REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Recommendation on Resolution to Apply for Proposition 68 “Per Capita” Grant Funds available from the California State Department of Parks and Recreation for Maywood Park Rehabilitation
Report
BACKGROUND
On June 5, 2018, state voters approved Proposition 68 (the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018). In July 2020, the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) announced Per Capita Program funding amounts for local governments to rehabilitate existing parks infrastructure (not maintenance) and to address deficiencies in neighborhoods lacking access to the outdoors. The City of Santa Clara is eligible for $177,952 from the General Per Capita Program and an additional $78,670 from the Urban County Per Capita Program, for total funds in the amount of $256,622.
In order to receive funds, the City must approve and submit an authorizing resolution to the State, followed by a project application and agreement. The Per Capita grant funds may not supplant existing funds, and a 20% local match is required. The grant application is due by January 31, 2021, with Project completion due December 2023.
One of the City Council pillars is to “enhance community sports, recreation and arts assets.” Over the past several years, Santa Clara has prioritized the rehabilitation of parks and recreation facilities to make them more inclusionary, environmentally sustainable, age-friendly, and to provide measurably increased play value while meeting the diverse needs of the increasing resident population. In addition, the City’s parks and recreation Facility Condition Assessment (Kitchell, 2018) provided an inventory of existing park buildings and assets in need of rehabilitation/renewal to meet current accessibility, building and safety codes.
The Parks & Recreation Commission, as part of their Work Plan goals FY2018/19-19/20 reviewed existing park infrastructure conditions, informed the community about parks and recreation rehabilitation needs, and discussed potential funding opportunities and sources. On August 20, 2019 the Commission (RTC #19-518) recommended a “top ten” list of park playground and/or rehabilitation projects for potential inclusion in the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) given the park age, asset conditions and funding limitations. In 2020, Council approved the FY2020/21 and FY2021/22 CIP Budget which included the Maywood Park playground rehabilitation project.
DISCUSSION
The State of California Per Capita Program funding grant in the amount of $256,662 and required 20% local match, are insufficient to fund even a small playground rehabilitation project based on the City’s recent experience with playground renovations and park construction bids. Therefore, it is recommended that the funds be used to supplement Quimby Act park In Lieu Fees from new housing development to fund a larger rehabilitation project. Maywood Park dates from 1961; its playground and park site amenities are in critical condition (Kitchell, 2018). The timeline of the Project works well with the grant timeline as it is one of the next projects to begin community engagement. These grant funds will allow amenities to be identified by the community in the public outreach process and included in the final Project scope.
The Per Capita Grant program requires City adoption of a Resolution (Attachment 1) in order to submit a project application. The final draft of the Resolution will be prepared by the City Attorney’s Office and will confirm that the City has the funding to complete, operate and maintain the Project, and will authorize the City Manager to administer the Grant.
The Commission makes recommendations to City Council regarding parks improvements. Following Commission discussion of the grant program and the staff recommendation of Maywood Park as the Project site, it will make a recommendation for Council consideration.
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.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Proposition 68 Per Capita Program funds in the amount of $256,622 are additional to the approved CIP Budget for Maywood Park Playground Rehabilitation Project. The grant requires a 20% match or approximately $51,332, which will be more than met by the CIP Project appropriations of $2 million dollars.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting 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> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Recommend that Council Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit an Application for Proposition 68 Per Capita Program for Maywood Park Rehabilitation.
Staff
Reviewed by: Cheri Fulk, Management Analyst
Approved by: James Teixeira, Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Resolution