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EUGENE Public Works Maintenance City of Eugene 1820 Roosevelt Boulevard Eugene, Oregon 97402 May 16, 1997 (541) 687 -5220 Dear Scobert Park Advisory Committee Member: Thank you for the many hours of dedication you put into developing the Scobert Park Advisory Committee's final recommendations, dated March 19, 1997. We apologize for the delay in responding to your report. As you know, all City departments have been dealing with the reduction strategies required by the passage of Ballot Measure 47, and it has taken some time for us to have a realistic estimate of what recommendations we can and cannot implement. We have already implemented a few of the recommendations, and are working toward implementing some of the others. Some will be tabled until the uncertainties surrounding Ballot Measure 47 and the May 20, 1997, serial levy are known and funding becomes available. Attached to this letter are staff responses to the committee's recommendations. We are committed to keeping the former Scobert Park Advisory Committee members informed of the status of the implementation of these recommendations and any subsequent changes proposed for Scobert Park. Several of the recommendations are most appropriately implemented by an active neighborhood group's volunteer efforts. While the results of neighborhood volunteer involvement are sometimes subtle and not immediately felt, over time the community will benefit from the increased neighborhood cohesiveness and sense of stewardship about the park. As indicated above, funds for park projects are currently minimal; however, the City is committed to supporting the efforts of the neighborhood. To facilitate this, the City will commit up to $10,000 toward implementation of the committee's attached recommendations. We recommend that a volunteer Scobert subcommittee organize, perhaps under the general oversight of the Whiteaker Community Council. This subcommittee could prioritize requests for use of the $10,000 funding. The City would need to review funding proposals, and those which included matching funds from other sources or encouraged additional volunteer efforts would receive preference. For more information about the availability of these matching funds, please contact Dick Morgan, Park Manager, at 682 -4800. Another option the neighborhood might pursue is to solicit funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The funding guidelines include improvements and enhancements, but not routine maintenance. Many of your recommendations fit within these parameters. Available funds for Fiscal Year 1998 (July 1997 -June 1998) have already been allocated. However, the citizen department advisory committee that reviews grant applications will begin meeting again in October to allocate funds for Fiscal Year 1999. To pursue this option please contact Linda Dawson, CDBG Grants Coordinator, at 682 -5071. Attached is further information regarding this program.