Memorandum

City of Lawrence

TO:	Mayor and City Commission
FROM:	Mike Wildgen, City Manager David L. Corliss, Assistant City Manager & Director of Legal Services
CC:	Fred DeVictor, Director of Parks & Recreation
Date:	February 9,  2006
RE:	Feasibility Study for Competitive Athletic  Fields

At the February 8, 2006 City/County/USD/KU/Haskell joint meeting, a majority of the Commission indicated that it desired to consider at a future Commission meeting the proposal to fund a portion of a feasibility study for competitive athletic fields.  USD 497 has agreed to fund up to forty percent (40%) of the study to a maximum of $25,000.  The County has informally agreed to fund ten percent (10%) of the study.  The private advocates for the study would then fund the remaining portion of the study.

To proceed with formal development of the Request for Proposals (RFP) Commission authorization for the funding at this time is appropriate. Final approval of the RFP by the funding agencies would be necessary before distribution of the RFP.  Additionally, the Commission would also formally approve the contact with the feasibility study consultant.

I am designating Fred DeVictor, Director of Parks and Recreation, as the project manager for this feasibility study.  It appears appropriate the City be the designated “client” for this study, even though funding is coming from multiple sources and the City may not further participate in implementation of any recommendations from the study.   Staff also recommends that the City costs for the feasibility study come from a combination of City sales tax reserve “second generation parks” and the Guest Tax Reserve Fund.

ACTION:    Approve City financial participation of up to forty percent (40%) of the feasibility study costs, not to exceed $25,000.   If approved, I will request formal acknowledgements of the funding commitments and participation from each entity.