PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee Meeting was held on January 13, 2009, at 12:02 noon with Chairwoman Russell presiding. Members present were Mr. Ruane, Mrs. Horsey, and Mr. Lewis. Mr. McGlumphy was absent.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Horsey moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.
There being no objections, Mrs. Russell indicated that staff has requested that agenda item #1-B - Housing and Recovery Act of 2008 Funds be considered prior to agenda item #1-A - CDBG Program.
Update - Housing and Recovery Act of 2008 (Neighborhood Stabilization Program)
During their meeting of December 8, 2008, members were provided an update regarding the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). Mrs. Harvey, Community Development Director, indicated that members had relayed questions regarding leveraging resources for the NSP. As a result, representatives of the Diamond State Community Land Trust (DSCLT) Leveraging Team, Mr. Van Temple, Director of the DSCLT, as well as Mr. Matt Parks and Ms. Amy Walls of Discover Bank, reviewed a Presentation (Attachment #1). Noting that the City of Dover has been allocated $1.5M in grant funds for the NSP, Mr. Temple requested that the City pledge the funds to the DSCLT and to designate the funds as a financing mechanism in the revised NSP Budget to the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA). Mr. Parks reviewed how the leveraging NSP funding works in order to increase the funds 2.5 times by investing in a New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Structure. Ms. Walls explained the benefits of the NMTC and Mr. Temple explained the joint venture organization structure and flow of money.
Mr. Temple advised members that meetings have been held with the other five (5) jurisdictions that have been awarded grant funding through the DSHA for the NSP. He stated that the DSCLT submitted this proposal for the entire $19.6M for Delaware at the same time the individual jurisdictions submitted their plans, and suggested that their proposal be considered as an overlay financing mechanism to multiply the awarded funds. Although DSHA was interested in the proposal, they preferred to award the funds to the usual CDBG jurisdictions where the reporting requirements and administration is already established. Therefore, he assured members that the DSHA is aware that the DSCLT is contacting the individual jurisdictions for a possible joint venture.
Responding to Mr. Lewis, Mr. Temple stated that the actual approved budget from DSHA for the State with HUD is to occur February 15, 2009. He advised members that the DSCLT needs a total of $7M in order for the plan to be cost effective. At this time, the indication from the jurisdictions has been a desire to include some, if not all, of their funds into the plan. Once the DSCLT receives enough letters of intent from the jurisdictions that total $7M or more, then the DSCLT will formalize these relationships by developing contracts.
In response to Mr. Ruane, Mrs. Harvey indicated that there have been no meetings held with the City Manager, Controller/Treasurer, or City Solicitor. She felt that the issue should be presented to the committee prior to any further meetings with City staff. Mr. Ruane suggested that the committee would not take any position regarding this matter until a review is conducted by the appropriate staff members.
Mr. Temple advised members that action of members was not expected at this time. It was his feeling that based on their presentations to the jurisdictions, there is a high degree of interest; however, this does not mean that contracts are ready to be signed. The DSCLT would like to have letters of intent within the next three (3) weeks that would total $7M, at which time, contracts would be prepared. He reminded members that there are no contracts between HUD and DSHA or between DSHA and the jurisdictions for the NSP funds. It is anticipated that such contracts would be completed late February/early March.
In addition to a review by the City Manager, Controller/Treasurer, and City Solicitor, Mr. Ruane noted that this matter is very preliminary and that there is a need for additional research by staff, including contact with the DSHA, as well as the other jurisdictions being considered, and the City’s partnerships (suballocation) for NSP funds. Responding, Mrs. Harvey requested that another meeting be scheduled with all parties involved.
Responding to Mrs. Horsey, Mr. Temple reminded members that there are two (2) deadlines associated with the NSP grant: 18 months to obligate the funds and four (4) years to expend the funds. By investing the funds in a financing mechanism up front, the 18 months is obligated, which results in an extension of the deadline. The grant funds awarded must be expended in four (4) years; however, the additional funds acquired through DSCLT would allow an extension of the program.
Mr. Parks explained that one of the purposes of the unbinding letter of intent is to give Morgan Stanley assurance that there is enough interest for them to begin pursuing a loan and an investor to purchase the credits. He advised members that without having some form of intent, there is reluctance in putting forth the time and effort required to pursue these matters.
Mrs. Russell relayed her appreciation for the presentation and requested that staff schedule another meeting to include appropriate staff and other interested parties.
In response to Mr. Lewis, Mr. Temple stated that more detailed information regarding the plans would be provided to members.
Update - CDBG Program
Mrs. Harvey, Community Development Director, reviewed the Status of the FY2007 and FY2008 CDBG Program provided to members.
During their meeting of December 8, 2008, members recommended that no further extensions would be provided to Mr. Anderson for the rehabilitation project at 301 W. Loockerman Street and that staff be authorized to send a letter to this effect. As directed, Mrs. Harvey advised members that a letter was sent to Mr. Anderson.
Referring to the Dover Interfaith Ministry to the Homeless, Mrs. Russell questioned how long it is anticipated that the funds would remain dormant before they are used. Responding, Mrs. Harvey stated that Dover Interfaith has indicated that they did not anticipate the ability to expend the funds within the grant period, which expires September 30, 2009. If the funds are not expended within the allotted time frame, the funds would be reallocated and Dover Interfaith would need to re-apply for the next fiscal year beginning in January 2010. Mrs. Harvey noted that a letter will be forwarded to Dover Interfaith explaining this requirement. She also advised members that staff has been working with other organizations in an attempt to determine if there is property that could be donated, explaining that the grant awarded to Dover Interfaith is for renovations.
Mr. Ruane suggested that the RFP information and the CDBG application be distributed to all City departments in case they have an activity that would qualify for CDBG funds.
Review of Active Recreation Plan for Woodmill Apartment Expansion (C-08-14) - Tabled by Committee on December 8, 2008
During their meeting of December 8, 2008, members reviewed an application for the Active Recreation Plan for the Woodmill Apartment Expansion and, after much discussion, tabled action to allow staff the opportunity to further review the Active Recreation Plan with the applicant.
Mrs. Horsey moved to remove the matter from the table, seconded by Mr. Ruane and unanimously carried.
Ms. Cornwell, Planner II, reminded members of an application for the Active Recreation Plan for Woodmill Apartment Expansion, which is a new residential development consisting of 216 apartment units - 6 apartment buildings with 36 units in each building. She stated that the proposed expansion will be located off of Commerce Way, north of North Street. The subject property consists of one parcel of land totaling 22.97+/- acres. A subdivision is a part of the development of this site that will create two (2) parcels. The residential portion will consist of 13.97+/- acres.
Since the last meeting, Ms. Cornwell advised members that the applicant’s engineer and staff met and a revised application for the Active Recreation Plan has been submitted. She reviewed the Data Sheet for Active Recreation Plan Review, which included the revised proposed active recreation areas, as well as staff’s recommendations for the revised plan (Attachment #2) and noted that the revisions have been made to the original plan as a convenience to members for a better understanding of the changes.
Referring to the need for a Tot Lot, Mrs. Russell indicated her desire for additional amenities and that it be fully equipped rather than just providing a swing.
Ms. Laura Swisky with Northpoint Engineering advised members that the existing recreation area for Woodmill Apartments, where they are proposing to add the playground, currently consists of two (2) tennis courts, a swimming pool, clubhouse, and fitness center. She noted that these activities are geared towards older children. There is a playground on the site; however, it is not located at the clubhouse. The plan includes installing playground equipment that is geared more towards children in the 5-12 year old age range. She stated that the proposed plan at the clubhouse is to complement the new development and enhance the existing development by adding a true tot lot for younger children. The idea of having it located at the clubhouse is to provide a more supervised area.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mrs. Swisky stated that staff’s recommendation regarding the addition of a tot lot has been accepted verbally and that she could provide this in writing.
Mrs. Russell relayed concern regarding the dual-purpose water fountain. Responding, Mrs. Swisky stated that as an alternative, a “dog only” water fountain could be installed and a water fountain for people could be placed on the outside. She further explained that the dual-purpose water fountain would be located within the dog park, which is a fenced area. Anyone that would not want to associate with dogs would not need to go into the area.
In response to Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Swisky stated that they agree to include lighting along the walkway paths, as well as along the travel ways for vehicles.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend that a favorable recommendation for the Active Recreation Area for the Woodmill Apartment Expansion be forwarded to the Planning Commission with the understanding that the staff’s comments are concurred in by the applicant and will be pursued with special attention to their concurrence with the tot lot/playground area that is needed. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried.
Information - Meeting Schedule
Due to a conflict in the current meeting schedule, Mrs. Russell advised members that Mr. McGlumphy has requested that the committee change the committee’s current meeting date to the 2nd Monday of each month. She noted that this may be a temporary schedule change (16 weeks) and that it could be reverted back.
Mr. Lewis moved to recommend that the Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee Meeting be changed to the 2nd Monday of each month at 12:00 noon, with the understanding that this may be a temporary schedule change that could be reverted back in the near future. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried.
Mr. Ruane moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 1:22 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Sophia R. Russell
Chairwoman
SR/AC/TM/jg
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Attachments
Attachment #1 - Presentation of Diamond State Community Land Trust - Neighborhood Stabilization Program
Attachment #2 - Data Sheet for Active Recreation Plan Review (Staff’s Recommendations) - Woodmill Apartment Expansion