RESOLUTION TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE MICHIGAN NATURAL RESOURCE TRUST FUND FOR LOOMIS STREET BREAKWALL EXTENSION WALKWAY

WHEREAS, the City of Ludington has received grant funding for the construction of a breakwall extension located at the Loomis St. Boat Launch facility; and

WHEREAS, the city of Ludington desires to construct a walkway atop the new breakwall in order to provide a universally accessible walkway and fishing pier for residents and visitors; and

WHEREAS, the City of Ludington has received preliminary engineering estimates for the walkway from Prein & Newhoff of $167,100; and

WHEREAS, the City of Ludington has actively engaged the public in the concept and design of the West End Ludington Development plan of which the breakwall is a part through several public meetings and updates at regularly scheduled meetings of the City Council, the most recent meeting being October 8, 2007, with an additional public comment being held on March 27, 2008, prior to the submission of the grant,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Ludington authorizes the submission of a grant application to The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for the Universally Accessible Walkway & Fishing Pier in the amount of $167,100 with a 25% maximum match requirement of $41,800 so long as no unforeseen comments and obstacles are received at the additional public comment session scheduled for March 27, 2008.

Moved by Councilor Dykstra, seconded by Councilor Peterson, to approve the foregoing Resolution to Submit Application to the Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund for Loomis Street Breakwall Extension Walkway. City Manager Shay explained that in 2008 the City of Ludington received a grant for $172,000 to install a breakwater that will attach to the north end of the existing breakwater and run at an angle to the shoreline as part of the west end of Ludington Avenue project. This grant pays for the actual breakwater itself. The City would like to apply for another grant that is due April 1, 2008, to install a concrete walkway and railing on top of the breakwater for public access. The estimated cost of the walkway and railing including construction costs, construction contingencies, and engineering is approximately $167,100. The grant through the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund has a maximum local match of 25%. The City is trying to design the project and structure the grant application to make the walkway universally accessible to people of all abilities and if this is accepted then the local match will be reduced from 25% to 12.5%. The time frame for this grant is 12 to 18 months and so the budgetary impact of the match would not happen until 2009. Councilor Holman questioned the public comment session and City Manager Shay explained that there would be a public comment period on March 27th specifically on this walkway. He explained that if the resolution is approved the meeting will be publicized. Councilor Scott asked if this project would be coordinated with the marina project and City Manager Shay explained that the coordination of the new transient dock at the municipal marina and the new breakwater at Loomis Street will happen in 2008. The concrete walkway will happen in the future through grant funding. Motion Carried.