Agenda Item - 2024-03-05 - Number 06.2 - Resolution 24-09, Application for a Local Government Grant from the Parks Department 6.2
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Subject: Resolution 24-09, Rassekh Park Phase 2 Grant Authorization
Meeting Date: March 5, 2024 Staff Members: Ivan Anderholm, Director and Kyra
Haggart, Project Manager/Park Analyst
Report Date: February 23, 2024
Department: Parks & Recreation
Action Required Advisory Board/Commission Recommendation
❑ Motion ❑ Approval
❑ Public Hearing ❑ Denial
❑ Ordinance ❑ None Forwarded
❑x Resolution ❑X Not Applicable
❑ Information Only Comments: Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources
❑ Council Direction Advisory Board will submit a letter of support for the
❑ Consent Agenda grant application.
Staff Recommendation: Adopt Resolution 24-09, authorizing application for a Local
Government Grant for development of Phase 2 of Rassekh Park.
Recommended Language for Motion: Move to adopt Resolution 24-09.
Issue before Council (Highlight Policy Question):
❑X Council Goals/Priorities ❑X Adopted Master Plan(s) ❑Not Applicable
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is requesting authorization from City Council to submit an application for grant funding
through the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department's Local Government Grant Program to
fund Phase 2 of Rassekh's Park development. Phase 2 will include the playground, picnic
shelter, additional paved parking spaces, additional walking path connections, and the
maintenance building.
BACKGROUND
The 9.8-acre Rassekh property located at 18011 Stafford Road was acquired by the City of Lake
Oswego in 1996 using funds from the 1990 Parks Bond and is one of the eight original
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properties comprising the "Luscher Area." The property has been envisioned as a site to
provide opportunities for active recreation since its acquisition, and it was one of the first of the
Luscher Area properties to be added to the Lake Oswego Urban Services Boundary. The Luscher
Area Master Plan, adopted by the City in 2013, describes Rassekh Park as a property intended
for an "active recreation area and neighborhood park" that included a playground and picnic
shelter.
On May 21, 2019 Lake Oswego voters passed Bond Measure 3-548, generating approximately
$30 million to fund park, recreation, and open space projects. In March of 2020 the Parks,
Recreation, and Natural Resource Advisory Board (PRNRAB) presented their recommendations
for the prioritization of bond projects to City Council, which included development of the
Rassekh Park property as a high-priority project. The Parks & Recreation Department initiated
the solicitation process for the park's design in late 2020, and in February 2021 the City Council
awarded an architectural and engineering contract to Mackenzie for the design of Rassekh Park.
On October 19, 2021 staff presented a design update to City Council that included an enlarged
play area and a picnic shelter, which were added in response to community engagement and
comments from the neighborhood association. Staff also presented several options for
additional amenities that could be included, and Council directed staff to add a 10,000 square
foot skatepark to the design for Rassekh Park. In June 2022 the design for Rassekh Park was
finalized and a land use application was submitted for review, and the application and findings
were approved by the Development Review Commission in August 2022.
A request for bids for the construction of Rassekh Park was advertised on September 30, 2022
with an addendum on October 12, 2022. Bids were opened on November 9, 2022. However, all
bids received were significantly higher than the engineer's estimate and the solicitation was
cancelled on December 7, 2022. On February 21, 2023 City Council adopted their 2023 Council
Preferred Future, Goals, and Initiatives, including a Council Initiative Work Plan to "develop a
Funding Strategy for Rassekh Park, and construct the skate park portion." With this direction
Parks & Recreation staff and the Mackenzie design and engineering team began work on a
funding plan and phased development approach for Rassekh Park.
On May 8, 2023 staff advertised for bids for Phase 1 of Rassekh Park's construction. On June 6,
2023 the Department received and opened two bids for the work. Based on the bid amounts
and the scoring criteria outlined in the Request for Bids, Paul Brothers, Inc. was identified as the
successful bidder with a bid amount of$2,283,784.20. Council approved a contract with Paul
Brothers, Inc. on June 27, 2023 and the project broke ground shortly thereafter. Phase 1 of the
park's development is underway and expected to be complete by June 1, 2024.
DISCUSSION
Phase 1 of Rassekh Park's development included construction of a public water main, sewer
lines, stormwater facilities, and electrical infrastructure, all of which will are needed to support
use of this formerly greenfield site as a public park. Phase 1 also included public right-of-way
improvements for Stafford Road, including street lighting, street trees, and reconstruction of
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the multi-use path adjacent to the park, as well as construction of a new site access road from
Atherton Drive, a portion of the paved parking lot, a temporary gravel overflow parking area,
and the restroom building. The 10,000 square foot skatepark is also being construction as part
of Phase 1 under a separate construction contract with California Skateparks.
During the construction contract approval for Phase 1 of Rassekh Park several community
members from the Palisades neighborhood, in which the park is located, testified in support of
completing the playground and picnic shelter portions of the project as soon as possible. In
response to community and Council priorities, staff have developed a funding plan for a second
phase of development, which leverages dollars from the Parks General Fund, Parks System
Development Charges, and grant funding. Phase 2 will include the playground, picnic shelter,
additional paved parking spaces, additional walking path connections, and the maintenance
building. The play area will include a traditional play tower as well as a nature play area, a play
area designated for very young children, and multiple sensory and inclusive play features that
can be used by children of all ages and abilities.
In a recent analysis of access to essential services such as play for children as part of the long-
range park and recreation system plan update project (Parks Plan 2040), it was discovered that
a portion of the Palisades neighborhood currently lacks access to play areas within a 10-minute
walk of homes. In addition, an analysis of the city's demographics identified it as an area with
one of the highest percentages of households with children in the city. By moving forward with
development of the play area at Rassekh Park, the City would be helping to fill this gap in access
for Lake Oswego's largest neighborhood.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost for constructing Phase 2 of Rassekh Park is estimated at approximately
$1,760,000 with 10% contingency. Staff intend to submit a request for$750,000 from the
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Local Government Grant Program (LGGP). LGGP
requires a 50% match for cities with a population over 25,000.The additional $1,010,000
required dollars would come from unallocated Park's SDC's and/or the Parks General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution 24-09, authorizing application for a Local Government Grant for development
of Phase 2 of Rassekh Park.
ATTACHMENT
1. Resolution 24-09.
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ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION 24-09
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO AUTHORIZING APPLICATION
FOR A LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT FROM THE OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
REGARDING RASSEKH PARK PHASE 2.
WHEREAS, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is accepting applications for the Local
Government Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, the Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation Department desires to participate in this grant
program to the greatest extent possible as a means of providing needed park and recreation
acquisitions, improvements and enhancements; and
WHEREAS, the Lake Oswego City Council, upon recommendation of the Parks, Recreation, and
Natural Resources Advisory Board, has identified improvements at Rassekh Park as a high priority
need in Lake Oswego; and
WHEREAS, the location of Rassekh Park is adjacent to an area that has been identified through
recent planning and analysis as an area with a high population of youth but also an area identified
as lacking in access to nearby play equipment,thus providing an opportunity to fill a gap in essential
service; and
WHEREAS,the 9.8-acre parcel of land known as Rassekh Park, which has been owned by the City of
Lake Oswego and intended for park and recreation uses since 1996, is currently undergoing Phase 1
of park development, which includes serving the site with utilities and the construction of a
skatepark; and
WHEREAS, Phase 2 of development at Rassekh Park will provide local residents with a with a play
area that offers inclusive and nature play equipment, a picnic shelter, walking trails, and benches;
and
WHEREAS, the City has available local matching funds to fulfill its share of obligation related to this
grant application should the grant funds be awarded; and
WHEREAS, the City will provide adequate funding for ongoing operations and maintenance of
Rassekh Park, a City park and recreation facility, should the grant funds be awarded; and
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Lake Oswego that:
Section 1. The City Council authorizes the City Manager or designee to apply for a grant from
the Oregon Park and Recreation Department for Phase 2 of development at Rassekh Park.
Section 2. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect upon passage.
Resolution 24-09
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Considered and enacted at the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lake Oswego on the
5th day of March, 2024.
AYES:
NOES:
EXCUSED:
ABSTAIN:
Joseph M. Buck, Mayor
ATTEST:
Kari Linder, City Recorder
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Ellen Osoinach, City Attorney
Resolution 24-09
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