4 AIB/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up Grant and shared hip -hop rhymes to describe the activity they wanted to see included in the plan for the park. Multiple partners were utilized to ensure public engagement in the planning process. Some of those key organizations included: • The Multicultural Family Center, located within walking distance of the park, helps to empower community members and build unity out of diversity in our community. The organization sponsors programs that promote long-term learning and celebrates different cultures. Many of its patron and program participants live and work in the neighborhoods surrounding Comiskey Park. The Multicultural Family Center supported the planning process by helping the city connect with the local youth and teens especially minorities through outdoor recreation experiences. • The North End Neighborhood Association, established in 1992 to work for the betterment of the neighborhood residents. Comiskey Park has been the home base for this association holding monthly meetings in the Comiskey Park Community Building, and has utilized the park for virtually all their events over their 30-year existence. The North End Neighborhood Association was very involved in the planning process for the Re -Imagine Comiskey Park master plan. • Crescent Community Health Center provides medical and dental care to individuals and families who are uninsured or underinsured in the Washington and North End Neighborhoods of Dubuque. The clinic assisted with outreach and discussions about the Comiskey Park plan with an emphasis on providing opportunities for healthier lifestyle choices for its clients and other underserved populations. We know the minority populations in this neighborhood have higher rates of diseases than other neighborhoods in our community. • Dubuque Community School District currently serves over 10,500 students in 18 schools throughout Dubuque including an Alternative Learning Center. Two elementary schools are within the Washington and North End Neighborhoods (Audubon Elementary and Fulton Elementary) directly adjacent to Comiskey Park. The school district was actively engaged in the planning process with the intention to utilize the Re -Imagined Comiskey Park as an outdoor classroom and after school events in the future. The school district and the Dubuque County Conservation have hired a naturalist as a partnership and that naturalist has plans for a curriculum that involves walking to nearby parks with natural habitats for science study. This project directly relates to this plan. the use of natives allows for discovery of the native habitat year-round. Even though the planning process was delayed for over 1 year due to a global pandemic, the final master plan development for Comiskey Park is being seen as a great success. All individuals and organizations involved in the planning process are excited to see the combined end result for a Re -Imagined Comiskey Park. Even with the "loved to death" current state of Comiskey Park the neighborhood is proud of their park. This Park is home to at least 10 community wide events every year in addition to many programs offered by the Leisure Services Department. These events include Back to School Bash, Juneteenth Celebration, National Night Out, Ice Cream Social, outdoor movie nights, Keychella Fest (an LGBTQ+ community PRIDE event), NAACP Turkey Giveaway and more. Comiskey Park also served as the beginning location of many Black Lives Matter events and marches throughout 2020 and 2021. The daily summer playground program that serves two meals a day engages children from throughout the neighborhood that play and interact in activities all day long. The planning involved many of these families and they are proud and cannot wait for the actual construction. 5 AIB/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up Grant Environmental and Sustainable Development: Describe how the project addresses environmental challenges and how it will be sustained. Please include how the project will receive ongoing maintenance. The major environmental challenge associated with the Comiskey Park development project is the need to address the ongoing storm water challenges facing the City of Dubuque and specifically the Washington and North End neighborhoods. The city acquired an additional 1.95 acres to be added to the existing Comiskey Park property to specifically address storm water challenges in the area. Incorporated in the master plan for Comiskey Park is the addition of a bio-containment cell which will capture storm water runoff and contain this runoff into an area planted with native plant species which will uptake the stormwater runoff and nutrients thereby not allowing additional water to enter the stormwater system. The bio-swales and native seeding area planned for Comiskey Park as part of the master plan development will require minimal maintenance one established. The containment cell will be planted with native plants to uptake the water and nutrients after each rain event and prevent additional water to enter the stormwater system. Additionally, the bio-cell and native planting area will provide additional habitat for wildlife and the neighboring elementary schools can utilize this habitat area in a curriculum for educational study. This project provides pollinator habitat which will provide opportunities for wildlife, birds, butterflies, insects and more for study and observation. The current park is 100% mowed and manicured. Additional areas for critters and pollinators in our community and this neighborhood will be very beneficial to the environment. The establishment period for bio-swales and native seeding is approximately three years. The city's parks division has trained staff that will care for these areas through and after their establishment period. This project is a component of a much larger effort by the city to address major stormwater issues in this portion of the city. The City of Dubuque has actively engaged in a floodwater mitigation effort over the last 10 years specifically in the watershed area of Bee Branch Creek. These neighborhoods have been affected in the past by 7 Presidential disaster proclamations thus all the work in the watershed is very important and leads to more resiliency and prosperity in these under-resourced neighborhoods. Another component of this project is the planting of trees in the park. Comiskey Park has been devasted by the effects of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Jackson Street was tree lined with ash trees. Currently only one remains as all others have died and been removed. This is also true of the trees in the Comiskey Park. Many were ash trees and have also died and been removed leaving a sparse number of trees. The project includes 15 trees and more will be added as the full master park plan is realized. The trees proposed also have species diversity which was part of the problem for the devasting tree loss to this park and neighborhood. Trees are so important to the environment and specifically in this neighborhood. Homes in this neighborhood have yards that are so small that no trees can be planted thus the park is a respite for them. Through the pandemic we understand how important parks and open spaces with trees and natural elements are to the brain health of individuals. The trees will also be cared for by the Parks Division after being planted. 0 AIB/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up Grant Recognition: Describe how both America in Bloom (the program's administrator) and CN Railway (the funder) will be recognized for their contribution. Please include information on logo usage, launch events, press conferences, etc. As an inauguration event it required, please indicate how your community would envision the event. The City of Dubuque Leisure Services Department in conjunction with the city leaders and all sponsors of the Re -Imagine Comiskey Park project will hold a grand re -opening event for Comiskey Park once construction is complete which is hoped to be late fall of 2023. As a City these events are not just a cut the ribbon type event. They are always filled with fun, music, food, and activities. Because the neighboring community was so involved in the planning of the park they will be heavily involved in the re -opening and celebration. Funding partners will be recognized during the park celebration and that would include America in Bloom's program administrator and the CN Railway. The City has worked and partnered with CN in many ways in most recent years. The City of Dubuque has a great relationship with the local media outlets in the community including newspaper, radio and television. Typically, we have both pre and post event coverage for events such as these and this project is highly anticipated so would expect that. A press release including logos announcing the re -opening of Comiskey Park and the celebration event will preclude the ceremony. A program is handed out at the event to those attending which highlights funders of the project and key partners. As ongoing events take place at the park, future flyers and press releases will recognize the important donors who made the park redevelopment happen. The media services department of the city completes and promotes a high -quality video that they produce after the event that is shared through numerous media sources and on the city's YouTube channel. Measuring Success: Describe how you will measure the project's success. How will the project be evaluated for success? How will you share the results of your project? Note, in order to receive payment, you will be required to submit a vinal report to America in Bloom. Revitalization efforts in the Washington and North End neighborhoods of Dubuque has its challenges and limitations. Both neighborhoods are low to moderate income households with limited resources for outdoor recreation or the ability to travel for that activity. These neighborhoods are some of the most ethnically and racially diverse in the entire community of Dubuque with poverty levels well above the city average. Due to the work and connections with the Multicultural Family Center teen program we understand that many youths in these neighborhoods do not travel or have means to go beyond a 10-15 block radius. This means they are not able to go to county and state parks with more natural spaces. This project brings pockets to where they live and play. Success for the Re -Imagined Comiskey Park project can really be measured by the amount of collaboration and input in the planning process for this project. With the effort by all of the partners in the project the city was able to reach its citizens in this area and really get their thoughts and feedback on what the Comiskey Park should be in the future. Engagement is critical to the success of this project. It is obvious that the engagement process have worked in the development of this master plan for Comiskey Park. 7 AIB/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up Grant Success will be measured by having youth more representative of the neighborhood participating in programs offered in the park especially those related to areas of science. This will be measured by the length of stay in the park and new interactions with the natural components within the park. The number of known school visits will be measured. Success will be as we introduce youth to the natural environment and see their curiosity bloom. The city in cooperation with the Multicultural Family Center and the North End Neighborhood Association envisions not only continuing the programs and activities at the park especially free programming while continuing to expand those activities providing more inclusion and program diversity. The partnership with the Dubuque Community School District and Dubuque County Conservation will provide programming that can engage young people and families into understanding the natural environment. Youth and families will be engaged in activities related to maintenance and seed collection as volunteers. The new natural areas and trees to be incorporated into the master plan development for Comiskey Park will provide not only sites for public exploration of some natural area, but the opportunity for educational programs and classroom study of nature literally in their backyard. Many of the residents that utilize Comiskey Park would never plan to travel to a park area for nature study or do not have the ability to travel. This piece of nature within the urban setting of Dubuque can provide a respite from the city and city life and maybe peak one's curiosity about our natural world around us. Comments? Share any additional information you feel we should know. The nature of this project is that it will be a contractor's site during construction, and this would not allow volunteers to be involved in the planting processes. The project and neighborhood need the improvements outlined in the grant application as it is our most disadvantaged neighborhood that this project invests in. The neighborhoods involvement was extremely strong in the early phases as described and will begin again after the project is established. Project Budget: Please provide a breakdown of all project costs. 0 AIB/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up Grant RE -IMAGINE COMISKEY PARK AIB/CN GRANT December 1, 2021 A 3 D 1 DESCRIPTION QUANTITY COST/UNIT TOTAL 2 3 T'EE- 19 535C 55 i5C vEciduousShrutm 7C 575 5535C 3 GrasLEs 20C 525 55 00C 6 1Erbaceou; pErennl3L 20C 525 55,00C No- 3asinPILtas 1,000 515 51.5,00C 8 NEtNTPrairie Slanting 21267SY 54.25 5;.,639 9 V ulch 212 SY 59.75 5Z,067 10 Grow lydpreparation I $3,000 53,00C 11 12 Engineering)Design i L5 55,000 55,00C 13 14 TOTA_ $55,202 15 16 AIEVCHGrant $25,004 17 Local Match $34,202 18 14 20 21 €2 Total Relmagine Comiskey Praject 23 SL.6milliGn :;3 T-i-.. projec is 595,202 Gfthe larpr project �5 -: Total Project Funding Z7 KationaL Park Service outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership era ram $ 5eg 000 f8 Wei Imark Fau ndatian $ tOC 000 29 Community Development Black Jr.rant 5 zib 0a0 120 IC4ofDubuque FuMin Remainder Other Supporting Documents: Re -Imagine Comiskey Phase 1 Plan Comiskey Community Engagement Report Re -Imagine Comiskey Master Plan Please indicate you understand the grant requirements as outlined at https://americainbloom.org/programs/cn-grant/. This includes, but is not limited to, matching cash and/or in -kind contributions; participation in the AIB National Awards Program; and media event with signage to recognize funders.* r Yes, I understand the grant requirements. Please confirm that CN owns rail lines that run through your community. This is a requirement of the grant.* IV Yes, CN owns rail line that run through my community. 9