HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2d - Land and Water Conservation Funds for Fairview Park Improvement ProjectResolution No. 7200 Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Application Approval
January 16, 2018
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DATE: January 16, 2018
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Tom Tait, Public Works Services Director
Sara Somogyi, Director of Recreation and Community Services
By: Jacquelyn Mercado, Management Analyst
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 7200 APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND FAIRVIEW PARK
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Recommendation: Adopt
SUMMARY
The National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund Program is a
competitive grant program that provides matching funds to States and local
governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas. In
order to submit an application for this grant funding opportunity, the City Council must certify, by resolution, the approval of an application.
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 7200 approving the
application submittal for federal grant funding from the Land and Water Conservation
Fund for the Fairview Park Improvement Project.
BACKGROUND
The City of Arcadia’s goals and policies for park acquisition, park development, and
recreation program policies are addressed in the 2010 City of Arcadia General Plan. On August 1, 2017, the City Council approved the 2017 Recreation and Parks Master Plan,
which is a guiding policy document that provides recommendations for prioritizing future
recommendations for growth, development, and implementation strategies related to
parks and recreation services.
The 2017 Recreation and Parks Master Plan identified over $60 million in potential
improvements to parks throughout the City. This included $51.5 million proposed project
costs on City property and an additional $9 million for projects at Los Angeles County
Park. The key sources of proposed funding for these projects included County, State,
and Federal grants, the City’s Parks Development and Capital Improvement Funds.
Resolution No. 7200 Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Application Approval
January 16, 2018
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DISCUSSION
The National Park Service oversees the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund
Grant Program and it is administered locally through the California Department of Parks and Recreation. This grant funding opportunity is a competitive grant and requires successful grant awards to fund 100% up-front costs for project improvements. The
Land and Water Conservation Fund provides 50% matching funds to local cities and
counties to acquire, develop, operate and maintain park and recreation areas and
facilities that provide or support public outdoor recreation. Additionally, the Land and Water Conservation Fund requires that properties awarded grant funding be committed to outdoor park and open space use in perpetuity.
The Public Works Services and Recreation and Community Services Departments
carefully reviewed the application requirements and identified the Fairview Park Improvement Project as best meeting the grant criteria for consideration of funding while also keeping in line with the City’s park development goals. The Fairview Park
Improvement Project aims to beautify the park with new landscaping, as well as provide
new recreation opportunities for park users by adding new children’s play equipment
and new dog park amenities (Exhibit “A”). The scope of work includes installation of all new park benches, barbeque and picnic amenities, shade structures, walkway lighting, playground equipment, and an ADA compliant drinking fountain. The new dog park
amenities would include independent areas for both small and large size dogs, a dog
drinking fountain, dog bag dispensers, new perimeter fencing, and an infiltration swale.
The grant requires a 1:1 match, but cannot exceed reimbursement of more than 50% of the total project cost. Additionally, the City Council must certify by resolution the
approval of the submittal of an application and the availability of eligible matching funds
prior to submission of the application to the California Department of Parks and
Recreation. Applications are due by February 5, 2018, to the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the state will ultimately recommend proposed projects to the National Park Service. Awarded projects are expected to be announced by mid-year.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the
environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA.
Resolution No. 7200 Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Application Approval
January 16, 2018
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FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed Fairview Park Improvement Project will be included in next year’s Capital
Improvement Program budget with the caveat that the project will only happen if the City receives federal grant funding. The total project cost is $1,137,433 and the grant will reimburse the City up to half of the total project costs, or $568,716.50. The grant
requires a 1:1 match, but cannot exceed reimbursement of more than 50% of the total
project cost. There is sufficient funding in the Park Development Fund to complete the
proposed project. RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 7200 approving the
application for Land and Water Conservation Fund Fairview Park Improvement Project.
Attachments: Exhibit “A” Fairview Park Plans Resolution No. 7200
Fairview Park (Existing)
Exhibit “A”
Fairview Park (Proposed)
Fairview Park (Proposed)
Aerial View of Park
Children’s Play Area
Dog Park