REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into Agreements with Magical Bridge Foundation and Groundswell Landscape Architects for the Design of a Magical Bridge All-Inclusive Playground and Licensing, Community Outreach, and Fundraising
Report
BACKGROUND
The Magical Bridge Foundation (Magical Bridge) has a unique combination of expertise in the field of inclusive playgrounds, commitment to raise funds towards design and construction, and the ability to facilitate comprehensive outreach campaigns to raise funds and awareness for all-inclusive projects. Magical Bridge's first inclusive playground was constructed at Mitchell Park in Palo Alto in 2015. The playgrounds are designed to meet all accessibility requirements and include unique play elements that address the needs of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory challenges, visual and auditory impairments, cognitive, developmental and physical disabilities, including the medically frail.
On April 3, 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 18-8511 which approved a grant application with the County of Santa Clara (County) and delegated authority to the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to complete the scope of work, and authorized execution of a Letter of Intent with Magical Bridge, and approved related budget amendments. At that time, staff informed the Council that the consulting services and license agreement would come to Council for consideration at a future date.
The City partnered with Magical Bridge on the grant application, but it was not successful. On October 9, 2018, the Council adopted Resolution No. 18-8610 and the City submitted a new grant application that was awarded. On March 29, 2019, the City entered into a grant agreement with the County in the reimbursable amount of $1,765,020. The Project site is approximately one acre in size and located in Central Park (Attachment 3).
The City is now ready to proceed with the project.
DIS...
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