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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-08-12 ResolutionPrepared by:Terry Trueblood, Parks/Rec Dir.0 410 E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 356-5110 RESOLUTION NO. 96-246 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE IOWA RIVER DAM TRAIL CONNECTION PROJECT AND AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR TO SIGN A GRANT APPLICATION TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. WHEREAS, the City of Iowa City has heretofore acknowledged the importance of constructing a bridge, for trail purposes, over the Iowa River Dam; and WHEREAS, the City of Iowa City recognizes the unique potential and benefit of said Project for the citizens of both Coralville and Iowa City; and WHEREAS, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has grant funds available through its "Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP)" program; and WHEREAS, the City of Iowa City, in cooperation with the City of Coralville, has prepared a REAP Grant Application for submission to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources which now requires approval and directive by the City Council. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA, that the above described REAP Grant Application receive the support of the City Council, and the Mayor is authorized to sign the application for funding. Passed and approved this 12th day of Auqust , 1996. ATTEST: ~~~ CITY-CLERK MAYOR Approved by C~t~/Attorney s Office It was moved by I(ubby and seconded by VandPrho~f adopted, and upon roll call there were: the Resolution be AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: X X .X X Baker Kubby X Lehman Norton Novick Thornberry Vanderhoef CITY OF IOWA CITY PAl{KS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT l~[ E14Ol~.;~N D lJ]~[ FROM: DATE: RE: City Council ~ Terry Trueblood August 9, 1996 Cooperative REAP Grant Application As you are aware, the Public Works Department is developing plans to construct a pedestrian and bicycling "bridge/trail" over the dam near the Iowa River Power Company restaurant. To help pay for a pertion of this project, we are working cooperatively with the City of Coralville in applying for a REAP grant in the amount of $150,000. This is the maximum allocation permitted for large cities in this program. Enclosed for your review is a copy of the "project description" as submitted in the grant application. Most of the work on this application has been completed by Coralville officials, particularly Parks and Recreation Director Marie Ware. We agree with their position that the project stands a better chance of receiving funding if it is submitted as an Iowa City project. This is primarily due to the fact that Coralville is submitting another REAP grant application for the purchase of Camp Cardinal. Therefore, if Iowa City submits the bridge/trail application, the two won't be in competition with each other because Coralville competes in the small city category. The project will, of course, benefit the citizens of both Coralville and Iowa City, especially when the trail on the peninsula is completed as part of the Iowa River Corridor Trail. We apologize for the late notice, necessitating a special meeting, but the idea surfaced just recently and the necessary paperwork could not be completed in time for your meeting of August 6th. TO compound the problem, the application must be received by the D.N.R. no later than 4:30 p.m., Thursday, August 15th. We certainly appreciate your willingness to accommodate our request. Should you have any questions, or would like to review the entire grant application, please feel free to give me a call. CITY OF IOWA CITY REAP GRANT IOWA RIVER DAM TRAIL CONNECTION AUGUST 15, 1996 I. PROJECT LOCA?IO~: The Iowa River Dam Trail Connection is located in Johnson County in Iowa City and Coralville south of Interstate-80. The site canbe accessed from either Iowa City or Coralville. See Appendix A for a map highlighting the project area. Appendix B is an aerial photo of the trail project area. The project is bordered by the Iowa River on the north and south. The east side of the dam connection is in property owned by the City of Iowa City and will be a future park. The west side of the dam connection is at Iowa River Power, a popular restaurant in Coralville. II. PROJECT DESCI~IPTION: The project would be to construct a 10 foot wide, 300' long concrete pedestrian/bicycling bridge and 150' ramp trail that traverses the Iowa River at the dam. A current three foot wide walk bridge exists but has been closed for many years due to its unsafe condition. This old walk bridge will be removed; however, removal is not a part of this project. The connection would allow residents of both Iowa City end Coralville to bike and walk safely via the Iowa River Corridor Trail. The dam was purchased from Johnson County in early 1996. The acquisition was done in conjunction with the siteing of the new water plant north of the 1-80 bridge. The trail connection is consistent with plans from both Iowa City and Coralville. The bridge trail will be built to AASHTO bikeway standards including 10 foot width. The peninsula, as it is commonly referred to, is a natural area that includes flood plain, timber areas as well as agricultural areas. It has been virtually undisturbed for many years except for preliminary work for the water wells. An access road, needed for maintenance of water well sites on the peninsula area, will serve the double purpose as the Iowa River Corridor Trail in this vicinity. This will be built in the same time frame as the proposed project but done as a separate project.