HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmerson_Prop 68 SPP- CAR_08-13-2020
Department Name: Parks & Recreation
Cost Center: 7001
For Agenda of: October 20, 2020
Placement: Consent Item 4
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Greg Avakian, Parks and Recreation Director
Prepared By: Aleah Bergam, Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR THE STATEWIDE PARK
DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION GRANT
PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize staff to pursue grant opportunities made possible through Proposition 68 for City
park and recreational facilities, environmental protection projects, environmental protection
and restoration projects, water infrastructure projects, and flood protection projects; and
2. Approve a Resolution authorizing staff to pursue a grant application, for a total amount not to
exceed $8,500,000, with the California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants
and Local Services for the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization
Program (SPP); and
3. Authorize the Assistant City Manager or Parks and Recreation Director to execute the
necessary grant documents and appropriate the grant amount into the Parks and Recreation
Department’s budget upon grant award.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City of San Luis Obispo (City) park system includes a diverse mix of some 28 parks and
recreation facilities covering approximately 206 acres. The City’s parks include a broad range of
recreational features and there are various park and facility improvements, or enhancements
scheduled in the City’s 2019-21 Capital Improvements Program. This includes a new
neighborhood park on North Broad Street.
At this time, grant opportunities are available that can augment City funds for the purposes of
developing and revitalizing City parks. The Statewide Park Development and Community
Revitalization Program (SPP) administered by the California Department of Parks and
Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) is the largest park related grant
program in California’s history, with over $1 billion in funding between the 2018 Prop. 68 and
2006 Prop. 84 Bond Acts. The SPP helps communities invest in parks, increasing recreational
opportunities. Examples include aquatic centers, athletic fields, community gardens, outdoor
gym equipment, public art, amphitheaters, etc. The competitive grant program was made
possible through the passage of Proposition 68: California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate,
Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018, the state’s largest investment in
grant funding history targeted for underserved communities in California. The bond also
provides funds for aging infrastructure, amenities and improvements to parks that will help
attract new and diverse visitors. Since 1965, the grants administered by OGALS have created
and improved over 7,400 parks.
Staff has determined that an awarded grant would provide funding for the Emerson
Neighborhood Park Revitalization Project.
City staff is requesting authorization to apply for grant funding from SPP in order to augment
current funding set aside for City parks and facilities. Staff submitted a grant application in 2019
for the third round of funding available through SPP for the Emerson Neighborhood Park
Revitalization Project and did not receive the grant monies. The deadline for the fourth and final
round of funding is December 14, 2020 and an additional $395.3 million is available under
Round 4. One of the required attachments in the SSP Grant Application (Attachment A) is to
provide a signed resolution (Attachment B) from the local jurisdiction’s governing body, to
authorize the submittal of the application to OGALS.
Policy Context
The City’s Financial Management Manual, Section 740, requires City Council authorization to
submit grant applications in excess of $5,000. In particular, section 3(d) states:
For grants in excess of $5,000, prepare a Council Agenda Report requesting authorization to
seek grant funding. This report should describe the grant program's conformance with this
policy, including the results of the cost/benefit analysis.
Staff finds that submittal of grant applications for City parks and recreational facilities meets the
City’s Grant Management Policy, outlined in Section 740, as there is an opportunity to
significantly leverage City funds on balance with only modest staff and consultant time required
to prepare the grant application; the proposed grant applications would result in additional
priority work efforts being implemented; and, all grant administration, tracking, and reporting
will be conducted in accordance with applicable City policy and any requirements specified in an
awarded grant contract.
Public Engagement
As this is authorization to apply for grant funding, no public engagement is required. However,
the project site plan was developed from key takeaways from the public engagement surrounding
the many public workshops surrounding the current work effort underway on the update to the
Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
There is no environmental review required for grant submittals. Any grant funding received for
specific projects will undergo the mandatory environmental review as is required through
CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: Yes
Budget Year: 2020-2021
Funding Identified: Yes
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing Cost
General Fund N/A*
State
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total
* Project/service will be completed through budgeted in-house resources
The City’s Parks and Recreation Department has time allocated within its normal work program
to prepare and submit the grant application. If successful, these grant monies will significantly
leverage and augment the City’s funds budgeted for the City’s parks and facilities.
ALTERNATIVES
1. The City Council could request additional information or analysis from staff.
2. The City Council could deny the request to submit a grant application.
Attachments: