Subject
title
Approve and authorize the City Manager to Execute State of Maryland Capital Projects Grant Agreements for the David Scull Park Improvements (RA19)
end
Department
Recreation & Parks
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council of Rockville approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the State of Maryland Capital Projects Grant Agreements between the Mayor and Council of Rockville and the State of Maryland in a form acceptable to the City Attorney for capital improvements to David Scull Park Improvement (RA19).
Discussion
The City of Rockville was awarded $100,000 and $150,000 via a State of Maryland bond bill in 2024 for capital improvements. This project will allow for various improvement to David Scull Park including a gateway entrance at the intersection of East Gude Drive and Taft Street with signage, demolition of existing 1970s shelter, new pavilion with restroom, walkway connecting East Gude Drive to First Street, various, tree, shrub and perennial planting beds, rain garden and safety improvements to stormwater inlet, and conversion of baseball/softball field to rectangular multi-use athletic field.
The Office of the City Attorney advises that the Mayor and Council of Rockville should consider the long-term risk associated with this State of Maryland bond bill. In both agreements, Section 13: Disposition of Property, requires that the City of Rockville gets written consent from the State of Maryland Board of Public works if it sells, leases, exchanges, gives away, or otherwise transfers or disposes of any interest in real or personal property acquired or improved with grant funds. When consenting to a transfer or disposition, the Board of Public Works may in its sole discretion require the grantee to repay a percentage of the proceeds that are allocable to the grant. There is no sunset clause for this requirement.
Mayor and Council History
This is the first time these specific State of Maryland Capital Projects Grant Agreements have been brought to the Mayor and Council of Rockville. The City of Rockville received several State of Maryland bond bills in the past. Examples of projects include the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre ADA Parking Lot (2015); Rockville Swim and Fitness Center Outdoor Locker Room Renovations (2016); King Farm Farmstead Dairy Barns (2017); Rockville Senior Center ADA Improvements (2018); Lincoln Park Community Center Renovations (2021), and Twinbrook Community Center Annex - Restroom Renovation (RC24).
Fiscal Impact
The $250,000 in capital grants for the David Scull Park Improvements (RA19) does not require a funding match from the City of Rockville. This grant was recognized on FY 2025 Budget Amendment #2 (October 28, 2024) and has been incorporated into the Capital Improvements Program (CIP). The FY 2025 David Scull Park Improvements (RA19) project page can be found in Attachment 3.
Next Steps
If approved by the Mayor and Council of Rockville, the City Manager will execute the State of Maryland Capital Projects Grant Agreements for the David Scull Park Improvements (RA19) in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. The executed agreements will go before the State of Maryland Board of Public Works as an agenda item for approval.