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Home My WebLink AboutRESOLUTION NO. 44 RESOLUTION NO. 2010-44 ALLOCATING $100 SUPPORT FOR A COMMUNITY ATTRACTION AND TOURISM ("CAT") GRANT APPLICATION BY LINN COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD FOR A PROPOSED EXPANSION TO THE WICKIUP HILL OUTDOOR LEARNING CENTER WHEREAS,Linn County Conservation proposes to expand the Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center; and WHEREAS, Linn County Conservation further proposes to pursue partial financial assistance for said project from State of Iowa Community Attraction and Tourism("CAT") Grant Program, and WHEREAS, said CAT Grant Program requires participation in the form of local cash"match"from the City of Fairfax, Iowa. NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF FAIRFAX,IOWA that$100 is hereby awarded to Linn County Conservation as a local cash match for an application to be submitted to the Iowa Department of Economic Development("IDED") for a CAT Grant that will assist with the expansion of Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center, Passed and approved this 14tfi day of September, 2010. AYES: Beer, Frieden, Otto, Magers, and Wainwright NAYS: None ABSENT: None Jaso babe,Mayor ATTEST: ' . Cyn is Stimson, City Clerk Conservation Board Linn County, Iowa www.linncountyparks.com 1890 county Home Road ftun Marion,Iowa 52302-9753 COUH COMENATION September 1, 2010 Mayor Jason Rabe City of Fairfax P"O Box 337 Fairfax, IA 52228 Subject: Support for Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center Expansion Project Dear Mayor Rabe: The Linn County Conservation Board's Wickiup HIII Outdoor Learning Center provides a regional) attraction and education facility that serves Linn County and the Eastern Iowa region. An expansion of the facility and services provided are planned in order to enhance this unique facility for the Linn County community and as a regional attraction. A fundraising campaign is currently underway and we have been successful in securing funding at the Federal, State and local levels. To date,we have raised $2.3 million of our$3 million goal. Right now Wickiup Hill provides uinique learning opportunities for students, hiking trails, community meeting rooms, and educational exhibits. With this expansion, we will be able to serve more students and increase our profile as a destination site for residents as well as visitors to our communities. As Ipart of the fundraising campaign, the Linn County Conservation Board is preparing a Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant application (due October 15). Our request for CTAT funding will be $750,000. Part of the requirement for a successful application is to showcase support from the local communities. That's where the Fairfax C'iity Council can help with this project in two specific ways. First, please consider financial support of$100 to the project. Support from local communities will be highlighted in the project budget and will help bring CAT doll!l'airs to Linn County. The financial commitment can be spread over a two year period, as we know that budgets are tight. Your community's modest donation will l be leveraged many times ovals and will help bring CAT funding into our local economy. Residents of your community will benefit directly from this project since many school children as well as adults use Wickiup Hill for recreation and educational purposes. And most CAT grants are required to show support from local communities. At this time, Linn County has passed a resolution committing to $1.2 million in funding support through bonds and we are hoping that all cities in Linn County will be able to make a modest commitment to this worthy project. werutsar9�I�t r�ccau rtivy.e�rc� phone 319.892.6450 319.892.6494 � Wickiup Mill Outdoor Learning Center Expansion The Linn County Conservation Board has identified expansion of the Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center as a high priority. This expansion project is important because it: Promotes youth education about natural resources, enhances Wickiup Hill as a resource for family and lifelong learning opportunities and it improves the quality of life for our community, In addition,this expansion will address operational inefficiencies. Approximately 25,000 students and other visitors use the education center annually. Usage is anticipated to reach 40,000 by 2015. The expanded building will be constructed to demonstrate environmental responsibility by attaining LEED certification. 'The proposed expansion includes the following four major components: 1)Additional multi-purpose classroom Need: Current classroom space limits the number of school children and other groups that are able to use the education center on any given day. Many educational activities are completed outside; however, inclement weather causes significant conflicts and space issues when all activities must be moved inside. This classroom will also serve as temporary exhibit area. Solution: The additional multi-purpose classroom and exhibit space will approximately double the functional space for educational activities. Proposed expansion size 1,760 square feet 2)Expanded exhibit area Need: The current exhibit area was designed as phase one with an expansion plan. The additional exhibit area will focus on the river as a key natural resource in the area. The exhibits will focus on human interaction with this key natural feature... Currently,the exhibits have relatively few hands-on opportunities. All exhibits in the expanded exhibit space will incorporate hands-on components focusing on elementary-age children and families. Solution: Incorporate hands-on activities in new exhibits in expanded exhibit area. Proposed expansion size: 2,350 square feet 3) Tornado Sate Room/Administrative office space addition Need: Wickiup Hill does not have protected space that meets current standards for a tornado shelter. Therefore, there is not a safe place to take people in the event of a tornado or other severe weather. In addition,Linn County Conservation offices are located in rural Marion. Locating the administrative offices at Wickiup Hill will consolidate staff into one location and enhance the department's operational efficiencies by allowing administrative support staff to complete their duties while providing support for the Wickiup Hill Education Center and staff. In addition,the support staff's presence will allow public access to the building to more than triple from approximately lg hours per week to 50 hours per week. Solution: Relocate Conservation Department administrative offices to Wickiup Hill. Proposed size: 2,235 square feet 4)Additional public restrooms/storage/library Need: When large groups are using Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center, lines at the restrooms are often long. Also,additional storage space is needed for educational materials. The library will be used for reference materials and as a conference room. Solution: Add an additional restroom area at the opposite end of the building to provide an additional option for facilities, Incorporate the library and storage in the office area. Proposed size: 1,700 square feet The cost- Total project cost: $2,930,000 i �s �1 �1 —n r O rn x o cn CD -:, 0 CD Cl) o cNri _ C `Z to L ., Cr 10 N rr j U) N N C) ol co O �✓ Building expansion: *.• Design/Engineering $ 157,000 4.- Building construction 1,961,000 *.• Equipment&furnishings 50,000 *.• Contingency 212,000 Total building expansion $2,380,000 Exhibits: Design-Exhibit plan $50,000 fi• Educational exhibits 500,000 Total exhibits: $550,000 A.Local Government Support 1. Linn County Board of Supervisors--The Linn County Board of Supervisors has contributed $1,200,000 of the total $2,930,000 contingent upon the Linn County Conservation Board raising$1,730,000 from Federal and State grants and private sources. 2. Municipality contributions--Funds from municipalities within Linn County will be required as part of the local match if this project is awarded a Community Attraction and Tourism(CAT) Grant through the Vision Iowa Program. B.Federal Grants • U. S. Department of the Interior,National Park Service - Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area Grant Program • U.S. Department of the Interior,U.S Fish&Wildlife Service - The Fish& Wildlife Service administers a variety of natural resource assistance grants. • U.S. Department of Homeland Security/FEMA—FEMA administers a program related to tornado protection/ safe rooms • Institute of Museum and Library Services C. State Grants • Iowa Department of Economic Development- Vision Iowa Community Attraction and Tourism(CA' grant program • State Historical Society of Iowa-Historic Site Preservation Grant(HSPG) • State Historical Society of Iowa—REAP/HRDP(Historical Resources Development Program) • Iowa Department of Natural Resources—Resource Enhancement and Protection. (REAP) grant program C. Community Organizations,Corporations and Individuals • The Hall-Perrine Foundation • Friends of the Linn County Conservation Board • The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation • Rockwell Collins • NextEra Energy • Aegon • Cedar River Paper Company • Other corporate and business donations • Individual donations