Memorandum 18-058 LWCF Grant Ramp 2 Restroom

Memorandum 18-058

TO:                        Mayor and the City Council                                   

FROM:                 Jenny Carroll, Special Projects & Communications Coordinator

THROUGH:        Katie Koester, City Manager

DATE:                   May 9, 2018

SUBJECT:          Land & Water Conservation Fund Grants Project $263,340.00

I am happy to report that the National Park Service recently approved the Alaska State Recreation Trails Advisory Board’s recommendation for Land & Water Conservation Funds (LWCF) to assist the City with replacing Ramp 2 public restroom.  The grant will provide $263,340 in 50-50 matching funds for construction. 

Attached is the Grant Agreement and an Ordinance to accept the grant and obligate City of Homer project funds as match.  Per Ordinance 17-19 and Resolution 17-067, the City match will come from accumulated Commercial Passenger Vessel (CPV) pass-through grant funds and a loan from the Port & Harbor Reserve account, which will be reimbursed over time from future KPB and State of Alaska CPV pass-through grant distributions.

To minimize construction disruption on the Spit during the busy summer season, the rebuild is planned for the early fall 2018.  With design for the new facility currently at 65% and with the LWCF grant agreement in hand, we are on schedule for a fall build. 

A 50-50 matching grant from the LWCF in 1972 helped construct the Ramp 2 Restroom we have today.  LWCF requires that that there be access to a dedicated public outdoor recreation area which the Ramp 2 restroom would serve.  The original grant documents from 1972 dedicated the land immediately surrounding Ramp 2 Restroom for public recreation use. The grant documents also indicated that the restroom would be supporting “beach” activities.  Attached is the map of the beach area and access to be dedicated, guaranteeing that the public has access to the waterfront for beachcombing, wading, fishing, sight-seeing, and other outdoor activities.

We are pleased to continue our partnership with the LWCF to upgrade the restroom in support of Homer’s exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities.

Recommended Action:  Approve Ordinance 18-28.