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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 7e - Wilderness Park Debris Removal Design Grant Application STAFF REPORT PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES DEPARTMENT DATE: October 21, 2025 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Paul Cranmer, Public Works Services Director By: Daniel Vargas, Management Analyst SUBJECT: GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE WILDERNESS PARK DEBRIS REMOVAL DESIGN FOR THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM CEQA: Not a Project Recommendation: Approve SUMMARY The Los Angeles County Safe, Clean Neighborhood Parks and Beaches Measure of 2016 (“Measure A”) provides local funding for park, recreation, and open space projects, and their maintenance, through an annual special tax on all taxable real property in the County. The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (“RPOSD”) is responsible for implementing and administering Measure A funds and has announced the opening of the 2025 Competitive Grant Program. The Public Works Services Department (“PWSD”) has carefully reviewed the program requirements and has identified the Wilderness Park Debris Removal Design, which was included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program (“CIP”), as a strong candidate for the Competitive Grant Program. It is recommended that the City Council approve the submittal of a grant application for the Wilderness Park Debris Removal Design for the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District Competitive Grant Program. BACKGROUND After the 2020 Bobcat Fire, a heavy rainstorm in 2021 caused a major mudflow event that originated from the scarred hillsides. The mudflow buried much of Wilderness Application for RPOSD Competitive Grant Program October 21, 2025 Page 2 of 4 Park under more than eight feet of mud and debris, covering walking paths, picnic areas, trees, and facilities. Subsequent rainstorms in 2023 added to the issue, depositing even more mud and debris into the park. Unfortunately, the 2021 rainstorm also washed away a portion of the LA County-owned bridge into Wilderness Park. This has led to significant delays in beginning the debris removal at Wilderness Park. Additionally, in 2024, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works installed a conveyer belt in Wilderness Park for the Santa Anita Dam sediment removal project, causing further delays in the debris removal process. The Fiscal Year 2025-26 CIP Budget includes the Wilderness Park Debris Removal Design. This project involves developing design plans for debris removal as well as mitigation strategies aimed at reducing or preventing damage from future mudflow events at Wilderness Park. The Wilderness Park Debris Removal Design is a necessary precursor to the actual debris removal efforts, as it involves the development of detailed design and mitigation plans. These plans are critical to ensure that debris removal is conducted safely, effectively, and in compliance with all regulatory requirements. Measure A provides local funding for park, recreation, and open space projects, and their maintenance, through an annual special tax on all taxable real property in the County. The Los Angeles County RPOSD is responsible for implementing and administering Measure A funds and has announced the opening of the 2025 Competitive Grant Program, which will provide funding to support planning and development efforts across Los Angeles County. The Competitive Grant Program offers up to $500,000 in funding for planning and design projects that support pre- construction efforts, which lead to shovel-ready development projects that improve and protect natural lands, open space, and water resources through development and restoration. The PWSD has carefully reviewed the Measure A program requirements and has identified the Wilderness Park Debris Removal Design as an ideal project for the Competitive Grant Program. DISCUSSION The Wilderness Park Debris Removal Design will include the development of topographic surveys, geotechnical and environmental testing, conceptual designs, construction documents, permitting work, and cost estimates for the debris removal at Wilderness Park. In addition to creating detailed design plans for debris removal, Application for RPOSD Competitive Grant Program October 21, 2025 Page 3 of 4 comprehensive mitigation strategies will be developed to safeguard Wilderness Park by minimizing risk and impact from future mudflow events. These strategies will address potential vulnerabilities and incorporate best practices to enhance the park’s resilience against natural hazards. The design will lead to a shovel-ready construction project aimed at protecting and restoring the natural lands and open space of Wilderness Park through effective debris removal, erosion control, and improved landscape stability. Additionally, the design will lay the groundwork for a construction phase that will support the restoration and eventual reopening of Wilderness Park, ultimately reestablishing safe public access to the park and its valuable natural resources. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The proposed action of applying for a grant does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), as it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. Further CEQA review will be undertaken at future phases of the Wilderness Park restoration effort, as required and appropriate. FISCAL IMPACT The PWSD has worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (“CalOES”) to secure funding for debris removal at Wilderness Park. Approximately, $4.7 million from CalOES and $1.5 million from FEMA have been secured for the debris removal. These public assistance grants are for the reimbursement of the cost to remove the debris from the park. The Wilderness Park Debris Removal Design is not eligible for CalOES or FEMA funding. Funds in the amount of $450,000 were budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 CIP for the Wilderness Park Debris Removal Design. The PWSD plans on submitting an application through the Competitive Grant Program, in the amount of $450,000. If successful, the Regional Park and Open Space District will reimburse the City for the cost of the Wilderness Park Debris Removal Design. Application for RPOSD Competitive Grant Program October 21, 2025 Page 4 of 4 RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and approve the submittal of a grant application for the Wilderness Park Debris Removal Design for the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District Competitive Grant Program.