Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home City Council has authorized City Manager Craig Martin to apply for up to $10,000 in grant funds to help pay for improvements to the BMX park at Upper Sankey Park.
The Parks Board requested the city submit an application to support the bike track improvements requested by James Goble on behalf of local BMX enthusiasts, said Public Works Director Mike Adams. The project has been identified within the recently completed Parks Master Plan update.
The project includes a variety of improvements but primarily focuses on bringing jumps up to standard for BMX tracks. Goble approached the city about gathering volunteers and going to work on the track last year. Ultimately, he would like to expand the track and use more space in the upper upper park.
The project requires a 40-percent match, Adams said. It can include cash or in-kind labor or equipment use.
Councilor Dave Trask voted to apply for the funds, but he said he had some concerns about the city’s financial condition next year. He said he doesn’t have a problem with the BMX track, but he is concerned that with the funding currently available, the city cannot keep its parks in good working order right now.
With a $600,000 “shortfall,” he said, he’s concerned about where the city will get $4,000 for this project.
“We don’t do the maintenance we need to, I think,” Trask said.
The Police Department fund faces a funding gap of more than $600,000 in 2015-16, the final year of its operating levy, if the city takes no action to fill the gap.
If approved, any funds would need to be allocated in the 2014-15 city budget, Adams said. Using the grant would be contingent on passing the budget.
The grant funds are available through Oregon Parks and Recreation, funded by the State Lottery.
Voting for the grant were councilors Craig Fentiman, Mayor Jim Gourley, Trask and Greg Mahler. Bruce Hobbs, Scott McKee Jr. and Marybeth Angulo were absent.
“I must say that I am extremely impressed with the Parks Board and the City of Sweet Home for coming together as one with the public in a full team effort in giving the Sankey Park BMX track a full facelift,” Goble said. “To me that says a lot about our community.”
In other business:
n The council appointed Ned Kilpatrick to the Planning Commission. He succeeds Mike E. Adams, who resigned after returning to active duty in the National Guard, where he serves as an attorney.
Two others applied for the position, including Tim Suhr and Todd Branson.