REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Recommend Eligibility Criteria for the Community Garden Program at the Mini Park Located at 3450 Copper Place
Report
BACKGROUND
One of the City Council Pillars since 2014 has been “to enhance community sports, recreation and arts assets. In 2018, the City dedicated its first community garden at the Everett N. “Eddie” Souza Park & Community Garden. The review of new parks and programs is within the purview of the Parks & Recreation Commission. The Parks & Recreation Commission recommended priorities for the Souza Community Garden program that included criteria for eligibility, and rules for access and use. The Everett N. “Eddie” Souza Community Garden eligibility prioritized City of Santa Clara residents (residency), persons living within ½ mile of the garden (geographic proximity), persons with low income or on public assistance (income), and youth & seniors (age).
On October 17, 2017, the Commission reviewed and recommended City Council approval of the schematic design for the SummerHill-Lawrence Station Area Public Parkland (Attachment 1). The parkland consists of eight (8) mini parks including the community garden in Mini Park G, located at 3450 Copper Place (Attachment 2). In 2019, the Department began an interest list for the new community garden that was featured in the Activity Guide and on the Department’s program registration system. The community garden is projected to open in fall 2021.
The community garden has 26 raised garden beds, container garden display beds, picnic benches, a shared storage shed, compost area, five specimen fruit trees, and community blueberry bushes. Funds generated by the Community Facilities District 2019-1 (Lawrence Station) (CFD) for the Lawrence Station Area Public Parkland will contribute to the maintenance costs of parks, and eligible costs of community garden maintenance.
DISCUSSION
Given that the public garden is within a CFD, and there is a finite number of garden beds available, staff proposes eligibility criteria based on geographic proximity, income, age, and residency in the following order:
1. Santa Clara residents living within the Community Facilities District No. 2019-1 (Lawrence Station) boundaries (Attachment 3)
2. Santa Clara residents who are Low Income
3. Santa Clara residents 55 years and older, and/or families with children
4. Other City of Santa Clara residents
Staff developed the above proposed eligibility and priorities based on the CFD and program experience at the Everett N. “Eddie” Souza Community Garden.
Following the adoption of eligibility criteria and program rules of use, staff will advertise and hold a lottery among eligible residents to be assigned a garden bed, complete a rental agreement, and be a Community Garden Member for up to three years. The Community Garden will have a minor, annual program participant fee and renew their membership annually (twice). A designated recreation coordinator will supervise the program and waitlist, conduct gardener orientations, garden member meetings, garden training and workshop opportunities that may be offered in conjunction with the Eddie Souza Community Garden Program.
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.
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> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Recommend approval of community garden eligibility criteria in the order presented in the report.
2. Recommend approval of community garden eligibility criteria in a different priority order.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Recommend community garden eligibility criteria (geographic proximity, income, age, and residency) in the following priority order: (1) Santa Clara residents living within the Community Facilities District No. 2019-1 (Lawrence Station) boundaries, (2) Santa Clara residents who are Low Income, (3) Santa Clara residents 55 years and older, and/or families with children under age 18, (4) Other City of Santa Clara residents.
Staff
Prepared by: Kimberly Castro, Recreation Manager
Approved by: James Teixeira, Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes October 17, 2017
2. Mini Park G Community Garden Site Plan
3. Boundaries of the Community Facilities District No. 2019-1 (Lawrence Station)