RECAT Grant Application for Bee Branch Creek Restoration ProjectMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: RECAT Grant Application for Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
DATE: September 30, 2010
Dubuque
AN- America Clty
11111!
2007
Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens recommends City Council approval to
submit to Vision Iowa a Notice of Intent to Apply and Resolution for the RECAT grant
application for the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project. The RECAT grant application
is underway, and must be submitted by October 15, 2010.
The Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project will replace an underground storm sewer
with an open waterway and other public amenities, reducing the risk of flood damage to
1,150 properties and improving water quality. The landscaped creek will include trails,
lighting, benches and an amphitheater, improving quality of life for neighborhood
residents and creating a tourist attraction.
The City Council has adopted the Fiscal Year 2011 -2016 Capital Improvement Program
(CIP) budget, which includes the City's financial commitment to secure loans in the
amount of $38.6 million to build the $46.9 million multi -year Bee Branch Creek
Restoration Project.
The public amenities portion of the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project is estimated
to be $21.7 million. The RECAT request will be for approximately $7.16 million, or 33 %.
The RECAT grant program is part of Vision Iowa, and requires preparation of a lengthy
and complex grant application. The City of Dubuque has requested the services of
Helen K. Randall, HKR Communications & Marketing, to compile a RECAT grant
application for the public amenities that are included in the Bee Branch Creek
Restoration Project. Helen Randall prepared a very similar, and successful, CAT grant
application for the Friends of the Mines of Spain to help finance the E.B. Lyons
Interpretive Center. The estimated contract for services will be $3,000 to $4,000, which
is comparable to the contract for the CAT grant application for the Mines of Spain
project. The $4,000 expense will be covered by General Fund debt service savings from
the new fire station that won't happen in FY2011.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Michael C. Van Milligen
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager`�N
SUBJECT: RECAT Grant Application for Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
DATE: September 30, 2010
Dubuque
bitil
All- Amalca city
2007
Introduction
This memorandum transmits the Notice of Intent to Apply and a Resolution for a River
Enhancement Community Attraction and Tourism (RECAT) grant application to Vision
Iowa for the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project, for City Council review and
approval. The RECAT grant application is underway, and must be submitted by October
15, 2010.
Background
The RECAT program is designed to assist communities in the development and
creation of multiple purpose attraction or tourism facilities. Eligible projects are
recreational and entertainment attractions that are open to the general public, and relate
to, connect with, and enhance a river, lake, or river corridor. Projects must be located
within a city. Up to one -third of the total project cost can be requested from RECAT.
Discussion
The Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project will replace an underground storm sewer
with an open waterway and other public amenities, reducing the risk of flood damage to
1,150 properties and improving water quality. The landscaped creek will include trails,
lighting, benches and an amphitheater, improving quality of life for neighborhood
residents and creating a tourist attraction.
The City Council has adopted the Fiscal Year 2011 -2016 Capital Improvement Program
(CIP) budget, which includes the City's financial commitment to secure loans in the
amount of $38.6 million to build the $46.9 million multi -year Bee Branch Creek
Restoration Project. It will be funded from CIP number 7201654 Bee Branch Creek
Restoration Project and CIP number 7201375 Detention Basin Silt Removal. Project
financing includes the Stormwater Construction Fund, a State Revolving Fund (SRF)
loan from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and a Stormwater G.O. Bond.
The public amenities portion of the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project is estimated
to be $21.7 million. The RECAT request will be for approximately $7.16 million, or 33 %.
RECAT Grant Application for Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
Page 2
The RECAT grant program is part of Vision Iowa, and requires preparation of a lengthy
and complex grant application. The City of Dubuque has requested the services of
Helen K. Randall, HKR Communications & Marketing, to compile a RECAT grant
application for the public amenities that are included in the Bee Branch Creek
Restoration Project. Helen Randall prepared a very similar, and successful, CAT grant
application for the Friends of the Mines of Spain to help finance the E.B. Lyons
Interpretive Center. The estimated contract for services will be $3,000 to $4,000, which
is comparable to the contract for the CAT grant application for the Mines of Spain
project. The $4,000 expense will be covered by General Fund debt service savings from
the new fire station that won't happen in FY2011.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council approve submittal of the enclosed Notice of
Intent to Apply and the Resolution for the RECAT grant application for the Bee Branch
Creek Restoration Project to Vision Iowa.
Enclosures
cc: Gus Psihoyos City Engineer
Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer
Jenny Larson, Budget Director
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 390 -10
Whereas, the River Enhancement Community Attraction and Tourism (RECAT)
program is designed to assist communities in the development and creation of multiple
purpose attraction or tourism facilities;
Whereas, the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project will replace an underground
storm sewer with an open waterway and a linear park that will improve quality of life for
neighborhood residents and create a tourist attraction; and
Whereas, the City Council has adopted the Fiscal Year 2011 -2016 Capital
Improvement Program (CIP) budget, which includes the City's financial commitment to
secure loans in the amount of $38.6 million to build the $46.9 million multi -year Bee
Branch Creek Restoration Project.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. The Mayor is authorized to sign and submit this grant application to
Vision Iowa for RECAT Program Funding for the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project.
Attest:
Prepared by: Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Address: City Hall, 50 W. 13th St Telephone: 589 -4210
Return to: Jeanne Schneider, City Clerk Address: City Hall, 50 W. 13th St Telephone: 589 -4210
SUPPORT OF RECAT PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR FUNDING FOR THE
BEE BRANCH CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT
Passed, approved and adopted this 4 day of October, 2010.
eanne F. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk
-1) 1 6 AA_ eL
Karla A. Braig, Mayojro -Tem