Title
Dept./ Agency: Economic and Housing Development
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Acceptance of Grant Funds
Purpose: Renovating the “Wars of America” Monument at Military Park
Entity Name: Essex County
Entity Address: 465 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Newark, New Jersey 07102
Grant Amount: $300,000.00
Total Project Cost: $300,000.00
City Contribution: No City Funds Required
Other Funding Source/Amount: $0.00
Grant Period: N/A
Contract Basis: ( ) Bid ( ) State Vendor ( ) Prof. Ser. ( ) EUS
( ) Fair & Open ( ) No Reportable Contributions ( ) RFP ( ) RFQ
( ) Private Sale (X) Grant ( ) Sub-recipient ( ) n/a
List of Property: (if applicable)
(Address/Block/Lot/Ward/Site Known As)
Additional Information:
Accepts grant from the Essex County Open Space Trust Fund.
No commencement date was provided by Essex County.
The renovation of the monument should be completed no later than June 1, 2018, but the County has the sole discretion to extend the completion deadline.
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WHEREAS, pursuant to its authority under N.J.S.A. 40:12-15.1, the Essex County Open Space Local Aid Program makes funds available to assist Essex County municipalities with projects that qualify for funding from the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs has been working closely with the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Board relative to specific needs and improvements in the County Park System; and
WHEREAS, by Ordinance 6S&Fa, adopted May 17, 2006, the Municipal Council authorized the issuance of a bond appropriation of Two Million Dollars and Zero Cents ($2,000,000.00) for capital improvements for the restoration of Military Park; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution 7R3-a(S), adopted October 23, 2012, the Municipal Council of the City of Newark approved the execution of a Redevelopment Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Military Park Partnership, Inc., c/o The Newark Alliance, 744 Broad Street, Suite 1705, Newark, New Jersey 07102, which Agreement provides for the rehabilitation of Military Park (the “Park”), and a Grant Agreement, which provided a grant of Two Million Dollars and Zero Cents ($2,000,000.00) to contribute funding toward the rehabilitation of the Park; and
WHEREAS, the “Wars of America” Monument, (the “Monument”) designed by Gutzon Borglum, is a large bronze sculpture which serves as a centerpiece of the Park, and which is on the National Register of Historic Places; and
WHEREAS, the Monument was not targeted for renovation under the terms of the Agreement, and the funding provided was not adequate to provide for its renovation; and
WHEREAS, on May 2, 2016, the Essex County Recreation & Open Space Trust Advisory Board reviewed and approved the allocation of funds for Local Aid Award to the City of Newark for the Renovation of the Monument in the amount not to exceed Three Hundred Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($300,000.00); and
WHEREAS, by Resolution 62, adopted May 11, 2016, the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders approved the allocation of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($300,000.00), to fund a Local Aid Award to the City of Newark for the renovation of the Monument; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to accept the award of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($300,000.00), and to execute a Grant Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit ‘A’ for the purpose of renovating the Wars of America Monument at Military Park.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Mayor and/or his designee, the Acting Director of the Department of Economic and Housing Development are hereby authorized to accept the grant award of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($300,000.00) from the Essex County Open Space Trust Fund and to enter into and execute the Grant Agreement with the Essex County in the form attached as Exhibit ‘A’ for the purpose of renovating the Wars of America Monument at Military Park, with no City funds required. (a copy of the Grant Agreement is attached hereto and made a part hereof).
2. No municipal funds are required for receipt or acceptance of this grant award.
3. The Acting Director of the Department of Economic and Housing Development shall file a fully-executed copy of the grant agreement between the City of Newark and Essex County in the Office of City Clerk.
STATEMENT
This resolution authorizes the Mayor, and/or his designee, the Acting Director of Economic and Housing Development, to accept the grant award of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($300,000.00), from the Essex County Open Space Trust Fund and to execute the Grant Agreement for the purpose of renovating the Wars of America Monument at Military Park. No municipal funds are required.