title
Commissioner Fraley - Public Works - To Approve and Appropriate Up to $1,500,000 for the City of Cherryville to Construct a Community Gymnasium, Direct the County Attorney to Draft an Interlocal Agreement Outlining the Terms and Conditions for Funding the Project, and Authorize the County Manager or Her Designee to Execute Said Agreement
body
STAFF CONTACT
Dan Ziehm, PE - Public Works Director - 704-862-6795
BUDGET IMPACT
budget
Appropriate $1,500,000 from General Fund fund balance and transfer it to the General Government Capital Fund via the Community Investment Fund.
body
BUDGET ORDINANCE IMPACT
Minimal impact to the budget ordinance.
BACKGROUND
Resolution 2022-091 approved design funds for a walking track and multi-purpose field to be used by County residents in the northwestern portion of Gaston County near the City of Cherryville. These funds were appropriated from the County’s allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The City of Cherryville believes that a community gymnasium is a higher priority and has requested funds for a gymnasium. Cherryville staff believes that a gymnasium can be completed on City property at a lower cost than the preliminary engineering estimates for the track and field. Gaston County staff have reviewed the gymnasium request relative to ARPA guidelines and determined that the community gymnasium on City property is not an eligible expense using ARPA funds.
This Board Action approves and appropriates funding not to exceed $1,500,000 for a community gymnasium in the City of Cherryville. The City of Cherryville will design, permit, and construct the gymnasium and will submit periodic requests for reimbursements as the project proceeds. Eligible project costs will include only those directly related to the design, permitting, and construction of the gymnasium, and will not include administrative expenses for City employees, utilities, or other operational costs. As a condition for receiving the funds described herein, the City must allow unrestricted use of the facility to the general public during normal business hours established by the City of Cherryville and at times when the facility has not been reserved for games or tournament play. The City will be responsible for any and all costs for operation moving forward and any costs incurred in excess of the funding appropriated via this Board Action. Further, the City of Cherryville shall provide sufficient insurance for public use and shall fully indemnify the County and its employees from any and all costs, loss, damage, liability, expense, penalty, and fines which may arise from or be claimed against the County in relation to the facility. Should this Board Action be approved, the remaining funds designated for the track and multi-purpose field will be released for use on other ARPA eligible projects. Project funds must be requested within 18 months after approval of this Board Action accompanied by proper receipts and other documentation as may be necessary to verify eligible expenditures.
Approval of this Board Action directs the County Attorney to make nominal changes as needed and finalize an interlocal agreement between Gaston County and the City of Cherryville outlining the terms and conditions of funding. Further, this Board Action authorizes the County Manager or her designee to execute said agreement. This Board Action, if approved, appropriates $1,500,000 from General Fund fund balance, and transfers it to the General Government Capital Fund via the Community Investment Fund to reimburse the City of Cherryville for eligible expenses. The ARPA project ordinance will be amended by a separate Board Action reducing the obligated funds appropriated for the walking trail and multi-purpose field.
POLICY IMPACT
N/A
ATTACHMENTS
Interlocal Agreement; Budget Change Request (BCR)