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Urban Renewal Agency pauses consideration of URA funding for park equipment and Kidtown lighting
Summary
The board voted to pause use of urban renewal funds for a dog-park equipment purchase ($24,954) and for Kidtown parking-lot lighting (preliminary estimate $25,000, $5,000 pledged donation) until staff provides more information and a legal opinion on reimbursements and eligibility.
At its May 11 meeting the Urban Renewal Agency voted to pause consideration of two funding requests involving parks and downtown lighting while staff returns with additional detail and a legal opinion.
Staff recommended using URA funds to buy dog-park equipment and two benches for Checkatko Point and Stout Park, citing that Parks SDC funds are restricted for projects outside the urban renewal district. Staff put the purchase amount at "$24,954 and some change" for equipment and benches. A director moved to pause consideration of that funding until additional information is provided; the motion passed by roll-call vote.
On Kidtown lighting, staff presented a preliminary estimate not to exceed $25,000 and said Nature's Coastal Holiday had offered a $5,000 donation toward the project. A separate motion to pause consideration of URA funding for the lighting also passed by roll call. Staff noted that ordering light poles takes several weeks and that the project team hopes to have lighting in place by October for evening events, but that timing would not prevent the city from proceeding with the project using other funds.
Directors asked whether the URA could later reimburse the city if the city purchased items from Parks SDCs; staff and legal counsel said, tentatively, reimbursement would be allowable if the expenditure is tied to a legitimate purpose under the urban renewal plan and if documentation supports the reallocation. Staff said the dog-park items had been quoted and were already ordered, and that payment would be needed in the next two weeks unless the board acts.
Both pause motions carried; board members asked staff and the city attorney to provide clearer timelines, funding projections and the written legal opinion so the agency can decide on funding at a subsequent meeting.
