Title
Resolution Authorizing Agreement Between the City of Greensboro and Center City Park, LLC for Maintenance
Body
Department: Executive
Council District: 3
Public Hearing: N/A
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Mary Vigue 373-2002
Contact 2 and Phone: Chris Wilson 373-2002
PURPOSE:
The City Manager's Office and the Parks and Recreation Department along with Center City Park, LLC seek approval to enter into a contract with reference to maintenance and operations of Center City Park.
BACKGROUND:
The 2.2 acre Center City Park was built for the enjoyment of the Greensboro community and is open to the public 365 days/year. Approximately 200,000 people per year have visited the park at their leisure while another estimated 90,000 per year have enjoyed public and private events hosted at the facility. Center City Park offers its facilities free of charge for a number of community events including the A&T Homecoming, Holiday Parade, Festival of Lights, and Fun Fourth. Center City Park also waives event rental fees for two Parks and Recreation Department arts and cultural events per year such as the Music for a Sunday Evening in the Park series (MUSEP).
In 2006, the City Council authorized an annual contribution towards maintenance of the Park. The $200,000 allocation from the General Fund provides for normal park maintenance and operations expenses such as utilities, mowing, turf fertilization, landscaping, litter control and park security. An additional allocation of $150,000 is made from the Business Improvement District (BID) for extraordinary expenses such as those associated with the operation and maintenance. Reports and the annual audit are provided to the City.
City staff worked with Downtown Greensboro Incorporated in FY 13-14 to renegotiate their contract to create one unified contract that includes the maintenance of Center City Park. Based on the change in contract last year, the City paid DGI directly for services associated with the BUD Group. DGI as of the end of January 2015 will no longer be providing maintenance to Center City Park, LLC. The prorated funding in the amount of $83,106 associated with maintaining the park will be returned to Center City Park, LLC who will seek to contract out this work. An additional $150,000 per year for other maintenance needs including the fountain and operational expenses such as insurance, supplies, and programming will be provided to Center City Park, LLC.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Funding for this agreement in the amount of $233,106 was included in the FY 14-15 Budget.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
The City Manager's Office along with the Parks and Recreation department request and recommends that Council approve the attached resolution entering into the maintenance and operations agreement with Center City Park, LLC through June 30, 2015.