REPORT TO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Recommend Acceptance of a Financial Donation to the City for the Purchase, Installation, and Maintenance of a Park Bench in Bracher Park in the name of Myles Anthony Smith
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
Donations to the City of Santa Clara must be in accordance with Council Policy 051 Donations to the City (Attachment 1). Donations may be offered in the form of cash, real or personal property. A “designated donation” is the term used when a donor specifies intended use by a particular City department, location, or purpose.
The City has received a request from Anthony Smith, father of Myles Anthony Smith, to donate funds to the City for the installation of a park bench at Bracher Park in honor of Myles Anthony Smith. Myles passed away on September 11, 2022 from a rare form of sarcoma at the age of eight years old. Myles often visited Santa Clara on numerous weekends to visit family, riding his bike and playing basketball at Bracher Park. Myles would often persuade family members to go to the park and play rather than be indoors and play video games.
DISCUSSION
Parks & Recreation Department staff reviewed the request to donate funds for the purpose of installing an additional park bench in Bracher Park, confirmed that it is a needed amenity, and the donation conforms with the City donation policy. The donation will enable the City to recover all costs associated with the purchase and installation of the bench. The size, shape, type, location in Bracher Park of the bench, any recognition plaque and subsequent limited periodic maintenance will be determined at the sole discretion of the Parks & Recreation Department in conformance with the Bracher Park Master Plan and the Parks & Recreation Design Standards and Amenities.
The Parks & Recreation Commission will discuss and consider a recommendation to approve the acceptance of a designated donation in the amount of $6,500 to purchase, install and maintain a bench in Bracher Park.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed donation of funds ($6,500) for the installation of a bench in Bracher Park will cover the purchase of the bench, materials, supplies and labor to install, and limited periodic maintenance. The donation does not cover the lifecycle replacement of the bench in the future. The General Fund would not be impacted by the installation or maintenance of a bench in Bracher Park.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment. The installation of the bench is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures). The installation of a new park bench “consists of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures” including but not limited to appurtenant structures.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Parks & Recreation Commission agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Action to recommend acceptance of a designated monetary donation for the purchase, installation, and limited periodic maintenance of a park bench for Bracher Park in the name of Myles Anthony Smith.
Staff
Reviewed by: Dale Seale, Deputy Parks & Recreation Director
Approved by: James Teixeira, Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Council Policy 051 Donations to the City