ORDINANCE No. 177206

*  Apply for a $72,500 grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to rehabilitate two soccer fields and three baseball fields in Irving Park (Ordinance)

The City of Portland ordains:

Section 1 The Council finds that:

1.  The Parks 2020 Vision Plan points out that approximately 250 sport fields are owned or maintained by Portland Parks & Recreation for soccer, softball, baseball and other field sports such as rugby, football and lacrosse. While most areas of the City need more sports fields, parkland that is appropriate for active recreation is already developed and used. Therefore, the plan recommends that the capacity of existing fields be increased.

2.  The demand for the sport fields in Irving Park exceeds their capacity. Soccer, Little League, Babe Ruth and high school baseball teams heavily use these sport fields. This intense use has caused severe compaction of the soil and has become unsafe for play. The rehabilitation will not only ensure long-term facility performance but also increase the capacity of these fields.

3.  Portland’s need for sport field rehabilitation directly reflects the critical needs outlined in the most recently completed Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The need for major rehabilitation of existing outdoor recreation facilities is both a statewide priority and a Region 2 priority (Portland is located in Region 2). The SCORP establishes life expectancy for Baseball/Softball fields as 15-20 years and for Football/Soccer fields as 5-10 years. The fields at Irving Park have not received rehabilitation since their installation in 1972.

4.  The proposal has been supported by the Portland Parks & Recreation Sports Work Group, by the King Neighborhood Association and by the Irvington Neighborhood Association.

5.  The proposed improvement will cost an estimated $3,640 per year to maintain. The funding for this additional maintenance responsibility is available in the General Fund O&M set-aside.

6.  The City is required to provide matching funds of $72,500, such funds to be drawn from the Parks Local Option Levy Fund.

NOW THEREFORE, the Council directs:

a.  The Mayor is hereby authorized to make application to the Land & Water Conservation Fund in the amount of $72,500.

b.  In applying for grant funding, Council acknowledges the need to fund the ongoing cost of maintaining these fields at the level specified in the grant application. If the grant is awarded, the Bureau of Financial Planning is directed to transfer $3,640 annually from the General Fund O&M set-aside into the Parks General Fund budget effective the fiscal year after the improvements are made.

Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists because the City needs to meet the deadline for submitting grants, their consideration and award; therefore this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect after its passage by Council.

Passed by the Council:   JAN 22 2003        GARY BLACKMER

Auditor of the City of Portland

Commissioner Francesconi

Prepared by:              By /S/ Susan Parsons

Mary Rose Navarro

Deputy

BACKING SHEET INFORMATION

AGENDA NO. 53-2003

ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION/COUNCIL DOCUMENT NO. 177206