Minutes 04/23/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

April 23, 2002 · The project has reached the point where a resolution of the City Council is required to secure formal consideration and approval of the access road project. The estimated project cost and grant award being sought is currently estimated at $100,000. · The recreation access road program calls for the completed road to be designated as a "Virginia Byway" and that designation will help draw additional visitors to the Preserve. Financial Impact: · The Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation has committed to provide the funds for any necessary associated improvements for this project not funded by the recreation access road program. No City funds have been appropriated for this project. · The City Engineer will manage this project. Upon construction of the road, the City will assume maintenance responsibility for it. Motion by Mr. Pitts, and seconded by Mr. Moody, to adopt the following resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: "A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE COMMONWEALTH TRANSPORTATION BOARD APPROVE THE USE OF RECREATIONAL ACCESS ROAD FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A ROADWAY INTO THE HOFFLER CREEK WILDLIFE PRESERVE IN ACCORD WITH THE PRESERVE'S MASTER PLAN. WHEREAS, the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve is owned and is to be developed by the City of Portsmouth acting in partnership with the Heftier Creek Wildlife Foundation as a recreational facility serving the residents of Portsmouth and adjoining localities; and WHEREAS, the facility is in need of adequate road access; and WHEREAS, the procedure governing the allocation of recreational access funds as set forth in Section 33.1-223 of the Code of Virginia requires joint action by the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation ("Director") and the Commonwealth Transportation Board ("Board"); and, WHEREAS, a statement of policy agreed upon between the Director and the Board approves the use of such funds for the construction of access roads to publicly- owned recreation areas or historical sites; and WHEREAS, it appears to the City Council that all requirements of the law have been met to permit the Director to designate the Heftier Creek Wildlife Preserve as a public recreational site and further permit the Board to provide funds for access to this public recreation area in accordance with Section 33.1-223 of the Code of Virginia; and WHEREAS, the right-of-way of the proposed access road is being provided by the City of Portsmouth at no cost to the Recreational Access Fund; and WHEREAS, the City Council acknowledges that, pursuant to the provisions of section 33.1-223 of the Code of Virginia, this road shall be designated a "Virginia Byway" and recommends the Board, in cooperation with the Director, take the appropriate action to implement this designation. Further, the City Council agrees, in keeping with the intent of Section 33.1-63 of the Code of Virginia, to use its good offices to reasonably protect the aesthetic value of this road. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Portsmouth Virginia hereby requests the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation to designate the Heftier Creek Wildlife Preserve as a public recreational site and to recommend to the Commonwealth Transportation Board that recreational access funds be allocated for an access road to serve said park; and