In keeping with its August 24 decision to fund site preparation costs for an all-access playground otherwise funded by Moraga Rotary, the Moraga town council agreed to immediately allocate $45,000 for preliminary engineering and environmental work on the project.
Council members Teresa Onoda and Phil Arth voted against the funding, because the overall cost to the town has increased according to the latest estimate, and because there are talks of Lafayette envisioning the building of an even larger all-access playground in the Deer Hill housing development.
It is primarily budgetary considerations that weakened Onoda's and Arth's initial enthusiastic support of the proposed Rotary-town partnership. Both reaffirmed their complete support of the project, but added that the over $200,000 that the town will now have to spend to prepare the site, instead of the $145,000 originally approved, was too much.
"We are agreeing to spend $45,000 (for preliminary engineering work) and if Lafayette does (an all access park), we've spent $45,000 for nothing?" asked Onoda as she stated her opposition at the Sept. 28 council meeting.
Mayor Mike Metcalf, vice mayor Trotter and councilmember Roger Wykle supported the project saying that the town's contribution will come from development impact fees that can only be used for recreation projects, and that a $200,000 town investment will result in a $460,000 asset for the town, thanks to a pledged $260,000 donation from the Moraga Rotary.
Kick-off to All-access Playground
Moraga Rotary invites the community to the official start to the fundraising campaign for the All-access Playground, at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6 at the Moraga Commons. A few people will speak at the event, and wine and cheese will be served.
Council members Teresa Onoda and Phil Arth voted against the funding, because the overall cost to the town has increased according to the latest estimate, and because there are talks of Lafayette envisioning the building of an even larger all-access playground in the Deer Hill housing development.
It is primarily budgetary considerations that weakened Onoda's and Arth's initial enthusiastic support of the proposed Rotary-town partnership. Both reaffirmed their complete support of the project, but added that the over $200,000 that the town will now have to spend to prepare the site, instead of the $145,000 originally approved, was too much.
"We are agreeing to spend $45,000 (for preliminary engineering work) and if Lafayette does (an all access park), we've spent $45,000 for nothing?" asked Onoda as she stated her opposition at the Sept. 28 council meeting.
Mayor Mike Metcalf, vice mayor Trotter and councilmember Roger Wykle supported the project saying that the town's contribution will come from development impact fees that can only be used for recreation projects, and that a $200,000 town investment will result in a $460,000 asset for the town, thanks to a pledged $260,000 donation from the Moraga Rotary.
Kick-off to All-access Playground
Moraga Rotary invites the community to the official start to the fundraising campaign for the All-access Playground, at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6 at the Moraga Commons. A few people will speak at the event, and wine and cheese will be served.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA