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December 10, 2019 <br /> <br />Ayes: Battle, Clark, Glover, Lucas-Burke, Psimas, Rowe <br />Nays: None <br /> <br />19 - 454 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting a donation from the Elizabeth River <br />Project in the amount of $31,612.52 and appropriating said funds in the Paradise <br />Creek Nature Park project line item in the FY 2020 Capital Improvement Fund <br />Budget for use by the Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism for the continued <br />development of the Nature Park. <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br /> On September 26, 2006 City Council adopted Resolution R-06-48 authorizing the <br />city to enter into an Agreement with ERP concerning the creation of Paradise Creek <br />Nature Park, and on August 23, 2011 and July 12, 2016 City Council adopted Resolutions <br />R-11-23 and R-16-19, respectively, authorizing amendments to the Agreement. <br /> <br /> <br /> The creation of the Nature Park has transformed what was once a blighted and <br />environmentally challenged area into a natural and educational resource for the citizens <br />of Portsmouth and the region. <br /> <br /> The City was awarded a Land and Water Conservation fund grant in the amount <br />of $574,960 to build the Dominion Wetland Learning Lab, a kayak launch, a nature <br />themed playground, and an extended pervious paved parking lot; Elizabeth River Project <br />provided the 50-50 cash match for the grant. <br /> <br /> The Elizabeth River Project donated an additional $31,612.52 for the purposes of <br />installing additional playground equipment and a shade structure for the playground. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br /> Elizabeth River Project has been a wonderful partner thus far and has consistently <br />been able to raise funds to support the nature park. <br /> <br />Financial Impact: <br /> <br /> <br /> The City of Portsmouth will be responsible for minor maintenance and upkeep of <br />the playground equipment. The equipment has a warranty of two years and a lifespan of <br />30+ years. <br /> <br />Staff Recommends: <br /> <br /> <br /> Adoption of the ordinance. <br /> <br />Next Steps Following Council Action: <br /> <br /> <br /> Staff will amend the Paradise Creek Nature Park Budget to reflect this <br />appropriation. <br /> <br />1. Mark Geduldig-Yatrofsky, P. O. Box 50141, spoke in support of this item. <br /> <br /> Mayor Rowe informed citizens that he serves on the Board of Directors for the non- <br /> <br />profit Elizabeth River Project and asked City Attorney Ashby if this was a conflict, to <br />which he responded “no”. <br /> <br />Motion by Ms. Lucas-Burke, and seconded by Ms. Psimas, to adopt the following <br />ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: <br /> <br />“ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A DONATION FROM THE ELIZABETH RIVER PROJECT <br />IN THE AMOUNT OF $31,612.52 AND APPROPRIATING SAID FUNDS IN THE <br />PARADISE CREEK NATURE PARK PROJECT LINE ITEM IN THE FY 2020 CAPITAL <br />IMPROVEMENT FUND BUDGET FOR USE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, <br />RECREATION & TOURISM FOR THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF THE <br />NATURE PARK.” <br /> <br /> <br />Ayes: Battle, Clark, Glover, Lucas-Burke, Psimas, Rowe <br />Nays: None <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />