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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11 - Authorization to initiate project planning and design for Pickleball Courts at Mitchell Park Department Name: Parks and Recreation Cost Center: 7001 For Agenda of: February 2, 2021 Placement: Consent Estimated Time: N/A FROM: Greg Avakian, Parks and Recreation Director Prepared By: Aleah Bergam, Administrative Analyst SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO INITIATE PROJECT PLANNING AND DESIGN FOR PICKLEBALL COURTS AT MITCHELL PARK AND APPROPRIATE PROJECT BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Authorize staff to begin design and public input for the grant and impact fee funded Mitchell Park Pickleball Courts Project; and 2. Approve a Resolution (Attachment A) appropriating budget in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan for the Mitchell Park Pickleball Court Project. DISCUSSION Background The California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is providing nearly $200 millio n to more than 700 agencies under the Proposition 68 Per Capita Grant Program. This non - competitive grant program provides funding to local government agencies to support the rehabilitation, creation, and improvement of local parks and to address deficiencies in neighborhoods lacking access to outdoor recreation facilities. In 2018, the State of California invested in the largest grant funding for critically underserved communities with the passage of Proposition 68: California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act. Recognizing the need for underserved communities to have equitable access to outdoor recreation facilities, the bond also provides funds for new parks that will help attract new and diverse visitors. After receiving approval from Council on October 20, 2020 to submit a project proposal for Mitchell Park Pickleball Courts, staff submitted the project proposal grant application and received notice in December 2020 that the project was approved, and the City has been awarded a contract with State Parks for $177,952 in per capita grant funding to be spent on Mitchell Park Pickleball Courts. The full project budget is more than the grant award, and so additional funding in the amount of $32,048 is requested from the Quimby Parkland-in-lieu fund for a combined project budget of $210,000. Per the City’s fiscal policies, the use of additional Quimby Parkland-in-lieu funds need to be approved by Council and appropriated into the capital budget. Item 11 Packet Page 113 Use of Quimby Funds The Quimby Act, within the Subdivision Map Act, authorizes the legislative body of a city or county to require the dedication of land or to impose fees for park or recreational purposes as a condition of the approval of a tentative or parcel subdivision map, if specified requirements are met (Cal. Gov. Code § 66477.) There are subdivisions within the Mitchell Park Neighborhood that have recently (within the last 5 to 10 years) paid Parkland-in-lieu fees. These fees should be used for developing new or rehabilitating existing neighborhood, community parks, or recreation facilities that serve the specific subdivision (unless certain requirements are met), and therefore should be used on Mitchell Park improvements (Cal. Gov. Code § 66477.) Project Selection Feedback from the public outreach surrounding the update to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Element highlight the public’s desire for more Pickleball Courts. Mitchell Park is a centrally located park and is well-liked as a gathering place near downtown. The public has expressed concerns to City staff and members of the Parks and Recreation Commission regarding the low activation and how the park is used. Staff believes installing Pickleball Courts will activate the park and provide more recreational opportunities for multi-generation of the community to help address public concern. See proposed site location below: Mitchell Park Pickleball Court Proposed Site Location: Item 11 Packet Page 114 Previous Council or Advisory Body Action On October 20, 2020 Council authorized staff to submit a project proposal for Mitchell Park Pickleball Courts to State Parks and authorized the Assistant City Manager to execute the necessary grant documents and appropriate the grant amount into the Parks and Recreation Department’s budget upon grant award (Resolution No. 11179). Policy Context The City’s Charter under Section 804 allows City Council to amend or supplement the budget by motion adopted by majority vote of the council. Partial funding for this project comes from fees imposed by the Quimby Act within the subdivision Map Act (Cal. Gov. Code § 66477), which requires the fees be used for developing new or rehabilitating existing neighborhood, community parks, or recreation facilities that serve the specific subdivision payi ng the fees. The draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Element update includes an inventory list of recreation amenities with a comparison of level of service standards to determine priority recreation amenities to determine unmet need. The current inventory provided by the Consultants showed a lack of pickleball courts and multi-generational recreational amenities. In the draft plan, one of the guiding goals and themes is Building Community, in which the City will provide places to engage in a multitude of recreational activities, including supporting new trends in recreation. The physical infrastructure and amenities of parks and facilities will support and promote public health. Parks, facilities, and programs will provide opportunities for people to engage in activities together, as well as to be active independently. Pickleball is a new trend in recreation and is also a multigenerational activity. Public Engagement Throughout the Public Outreach process of updating the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Element update, pickleball courts surfaced as a reoccurring unmet need from the public during both the Community Needs Survey and during public meetings. At the comprehensive “Bright Ideas” public workshop there was a “Dreams of Parks and Faciliti es” station, where Pickleball Courts rose to the number one facility type with the most responses. Additionally, at the workshop, the public participated in an assessment of City parks and facilities and Mitchell Park received an average grade of a “C”. In addition, staff will conduct public engagement with neighbors and residents surrounding the design of the project once approved. CONCURRENCE The Public Works Department concurs with this report. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in this report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15378. FISCAL IMPACT Budgeted: No Budget Year: 2020-2021 Funding Identified: Yes Item 11 Packet Page 115 Fiscal Analysis: Funding Sources Current FY Cost Annualized On-going Cost Total Project Cost General Fund $2,000 $2,000 State $177,952 $177,952 Federal Fees Other: Quimby Parkland- in-lieu Fund $32,048 $32,048 Total $210,000 $212,000 The City has received a signed contract with State Parks for $177,952 in Prop 68 Per Capita funding for the Mitchell Park Pickleball Court project. Staff estimates a project budget of $210,000 and is requesting additional funding from the Parkland-in-lieu Quimby fund to make up the funding delta. Additionally, staff is requesting authority to allocate the State Park Grants funding into the project budget account. Maintenance for Pickleball Courts is minimal, and staff only anticipates $2,000 in on-going annual operations and maintenance costs once the courts are constructed. This can be accommodated for within the current fiscal year budget and will be budgeted for accordingly in future financial plans. ALTERNATIVES 1. The City Council could request additional information or analysis from staff. 2. The City Council could deny the request to appropriate funding for Mitchell Park Pickleball Courts. Attachments: a - Draft Resolution Item 11 Packet Page 116 R ______ RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2021 SERIES) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING INITIATION OF PROJECT PLANNING AND DESIGN FOR PICKLEBALL COURTS AT MITCHELL PARK AND APPROPRIATING PROJECT BUDGET WHEREAS, on June 2, 2020 the City Council adopted the 2020-21 Financial Plan Supplement and Budget Appropriations; and WHEREAS, Mitchell Park Pickleball Courts are not listed in the adopted FY 20-21 Capital Improvement Plan; and WHEREAS, on October 20, 2020, the City Council authorized staff to submit a grant application for Prop. 68 Per Capita Funds and authorize the Assistant City Manager to execute the necessary grant documents; and WHEREAS, staff received project approval from state parks and has signed and executed a contract with State Parks in $177,952 in state funding for construction of Mitchell Park Pickleball Courts; and WHEREAS, staff is requesting Council authorize the appropriation of the grant funding into the Parks and Recreation Capital Budget; and WHEREAS, staff estimates a project budget of $210,000 to design and construct the project; and WHEREAS, subdivisions within the Mitchell Park Neighborhood have paid fees enacted by the Quimby Act, within the Subdivision Map Act (Cal. Gov. Code § 66477) for the purpose of developing new or rehabilitating existing neighborhood, community parks, or recreation facilities that serve the specific subdivision; and WHEREAS, staff has identified addition funding to be appropriated in the amount of $32,048 from the Parkland-in-lieu (Quimby) Fund; and WHEREAS, the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not constitute a “project” as defined by CEQA. The action does not include approval of the design or physical construction of the Mitchell Park Pickleball Courts. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: Item 11 Packet Page 117 Resolution No. _____ (2021 Series) Page 2 R ______ SECTION 1. The City Council authorizes staff to begin design and public input for the Mitchell Park Pickleball Court Project; and authorizes allocating $177,952 in State Parks Grant funding and $32,048 in Parkland-in-lieu (Quimby) funds for the Mitchell Park Pickleball Court capital improvement project. Upon motion of _______________________, seconded by _______________________, and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _____________________ 2021. ____________________________________ Mayor Heidi Harmon ATTEST: ____________________________________ Teresa Purrington City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: _____________________________________ J. Christine Dietrick City Attorney IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ____________________________. ____________________________________ Teresa Purrington City Clerk Item 11 Packet Page 118