HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated May 12, 2026ITEM #:12
DATE:05-12-26
DEPT:P&R
SUBJECT:MOORE MEMORIAL PARK AND FUTURE SHARED USE PATH EASEMENT
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
In the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan adopted by City Council in June 2024, it includes a
shared use path from Moore Memorial Park, across Ioway Creek, and continuing along Scholl
Road to Ontario Street. The first step for this path is to acquire easements on Iowa State
University (ISU) property. Staff has been working with ISU staff on developing an easement
agreement so a bridge can be installed over Ioway Creek and a future shared use path can be
installed on ISU property. A map of the easements is included in the attached agreement.
The effective date of the agreement is July 1, 2026. A summary of the agreement is shown
below:
Paragraph 2 Use - Defines the City shall use the easement area for the purpose of
constructing, installing, using, maintaining, and repairing a bridge and a shared use path that
is open to use by the public. Additionally, the City (Grantee) and ISU (Grantor) may use the
easement area as a route for maintenance vehicles and/or emergency vehicles.
Paragraph 4. b. Construction Plans - Unless mutually agreed otherwise, construction plans
shall require the following: (i) bridge will be a prefabricated steel truss style with concrete
abutments; (ii) bridge width and weight capacity (10,000 lbs recommended) must
accommodate maintenance and emergency vehicles; (iii) the bridge must include bollards to
prevent unauthorized vehicle access; (iv) path will be hard surfaced; (v) path will be no more
than 12' wide with 10' wide low-growing landscape buffer on each side where feasible; (vi)
screening to be installed to prevent public access to the Veenker Memorial Golf Course from
the shared use path; (vii) access points to be installed in the screening as requested by
Grantor; and (viii) relocate bulk material storage pad. The Grantee shall be solely responsible
for all expenses associated with the construction.
Paragraph 5 Maintenance and Repair - Grantee shall be solely responsible at its expense
for maintaining and repairing the easement area. Any damage caused by the Grantor will be
the sole responsibility of the Grantor.
Paragraph 10 Duration - Easement is granted, and all rights set forth in this agreement shall
endure, so long as Grantee continues to use the easement area for any of the purposes set
forth in paragraph 2 above in accordance with this agreement.
Once this agreement is approved by City Council, it will go the Board of Regents on June 9 for
approval.
Please note that funding of $400,000 is included in the 2026/27 CIP for installation of a bridge
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over Ioway Creek. The funding includes an already awarded $200,000 Resource
Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant from the Iowa DNR. Public Works included
$25,000 in its 2024/25 CIP for trail design and $100,000 in its 2025/26 CIP to construct a path
from Moore Memorial Park to the bridge. The goal is to get this first phase of path and bridge
completed in FY 2026/27.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the easement agreement with Iowa State University (ISU) to place a bridge and
future shared use path on ISU property
2. Do not approve the lease agreement
3. Refer back to staff
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
A trail connection from Moore Memorial Park to Ontario Street has been discussed for many
years and would provide residents and ISU students a new route between these sections of
town. This trail will also provide access to the recently planted prairie in Moore Memorial Park
on the west side of Ioway Creek.
To bring this trail connection to reality, it is necessary for the City to obtain an
easement from ISU. Approval of the easement agreement before Council will allow the
work to begin. Both ISU and the City realize the benefits this trail will provide to all
users. Therefore, it is the City Manager's recommendation to approve Alternative #1 as stated
above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Bridge & Shared Use Path Easement wExhibits.pdf
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