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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11b - Approving Applications for Per Capita Grant FundsResolution No. 7275 Prop 68 Application Approval September 17, 2019 Page 1 of 3 DATE: September 17, 2019 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Tom Tait, Public Works Services Director By: Jacquelyn Mercado, Senior Management Analyst SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 7275 APPROVING APPLICATION(S) FOR PER CAPITA GRANT FUNDS Recommendation: Adopt SUMMARY The Parks and Water Bond Act of 2018 (Proposition 68), a $4.1 billion bond measure to fund state and local parks, environmental projects, water infrastructure projects and flood protection projects throughout California, was approved by voters on June 5, 2018. A Per Capita Grant Program, included in Proposition 68, provides for local park rehabilitation, creation, and improvement grants, to local government agencies. In order to submit an application for this competitive grant funding opportunity, the City Council must certify, by resolution, the approval of all application submittals. It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 7275 approving the application submittals for Parks and Water Bond Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) Per Capita Grant Program Funds. 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 the Arcadia County Park. The key sources of proposed funding for these projects included County, State, Resolution No. 7275 Prop 68 Application Approval September 17, 2019 Page 2 of 3 and Federal grants, the City’s Parks Impact Fees, and Capital Improvement Project Funds. DISCUSSION The California Department of Parks and Recreation oversees and administers the Per Capita Grant Program. This grant funding opportunity requires a 20% match for successful grantees not serving a “severely disadvantage community” (median household income less than 60% of the statewide average). Funds are available for local park rehabilitation, creation, and improvements such as those identified in the City’s Recreation and Parks Master Plan. The Public Works Services and Recreation and Community Services Departments carefully reviewed the application requirements and have identified Newcastle Park (Exhibit “A”) and Fairview Park (Exhibit “B”) as best meeting the Per Capita Grant Program criteria and consideration for funding while also keeping in line with the City’s park development goals. These park projects include a variety of improvements from installing new playground equipment and pickle ball courts at Newcastle Park, to creating new dog park amenities at Fairview Park. Prior to moving forward with the bidding process, City staff will hold public workshops to solicit input on the Park’s conceptual design and amenities. Following the public workshop process, City staff will present the Park’s conceptual design and public comments to the City Council prior to going out to bid. The City Council must certify by resolution the approval of the submittal of all project applications and the availability of eligible matching funds prior to submission of the applications to the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Applications may be submitted through January 31, 2020, to the California Department of Parks and Recreation. If awarded grant funding, the project(s) must be completed by December 31, 2021. 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. The eventual development of any parks through the use of these grant funds may require environmental clearances, which will be evaluated once more is known about the proposed work at each location. FISCAL IMPACT The Per Capita Grant Program funding opportunity requires a 20% match for successful grantees not serving a severely disadvantage community. The proposed Newcastle Park Improvement Project is included in next year’s Capital Improvement Program Resolution No. 7275 Prop 68 Application Approval September 17, 2019 Page 3 of 3 budget with a total project cost of approximately $3.4 million. The grant would reimburse the City up to 80% of the total project costs, or $2.7 million. The proposed Fairview Park Improvement Project will be included in next year’s Capital Improvement Program budget if the City receives state grant funding. The total Fairview Park Improvement Project cost is approximately $1.5 million and the grant will reimburse the City up to 80% of the total project costs, or $1.2 million. There is sufficient funding in the Park Development Fund to provide the required 20% match for both proposed projects. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 7275 approving the application(s) for Per Capita Grant Funds. Attachments: Resolution No. 7275 Exhibit “A” – Proposed Newcastle Park Project Exhibit “B” – Proposed Fairview Park Project Newcastle Park (Existing) Exhibit “A” Newcastle Park (Proposed) Fairview Park (Existing) Exhibit “B” Fairview Park (Proposed)