Item 8CAGENDA ITEM # 8C
MARCH 23, 2009
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: Request to approve proposed projects for Fiscal Year 2009-2010
Community DevelopmentnBlock Grant (CDBG) funds.
SUBMITTED BY: Sonya Doerr, AICP ~.d/
Community Development Director
DATE: March 13, 2009
BACKGROUND: In accordance with the Interlocal Agreement with the City of Jacksonville, the COAB
receives a yearly allocation of Community Development Block Grant funds. The funds may be used for several
categories of activities including public infrastructure improvements and must serve low and moderate-income
residents within the City's designated CDBG neighborhoods.
The COAB has not yet been notified as to the funding amount for the 2009-2010 grant year, but we anticipate
receiving around $120,000. Applications are now due to be submitted to the City of Jacksonville. The City
Manager, Public Works, Public Utilities, Public Safety, Parks and Recreation and Planning staff meet each year
to discuss the best use of CDBG funds with priority given to projects needed to serve community needs where
other sources of funding are not available with an emphasis on Strategic Plan objectives. Staff proposes the
following projects for the upcoming 2009-2010 CDBG Fiscal Year. Each project meets the Federal HCTD
eligibility requirements as well as the criteria used by the City in allocating these funds over past years.
a. Sidewalks to serve Donner Park neighborhoods: $60,000
• Continuation of sidewalk on Dutton Island Road from Donner Park to Lakeview Court. We had hoped
to include this section of sidewalk with the Donner Park improvements being made with current year
CDBG funds, but budget did not permit. In effect, this provides for the completion of that project.
• Along Dudley Street from George Street to Mayport Road. This is a much needed section of sidewalk
for both safety and neighborhood improvement.
b. Jordan Park improvements: $60,000
• Correct poor drainage and improve parking area
• Install water fountain
• Install covered shelter
This project would correct the longstanding drainage problems in Jordan Park, which during wet periods
prohibit use of a significant portion of the park, and which cause a continuous dirt and mud mess in and around
the building. The water fountain and shelter are comparable to the same improvements made to Donner Park.
The City is also hopeful that some portion of CDBG funds included in the Stimulus Bill will be allocated to the
City, and Staff has considered other projects that could be included. The above priority projects and these
additional projects are summarized on the following page.
BUDGET: $120,000, General Government Fund 110-1005-515.63-00, Fiscal Year 2009-2010
RECOMMENDATION: Approve projects a. and b. as described above authorizing the City Manager to
submit the request to the City of Jacksonville and sign documents as necessary to execute the contract.
ATTACHMENTS: Proposed projects (in order of staff priority.)
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER:
March 23, 2009 regular meeting
AGENDA ITEM # 8C
MARCH 23, 2009
Priority 1 projects Estimated Cost Comments
Sidewalks to serve Donner Park neighborhoods This project would be an
extension of the FY08-09
• Continuation of sidewalk on Dutton Island $40
000 CDBG funded work done in
Road from Donner Park to Lakeview Court. ,
$20
000 Donner Park and would provide
• Along Dudley Street from George Street to , an almost continuous sidewalk
Mayport Road. from Donner Park to Dutton
Island Preserve.
Poor drainage and the condition
Jordan Park im rovements
p of the parking area create a
continuous "mess" in and
• Correct poor drainage and improve parking $30,000 around the community center.
area
• Install water fountain
$5000 An outdoor water fountain and
covered shelter similar to what
• Install covered shelter $25,000 have been provided at Donner
Park are needed.
Priority 2 projects Estimated Cost Comments
Donner Park parking areas Improvements to Donner Park
• parking area -northwest corner of park $20,000 using current year CDBG funds
• parking area -southeast corner of park $30,000 are expected to increase the
use and need for parking, and
two areas for future parking
have been identified.
Projects for future consideration Estimated Cost Comments
These improvements will be
Rose Park Im rovements
p needed in the not too distant
• improve and expand parking area $30,000 future to maintain Rose Park at
• construct a wooden walkway across drainage the same quality of other Ciry
swale parks.
Staff concurs that Veteran's
Veteran's Park improvements unknown Park is underutilized and offers
considerable opportunity for
facility development and
increased usage. Future
expansion of facilities at
Veteran's Park should be
considered as part of the City's
future arks master tannin .
Activities to increase the usage of Tideviews Preserve Staff has discussed solutions to the problems of
limited usage of Tideviews (for its intended use) due to its isolated nature and security issues. Clearly, both the real
and perceived lack of safety are deterrents to use of the park. These issues must be addressed, or the time will come
when the budgetary logic of continuing to maintain a park facility that is virtually unused will need to be questioned.
Staff has discussed improvements to the kayak launching area, the addition of a fishing pier, and also the possibility of
using Tideviews or some portion of the park as a dog park. There are a number of dog parks within this area, and while
these were viewed with some early skepticism, most park managers and surrounding residents agree that these
present very few problems. These facilities generate a lot if activity and use, and this idea may be well worth
discussion. Construction of asingle-family residence on the City-owned West 1st Street property to be occupied by a
olice officer also remains an o tion for im rovin the securit in the Tideviews Preserve area.
March 23, 2009 regular meeting