CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
                 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA




 Agenda Date:           September 7, 2021

 Action Required:       Resolution

 Presenter:             Chris Gensic, Parks and Recreation

 Staff Contacts:        Chris Gensic, Parks and Recreation

 Title:                 Resolution Amending and Reauthorizing Funds to construct a Bike
                        and Pedestrian Bridge for McIntire Park - $50,000



Background:

The Department of Parks and Recreation was awarded a Recreational Access grant from the Virginia
Department Of Transportation (VDOT) in 2018 to construct a bridge which would provide bicycle
access into McIntire Park from Melbourne Road. Although the grant application did not specify that
the entire trail system had to be built simultaneously, the required local funding to build out the full
system all at once has not materialized. The funding situation has left the grant funds unspent and
VDOT is now de-authorizing the grant. At the time of the grant award, the City provided a local
funding match of $50,000 for the project from the McIntire Park Plan Implementation CIP account.
This appropriation is now requesting that the unspent local grant match be returned to the original
McIntire Park fund account so it can be used to construct the bridge and a portion of the accessible
trail using local funding. Once this funding is reallocated the grant account will be closed out.

Discussion:

Charlottesville Parks and Recreation will continue to work to complete the trail plan according to the
approved McIntire Park Plan in accordance with fund availability. This connection is the final trail
and bridge needed to provide access into the main body of the park from the north. The bridge
design is nearly complete and will complement the stream restoration project also underway. The
anticipated total cost to construct the bridge is estimated to be $300,000. This transfer of funds
paired with funding that has already been appropriated for McIntire Park would allow for the
construction of the bridge and trail up to Melbourne Road..


Alignment with City Council’s Vision and Strategic Plan:

The project supports City Council’s “America’s Healthy City” vision by providing outstanding
recreational areas and walking trails, as well as the vision of being a “Connected Community”.
It contributes to Goal 3 of the Strategic Plan, for a beautiful and sustainable natural and built
environment, and specifically objective 3.3, to provide a variety of transportation and mobility
options.
Community Engagement:

The McIntire Park Plan was developed with multiple public meetings and opportunities for
input, including public hearings, and was approved by City Council. The work being proposed
and the use of the existing funding is consistent with the original intent and discussion.


Budgetary Impact:

This appropriation is a transfer of existing CIP funds from one account to another for the purpose
of constructing the same project as intended in the grant. The funding will be appropriated into
the McIntire Park CIP fund.


Recommendation:

Staff recommends approval of the appropriation.


Alternatives:

None known


Attachments:

Resolution
                RESOLUTION AMENDING AND REAUTHORIZING
            Funds to construct a Bike and Pedestrian Bridge for McIntire Park
                                         $50,000
       WHEREAS, the City of Charlottesville, through Parks and Recreation, is no longer

obligated to provide match to the VDOT Recreational Access grant fund for the McIntire Park

Bike Access project; and



       WHEREAS, the City of Charlottesville, through Parks and Recreation, is working to

construct the McIntire Park Trail and Bridge;


       NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of
Charlottesville, Virginia, that the sum of $50,000 is hereby transferred in the following manner:


Transfer From

$50,000        Fund: 426             WBS: P-01005                   G/L Account: 599999



Transfer To

$50,000        Fund: 426             WBS: P-00673                   G/L Account: 451020