Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 02/08/2018

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Revenue from recreation uses in Regional Parks System units consistent with the Council - approved master plan shall be used for park purposes as determined by the regional park implementing agency. Revenues generated by nonrecreational uses in regional park lands, consistent with a Council -approved master plan, shall be used in regional park lands either for stewardship or for the capital costs of providing regional recreation opportunities, unless the Council consents to another use. Regional park implementing agencies shall make an annual report of such revenues when their revenues exceed an amount determined by the Council ($2,500 per year). Unused nonrecreational revenues will be returned to the Council by the end of the year succeeding the one in which they are earned. Enterprise Activities Regional parks, park reserves and special features may contain enterprise -fund recreation facilities that are compatible with the natural -resource base of the unit and do not conflict with the primary recreation uses of the park unit. Enterprise -fund recreation facilities include any facility that is expected to generate sufficient revenues to pay its own costs, such as golf courses, downhill ski areas, and water parks. These facilities are not eligible for regional park funds from the Council because enterprise -fund recreation facilities are expected to raise money for their development and operation in the same way as their private sector counterparts. Equal Access Development financed with regional funds and subsequent park operation must be carried out in a manner consistent with this policy plan, whether the land was acquired with regional funds or not. Development grant contract agreements require the regional park implementing agency to operate and maintain the facility so as to provide access to all persons in the region as described in the Council -approved master plan. Design Plans When master plans are first approved by the Council, it is often true that large or complex recreation facilities are only conceptually described. When development of a particular recreation facility within a regional system component is imminent and when funds allocated in the CIP are available, the regional park implementing agency may request a grant. Upon Council approval, the regional park implementing agency may use an agreed -upon portion of the allocated amount to prepare construction documents through what is generally defined as the design development phase of the project. If preferred, the regional park implementing agency may proceed with design in advance of a grant and request reimbursement consideration in a future CIP by following the reimbursement policy in this policy plan. The remainder of the grant will be used to construct the project after the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission has reviewed the nature, scope and cost of the project for consistency with the Council -approved master plan and the regional CIP. The Council will make development grants to regional park implementing agencies as follows: