REPORT TO PARKS & RECRETION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
State of California Proposition 68 Competitive Grant Program and Potential City Application for Parkland Acquisition, Development and Rehabilitation Project at Machado Park
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Sports, Recreational and Arts Assets
BACKGROUND
On June 5, 2018, State of California voters approved Proposition 68, the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (2018 Bond Act). The 2018 Bond Act provides funding for the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (Grant). The Grant will create new parks and recreation opportunities in critically underserved communities in California (see Public Resources Code §§5640 through 5653). The State Grant guidelines (Attachment 1) require a community outreach and input process, a project application, and an authorizing resolution among other supporting documents. The Grant application is due by March 12, 2021.
One of the City Council Pillars is to "enhance community sports, recreation and arts assets." 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. Over the past several years, Santa Clara has prioritized the rehabilitation of parks and recreation facilities to make them code compliant and accessible while meeting the diverse needs of the increasing resident population by making them more inclusionary, environmentally sustainable, age-friendly, and providing measurably increased play value as well as new desired amenities.
While a short timeline for completion, the City intends to explore submission of an application for a project that may involve the combination of (a) acquisition of new parkland, (b) development of additional recreation features envisioned by the public, and (c) potential renovation of aged park infrastructure. The Parks & Recreation Commission regularly conducts public outreach and community engagement to help identify and prioritize parks and recreation needs and makes recommendations to City Council regarding public park improvements.
DISCUSSION
The 3.5 acre Machado Park (Park) has a 1960's era neighborhood recreation building, restrooms, playground, basketball court and picnic-barbecue facilities. The park is located adjacent to Briarwood Elementary School, on which sits underutilized grass and turf areas, as well as fenced baseball fields used by Briarwood/El Camino Little League, and undeveloped/inaccessible connections to the neighborhood. The City completed a Facility Condition Assessment dated January 2018 that prioritized the Park for renovation (Attachment 2), and a Park Master Plan update dated December 2017 that detailed community prioritized improvements (Attachment 3 and 4). The City was able to complete the playground rehabilitation/expansion in 2020 with limited City Capital Improvement Project funds.
However, not all Machado Park needs were able to be addressed. Aged infrastructure needs can be satisfied through rehabilitation, and additional recreational amenities and opportunities that may be identified through a community-based outreach and design process, provided alternative funding sources can be identified and awarded. However, given that Machado Park is the only neighborhood park in the district, and there are less than 3 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents in the neighborhood (Attachment 5), the additional parkland needs would have to be satisfied through acquisition and dedication of additional public parkland (purchase or long-term lease), and given limited City funding sources, the identification and use of a significant funding source.
The Grant is a competitive grant and staff have reviewed the criteria carefully, discussed a possible application for Machado Park with our State Grant manager and concluded that a Machado Park Project is the most competitive given the potential to acquire additional parkland. Unlike other Prop 68 funding opportunities that are based on per capita, the Grant application will compete with other cities’ projects that have more opportunities for park acquisition and/or that are more competitive by virtue of their demographics. In any case, the Grant is a potential source of funding where the State's Grant goals, guidelines and priorities match the City's interests. For example, and subject to formal negotiation and approval, the City could work with the Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD) to address limited park acreage by expansion of Machado Park. Grant funds could be used to improve access and community use of underutilized ballfields and grass areas at Briarwood Elementary School Site, or to develop a walking/fitness loop with outdoor gym equipment. The Grant could also fund other community prioritized items such as rehabilitation and expansion of the community building in Machado Park, completion of previously identified items in the Updated Master Plan such as the dog park, and support amenities such as safety lighting, access to off-street parking at Nobili Avenue, and fencing.
To be clear, the City does not have any City funds available for a potential project to address acquisition/expansion, rehabilitation and development of Machado Park without Grant funding. The Grant does not require a match. The competitive Grant process is a very unique opportunity to explore with community input. The City will engage with the community, SCUSD, and a consultant through virtual workshops, online survey, and in-person/on-site opportunities (COVID19 health and safety protocol compliant) in the January-March timeframe to develop a competitive Grant application, proposed site plan and supporting information for Council consideration.
At the January 19, 2021 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting, the Commission will discuss the Grant guidelines, evaluation criteria, community input process, and Machado Park and receive public input including the neighborhood park needs and priorities.
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 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.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Discuss and Receive Public Input on the Proposition 68 Competitive Grant Program and Potential City Application for Machado Park Expansion & Rehabilitation Project.
Staff
Reviewed by: Dale Seale, Deputy Director
Approved by: James Teixeira, Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Competitive Grant Guidelines
2. Machado Park Facility Condition Assessment 2018
3. Machado Park Master Plan Update and Council Report 2017
4. Presentation December 2017
5. Community Fact Finder