Fortuna approves $27,500 contract to pursue federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grants for parks

The Fortuna City Council on March 3 authorized the city manager to execute a professional-services agreement of up to $27,500 with Lake Ove Associates to prepare three Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant applications for park projects including the Newberg Park expansion, the Vansil Forest parcel and Riverwalk Park development.

Sherry Mead, community development director, said the city's general plan includes policies to acquire and develop parkland and listed recent land-acquisition efforts: about 2.66 acres for Newberg Park expansion, approximately 6.25 acres of redwood forest land and notice regarding 237 acres along the Lower Eel River (with about 7.2 acres to be kept by the city and the remainder returned to the Wiyot Tribe). "One of those funding options is the Land and Water Conservation Fund and this is a $35,000,000 statewide opportunity that I'd like to see the city apply for," Mead said.

Staff recommended contracting with Lake Ove Associates because of prior work with the city and the intensive resources needed for grant writing and application preparation. The contract would be funded from the General Park Acquisition Improvement budget. Council members spoke in support, noting potential economic and recreational benefits if park expansions attract tournaments and visitors. The motion to authorize the agreement passed unanimously.

Staff said the consultant will assist with applications for acquisition and/or development depending on the availability of other funds, and that further project-specific actions and grant approvals will return to council when required.