A motion to submit an application for the Land and Water Conversation grant totaling $113,925 passed 4-0. Aldermen Phil Tallo and Beth Kendall were both ill and absent from the meeting. Terri Thorn, …
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A motion to submit an application for the Land and Water Conversation grant totaling $113,925 passed 4-0. Aldermen Phil Tallo and Beth Kendall were both ill and absent from the meeting. Terri Thorn, the city's director of operations/finance officer, said the grant requires a 55 percent match, estimated to cost the city about $63,000, should the grant be approved. Recreation Director Patrick Randolph told aldermen an informal committee consisting of himself and three other city employees decided to request funding for a 24-by-24-foot gazebo, playground equipment and develop a larger parking area at Binkley Park. "This would address community needs," he said. Randolph said the possible park improvements were settled on by Jenny Hoffman, special events coordinator, Michelle Schlenther, economic development specialist, and Jim Daly, interim building commissioner. Randolph said his department could apply for the three projects separately, meaning three applications would have to be filled out. Once the submissions were approved, aldermen could decide to proceed with all three projects or decide to do just one or two. For example, the city's share for installing a gazebo and playground equipment only is anticipated to be around $28,000 and $23,000, respectively, according to Randolph. Alderman John Clark was concerned initially if the city had the funding available, but Thorn noted it wouldn't affect the current 2008-09 budget. "It would be funds that you would need to set aside for next year's budget," she said. The grant application deadline is Dec. 15. Randolph said the new playground equipment would be handicapped accessible, making Binkley Park only the second location in the city - joining Morgan Park at the city pool - to be compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act. "I feel the playground, by applying for this particular grant, will meet the needs of our community ages 2 to 12 years," he said. Alderwoman Jerry Cullom agreed the city's parks need to be improved. "It's a beautiful park, and I'm sure it would be enhanced by the gazebo, but I feel we need more playground equipment," she said. 8
