TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Suzanne Fisher, Director of Parks and Recreation
THROUGH: Chief Neal de Jesus, Interim City Manager
DATE: April 4, 2017
Title
BARWICK FITNESS PARK/UPDATE AND FUNDING REQUEST
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to Approve a budget reallocation in the amount of $51,936.33 from Regular Salaries to cover the remaining balance, not funded through the donations received, to purchase fitness equipment for Barwick Park.
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Background:
On December 13, 2016, two Atlantic High School Seniors, Talia Vessal and Christelle Singh, presented to the Commission their idea for a fitness area to be installed at Barwick Park. Since early September the girls had been working on designing and creating a fitness plan through research with playground and shade structure companies. The students have been leading this project, which includes not only project design, but also solicitation of funds from grants, fundraisers, and corporations. As of date, Talia and Christelle have collected donations and established a "Go Fund Me" account totaling $28,000.00, with another $10,000.00 commitment anticipated to be received in May 2017. Talia and Christelle are still soliciting funds and will continue until completion of the project. The girls will be graduating the end of May 2017 and would like to have the ground opening around the same time.
While this was not a budgeted item for year 2016-2017, it is an amazingly valuable project that will enhance not only Barwick Park, but the surrounding community.
Unencumbered salaries, available due to the strategic timing of hiring personnel, in the amount of $51,936.33, are available to cover the shortfall of funding to purchase and install the fitness equipment at Barwick Park. The total anticipated expense for the project is $89,936.33.
This budget request is to authorize the use of $51,936.33 from account 001-4111-572-12.10 ($31,936.33) and 001-4131-572-12.10 ($20,000), in addition to the donated funds raised, to purchase and install fitness equipment at Barwick Park.
Finance Department Review:
Finance recommends approval.
Funding Source:
Funding is available from account number 001-4111-572-12.10 and 001-4131-572-12.10 (General Fund: Regular Saleries) and will be transferred to 001-4131-572-64.90 (General Fund: Other Machinery/Equipment).
Timing of Request:
This item is time sensitive in order to meet a May or June ground breaking event time.