Agenda Item # _____
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
07/29/2014
Agenda Report #
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Understanding with Chattahoochee Rowing Limited
INITIATED BY: David Arrington, Deputy City Manager
Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of
Understanding with Chattahoochee Rowing, Ltd., for Master Planning for a rowing
facility to be located on City owned property.
Background: Chattahoochee Rowing Ltd., a non-profit group, has expressed
a desire to develop a world-class rowing facility in Columbus at Rotary Park
extending north along the Riverwalk to the Trade Center. The development of
such a facility will provide numerous positive benefits to the community. With
a focus on recreation, athletics and education, this project will enhance the
quality of life for Columbus residents by:
? Providing an additional opportunity for healthy, wholesome recreation
creating a stronger and healthier community.
? Enhancing and maximizing the linkage from Uptown Columbus to South Columbus
and Fort Benning.
? Generating significant educational, team building and leadership
opportunities for community children and youth ? especially at-risk children by
teaching sportsmanship, teamwork, responsibility and leadership.
? Increasing the positive public image of Columbus, GA ? A great place to live
and a city that cares about its diverse citizenry, providing opportunities for
all.
? Creating competitions and events that attract significant local audiences and
increase tourism from regional and national audiences thereby producing
considerable economic impact and opportunity.
Analysis: The Master Planning and potential development of a rowing
facility, if deemed feasible, will be at the full expense of Chattahoochee
Rowing, Ltd. The City will cooperate in the planning process and insure that
current recreation facilities and services provided at Rotary Park and other
locations within the planning area are not negatively impacted. Any impacts
will be fully mitigated by the developer. Once completed, the Master Plan
will be presented to Council for approval. If approved by Council, a land
lease will be negotiated to facilitate the development of the facility. The
specific terms of the Memorandum of Understanding are listed below.
1. Master Planning and Feasibility Study: The City agrees to participate with
the developer?s Feasibility and Master Planning efforts for the rowing
project. All costs associated with the development will be at the expense of
the developers. The City will not incur any costs associated with the
development of plans for the rowing facility. The City will participate by
providing any and all information to the developer or consultants hired by the
developer as part of the master planning process.
2. Scope of Study: The proposed area for the location of the rowing facility
is Rotary Park and vacant City property adjacent to Rotary Park extending north
to the Trade Center. The study may encompass property outside this area as
necessary to accommodate the required elements to facilitate rowing activities
and competitions.
3. Preservation of Existing City Facilities and Services: The developer
understands the need to preserve any and all existing City facilities and
services currently provided at the Rotary Park locations. The master plan or
any subsequent development can not have an adverse impact on the recreational
services currently offered to the public at this site. Any proposed impacts
must be fully mitigated to the satisfaction of the City by the developer at the
developer?s cost. The developer agrees to coordinate with all stakeholders in
the area of the proposed development to include but not limited to the owner of
Bull Dog Bait and Tackle, Civil War Naval Museum, Parks and Recreation, and the
Trade Center.
4. Final Approval of Master Plan: If the development of a riverfront rowing
facility is deemed feasible and a master plan is fully developed, the master
plan will be presented to Columbus Council for approval. Upon approval by
Columbus Council and evidence of sufficient capital is raised to develop the
facility by the developer, the City agrees to negotiate in good faith with the
developer a lease agreement for City property for implementation of the plan.
If at such time, property adjacent to the currently owned City property comes
into possession of the City, the City agrees to provide the developer first
right of refusal to lease the additional property for a period of 365 days from
the date the property is developable.
5. Binding Affect: The MOU sets forth the understanding and commitment of the
parties and may be modified and amended by a more definitive agreement, but the
obligations of the parties set forth herein are intended to be binding upon the
parties, subject however, to the prior approval of the MOU by Council of the
City and the board of Developer.
6. Governing Law: This MOU will be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Georgia.
7. Notices: All notices and other communications permitted or given in
connection with this MOU shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
properly given if delivered in person, or by courier, or sent by United States
mail, Registered or Certified, Return Receipt Requested, to the addresses set
forth below or to such other address as may be from time to time specified by
written notice delivered in accordance herewith:
8. Authorization to apply for Grant Funding: The City Manager is authorized to
approve the application for grant funding as identified for this project. The
application for any grant funding shall not require a match by the Consolidated
Government unless otherwise approved by Council. The City Manager is further
authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to receive grant funds
and facilitate the completion of the project.
Financial Considerations: The City will not incur an expense with this project
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: None
Legal Considerations: Council must approved the Memorandum of Understand.
Recommendations/ Actions: Authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of
Understanding with Chattahoochee Rowing, Ltd. for Master Planning for a rowing
facility to be located on City owned property. And further authorize the City
Manager to apply for grant funds in support of the project provided the grant
does not require a match by the City.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING WITH CHATTAHOOCHEE ROWING, LTD. FOR MASTER PLANNING OF A ROWING
FACILITY AND OTHER PURPOSES ON CITY PROPERTY.
WHEREAS, Chattahoochee Rowing Ltd., a private non-profit group, has expressed
interest in developing a world-class rowing facility on City owned property
along the Chattahoochee River in the area of Rotary Park extending north along
the Riverwalk to the Trade Center; and,
WHEREAS, the development of the Master Plan for the facility will insure all
current recreation services provided at Rotary Park will remain whole and any
potential impacts to the facility and services will be fully mitigated at the
developer's cost if the plan is ultimately implemented; and,
WHEREAS, the sport of rowing provides an excellent opportunity for healthy,
wholesome recreation and generates significant educational, team building and
leadership opportunities for community children and youth; and,
WHEREAS, The development of a rowing facility in Columbus will produce a
significant economic impact and enhance the linkage between Uptown Columbus,
South Columbus and Fort Benning.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute a Memorandum of
Understanding with Chattahoochee Rowing, Ltd., for master planning and other
purposes of rowing facility on City owned property. The City Manager is
further authorized to apply for grant funds in support of the Master Plan and
implementation of the plan provided there is no City match required for the
grant.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________day of _____________, and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of _____________ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
________________________ _________________________
Tiny Washington, Clerk of Council , Mayor
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