HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 05 - Authorization to apply for the Statewide Park Development & Community Revitalization Grant Department Name: Parks and Recreation
Cost Center: 7001
For Agenda of: October 20, 2020
Placement: Consent
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. Approve a Resolution (Attachment B) 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
2. Authorize 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.
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 design for 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.
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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. This park location
is most closely aligned with the goals and objectives and qualification requirements of this grant
opportunity. In the FY 19-21 Financial Plan, budget was appropriated for the replacement of
Exercise Equipment at Emerson Park, however the project was deferred and unappropriated by
Council at the June 2020 Budget Supplement Council Meeting. Staff will include the Emerson
Park Revitalization Project in the next Financial Plan’s Capital Improvement Plan for FY 21-23
with the notation that the project will only be viable if granted award monies.
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. If awarded the grant final design work would include
continued public and neighborhood engagement.
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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 Current FY Cost
Annualized
On-going Cost
Total Project
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:
a - COUNCIL READING FILE - SPP Round 4 Application Guide
b - Draft Resolution
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R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2020 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR
STATEWIDE PARK DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY
REVITALIZATION PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS
WHEREAS, the State Department of Parks and Recreation has been delegated the
responsibility by the Legislature of the State of California for the administration of the Statewide
Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program, setting up necessary procedures
governing the application; and
WHEREAS, said procedures established by the State Department of Parks and Recreation
require the Applicant to certify by resolution the approval of the application before submission of
said application to the State of California; and
WHEREAS, successful Applicants will enter into a contract with the State of California
to complete the Grant Scope project;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo hereby:
SECTION 1. Approves the filing of an application for the Emerson Neighborhood Park
Revitalization Project; and
SECTION 2. Certifies that said City of San Luis Obispo has or will have available, prior
to commencement of any work on the project included in this application, the sufficient funds to
complete the project; and
SECTION 3. Certifies that if the project is awarded, the City of San Luis Obispo has or
will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project, and
SECTION 4. Certifies that the City of San Luis Obispo has reviewed, understands, and
agrees to the General Provisions contained in the contract shown in the Grant Administration
Guide; and
SECTION 5. Delegates the authority to the Assistant City Manager of Community
Services to conduct all negotiations, sign and submit all documents, including, but not limited to
applications, agreements, amendments, and payment requests, which may be necessary for the
completion of the Grant Scope; and
SECTION 6. Agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws,
ordinances, rules, regulations and guidelines.
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Resolution No. _____ (2020 Series) Page 2
R ______
SECTION 7. Will consider promoting inclusion per Public Resources Code §80001(b)(8 A-G).
Upon motion of Council Member ____________, seconded by Council Member
________________, and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _____________________ 2020.
____________________________________
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
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