Commission directs staff to withdraw EcoPark grant application, seeks other funding options
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Summary
After staff reported a reduced project scope had been deemed ineligible by the granter, commissioners agreed to withdraw the current grant application for EcoPark, pursue other grant opportunities and consider private donor options; staff said plans are ready but permits will need reissuance and environmental constraints add cost.
City staff presented an update on EcoPark and asked the commission to choose whether to restore the original scope and find additional funding or to abandon the existing grant application.
Kevin (staff) said the original, larger scope previously bid out came in over budget; staff then rescoped the project to fit within the grantee’s guidance, but the granter subsequently determined that the reduced scope amounted to maintenance and would not qualify. "We either go back to original quote, original scope of work, and find the funding for that, or lose the grant," Kevin told the commission.
Commissioners expressed frustration that the granter had not made qualifying conditions clear earlier and voiced support for pursuing the full scope or alternative funding. Commissioner Kelly said she did not want EcoPark to be neglected and recommended pursuing other grant opportunities, exploring private donations (naming benches, planks or signs as donor options), and using available budget for immediate remedial work such as cleanup and security. Kevin said $110,000 worth of design plans are complete and permitted previously, but permits must be renewed; he also noted the site contains protected gopher tortoises and expanding wetlands and that environmental regulation adds cost.
Vice Mayor Hay asked for consensus to withdraw from the present grant application (FDP); commissioners and staff agreed and directed staff to pursue other state and federal grants and private funding opportunities. The commission also asked staff to return with updates on grant prospects and cost estimates for restoring the larger scope.
Next steps: staff will withdraw the current FDP grant application, inventory other grant programs and potential private‑donor models, renew permits as needed for shovel‑ready plans, and report back with funding options and implementation timelines.