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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11c - Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program Grant FundsResolution No. 7342 Prop 68 Application Approval November 17, 2020 Page 1 of 3 DATE: November 17, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Tom Tait, Public Works Services Director Sara Somogyi, Director of Recreation and Community Services By: Jacquelyn Mercado, Senior Management Analyst SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 7342 APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR STATEWIDE PARK DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION PROGRAM 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 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization 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. 7342 approving the application for the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program Grant 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 Recreation and Parks Master Plan, which is the guiding policy document that provides recommendations for prioritizing future recommendations for growth, development, and implementation strategies related to parks and recreation services. Resolution No. 7342 Prop 68 Application Approval November 17, 2020 Page 2 of 3 The 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, and Federal grants, the City’s Parks Impact Fee, and Capital Improvement Project Funds. DISCUSSION The California Department of Parks and Recreation oversees and administers the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program. This grant funding opportunity requires a 20% local 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”) as best meeting the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program criteria for funding, while also keeping in line with the City’s park development goals. Preliminary Newcastle Park project features includes the following: - New pickle ball courts - New Par 3 course station - New restroom/storage facility - New concrete walkway with LED lighting - New picnic amenities - New children’s play equipment - New lighted sand volleyball courts with bleachers - Resurfacing of tennis courts and new court fencing, lighting, and gates - Parking lot improvements - Perimeter fencing improvements As part of the grant requirements, the Public Works Services and Recreation and Community Services Departments will hold several community based socially distanced online planning meetings to solicit input on the Park’s proposed conceptual design and amenities. Additional, community outreach on the proposed park plan will include online surveys, City mailers, and pushing out information on the City’s website and social media. Following the community based planning process, the Park’s conceptual design and public comments will be presented to the City Council prior to going out for the design/build process. 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 Resolution No. 7342 Prop 68 Application Approval November 17, 2020 Page 3 of 3 submitted through March 12, 2021. If awarded grant funding, the project must be completed by March 2025. 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 the Newcastle Precise Scoping Plan is completed. FISCAL IMPACT The Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program funding opportunity requires a 20% match for successful grantees not serving a severely disadvantage community. Design and construction costs for the Newcastle Park Improvement Project is included in next year’s Capital Improvement Program budget with a total project construction cost of approximately $3.75 million. If successful, the grant would reimburse the City up to 80% of the total project costs, or $3 million. There is sufficient funding in the Park Development Fund to provide the required 20% match for the proposed project. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a project and is therefore, exempt under, the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and adopt Resolution No. 7342 approving the application for the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program Grant Funds. Attachments: Resolution No. 7342 Exhibit “A” – Proposed Newcastle Park Project Newcastle Park (Existing) Exhibit “A” Newcastle Park (Proposed)