Full Text
Program Category: 08 Project # 09 Project # 10 Project # Parks, Recreation and Open Space PR-10 PR-14 Yes No NA x Funding Source Accounting Code FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 University of Montana 1,000 RTP (to be obtained) 35,000 - 36,000 - - - - Budgeted Funds Accounting Code FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 A. Land Cost B. Construction Cost 8,365 C. Contingencies (10% of B) D. Design & Engineering (15% of B) 27,298 E. Percent for Art of B) F. Equipment Costs G. Other 337 - 36,000 - - - - Expense Object Accounting Code FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 Personnel Supplies Purchased Services Fixed Charges Capital Outlay Debt Service - - - - - - Responsible Person: Responsible Department: Preparer's Initials Total Score Rob Thames Parks & Recreation KM 35 Project Title: Trail Maps for Missoula's Conservation Lands Date Submitted to Finance Today's Date and Time 06/02/2009 9:58 Description of additional operating budget impact: employee time will be needed to replace outdated signs/maps none OPERATING BUDGET COSTS Spent in Prior Years Funded in Prior Years REVENUE EXPENSE Is this equipment prioritized on an equipment replacement schedule? Are there any site requirements: How is this project going to be funded: Does this project have any additional impact on the operating budget: How is this project going to be spent: CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM City of Missoula CIP Project Request Form FY 2010-2014 Description and justification of project and funding sources: The Primary objective for managing Missoula's 3600 acres of conservation land is to preserve and enhance native habitats while providing recreational opportunities for the community. To achieve this objective a balance must be struck between use (recreation) and conservation (habitat). We recently completed an inventory of all trails on conservation lands. This inventory showed that we are unable to adequately direct users to designated trails and as a result are failing to meet our primary objective. Roughly 18% of the trails in our system are user-created. While all new trail construction is assessed for impacts to native flora and fauna and go through the public process prior to construction most user- made trails do not consider habitat preservation or community desires. To close and rehabilitate one mile of user-made trail averages $600 per year for a minimum of 3 years. To close all user-made trails in the system would cost close to $18,000 but this would not stop the creation of new user-made trails; we must be able to direct users to sustainable Park's sanctioned trails. The current 2'x3' Plexiglas trail system maps posted at our trailheads are over 12 years old, are outdated (show only 30% of actual trails and trailheads) and are in disrepair. If we expect citizens and visitors to stay on designated trails we must provide them with an accurate trail map. This request is for money to cover design and manufacture of 24 new high pressure laminate trail maps at critical trailheads across the conservation lands system. Additionally, designers will create 5 individual 11"x17" maps that the Parks Department can print (on metal signs) at a later date as needed throughout the conservation lands system. This will begin the process of resigning and educating users at the trailheads. Spent in Prior Years ---PAGE BREAK--- Program Category: 10 Project # Parks, Recreation and Open Space PR-14 Yes No 1. Is the project necessary to meet federal, state, or local legal requirements? This cri- terion includes projects mandated by Court Order to meet requirements of law or other x requirements. Of special concern is that the project be accessible to the handicapped. 2. Is the project necessary to fulfill a con- tractual requirement? This criterion includes Federal or State grants which require local x participation. Indicate the Grant name and number in the comment column. 3. Is this project urgently required? Will de- lay result in curtailment of an essential ser- vice? This statement should be checked "Yes" only if an emergency is clearly indi- x cated; otherwise, answer "No". If "Yes", be sure to give full justification. 4. Does the project provide for and/or im- prove public health and/or public safety? This criterion should be answered "No" un- less public health and/or safety can be x shown to be an urgent or critical factor. Raw Score Total Range Weight Score (0-3) 5. Does the project result in maximum benefit to the community from the 1 5 5 investment dollar? (0-3) 6. Does the project require speedy implementation in order to assure its 2 4 8 maximum effectiveness? (0-3) 7. Does the project conserve energy, cultural or natural resources, or reduce 2 3 6 pollution? (0-2) 8. Does the project improve or expand upon essential City services where such 1 4 4 services are recognized and accepted as being necessary and effective? (0-3) 9. Does the project specifically relate to the City's strategic planning priorities or other 3 4 12 plans? Total Score 35 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (See C.I.P. Instructions For Explanation of Criteria) Qualitative Analysis Comments Project Rating Project Title: Trail Maps for Missoula's Conservation Lands Off-trail recreation spreads noxious weeds, disrupts wildlife and damages native plants. Additionally, most user-made trails are constructed at unsustainable grades and are prone to erosion. By providing the public with comprehensive maps of trails in the area it will guide people who are unfamiliar with our trail system to designated trails and "regulars" will be encouraged to visit trails they have never hiked on before. Fit people drive less. The majority of Missoulians feel that recreation and open space are essential to their way of life. All of the open space bonds that have passed have done so with overwhelming public support. It is the city of Missoula that has been charged with caring for these valuable public assets. We are poor stewards if we are unable balance recreation and conservation by adequately directing users to sustainable habitat friendly trails. This project will fulfill goals in the Missoula Parks and Recreation Master Plan, Missoula Transportation Plan, Missoula Open Space Plan and the citizen drafted Mount Jumbo Management Plan. Quantitative Analysis Comments Our conservation lands are important resources for the community and were purchased in large part by the taxpayers. Our conservation lands are highly utilized by Missoulians and tourists for recreation but few have a clear idea of the expanse of the trail system. This project will provide comprehensive maps made of one of the most cost-effective durable materials on the market. Highly weather and vandal resistant they will last for decades. In the last 10 years our trail system has almost doubled and a new trail map is overdue. One example is Waterworks Hill which has almost 12 mi. of trail of which only 1 mi. is show on the current map. Waterworks hill, and other properties, have reached capacity and will see no more trail development; most trail's money is spent shutting down user-made trails. The sooner we can update maps the sooner we can direct users to trails we want them to use. There are numerous hazards on our conservation lands. As use of these lands increases the number of incidents where citizens need emergency assistance is expected to rise. Just last year a woman broke her collar bone while mountain biking on Mt. Jumbo. She was on an unnamed trail that was not pictured on our current trail maps. Emergency responders had to basically canvas Jumbo's saddle until they found her. Imagine if she could have just told 911 that she was at mile marker 2 on the Three Trees Trail. We have had even more examples of police not knowing where particular trailheads are located when they are called to respond to incidents. We need an accurate map of all our trails and trailheads. ---PAGE BREAK---