Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, August 06, 2024
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER RECORDING A “NOTICE OF EXEMPTION” IN THE OFFICE OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CLERK AND WITH THE STATE CLEARING HOUSE FOR PROJECT NO. 1636 (MILLS PARK IMPROVEMENTS), PURSUANT TO SECTION 15301(E)(1), 15303(E) AND 15323 OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT GUIDELINES (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines has determined the Mills Park Improvement Project (Project No. 1636) to be categorically exempt. Plans Specifications and Estimate (PS&E) was recently completed and ready to be advertised to solicit construction bids.
The City Council is requested to authorize staff to record the Notice of Exemption to satisfy the California Environmental Quality Act’s requirements and advertise for construction bids.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following actions:
1. AUTHORIZE staff to advertise the work and call for construction bids for Project No. 1636: Mills Park Improvement Project.
2. MAKE the California Environmental Quality Act finding that the proposed Mills Park Improvement Project is categorically exempt pursuant to Sections 15301(e)(1) 15303(e) and 15323 of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines.
3. AUTHORIZE staff to record the “Notice of Exemption” in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk and with the State Clearing House at the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research for Project No. 1636: Mills Park Improvement.
Body
III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE any other action the City Council deems appropriate, consistent with the requirements of the law.
1. DO NOT APPROVE the above recommendations. However, staff will not be able to proceed with the construction of the project.
2. TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate, consistent with the requirements of the law.
IV. BACKGROUND
Project No. 1636 is adopted in the Capital Improvement Project for fiscal year 2024-2025. Mills Park is approximately 4.45 acres (195,000 sq.ft) centrally located in the City of Carson. Mills Park Improvement Project (Project No. 1636) involves improvements of the easterly half of the park, while minor work is also being completed on the westerly half of the park, which is mostly natural turf. The project scope involves expanding the existing building by approx. 1,400 sq.ft., to provide more office space and additional internal storage. The project will remove the old wading pool to be replaced with a splash pad water feature. The irrigation system will be adjusted according to the modified site layout. Majority of the turf areas will remain with a few locations to be improved due to a bigger playground area with rubberized surface and conversion of the half-court to a full court basketball. The fitness area will have a new shade cover and a three new picnic shelters will be installed. The park marquee sign will be upgraded to a digital format sign. Lastly, the project will improve the condition of the concrete walkways throughout the park.
The plans specifications and estimate for site improvements (Phase A) has been completed by the Engineering Services Division of the Public Works Department and are now ready to be advertised for construction bids.
Based on California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, the proposed project is categorically exempt (Exhibit No. 2) according to the following:
• Section 15301(e)(1) of the CEQA includes for an expansion to an existing building totaling less than 50% of the square footage of the existing building
• Section 15303(e) as the picnic shelters, shade structures, and splash pad would be considered accessory structures
• Section 15323 as the project is reinforcing the historical use of this property as a public park.
It is requested that the City Council authorize staff to advertise the project for construction bids, and to record the Notice of Exemption to satisfy the California Environmental Quality Act’s requirements.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
No funding is being requested as part of this staff report. At this moment staff is requesting for authorization to advertise the work for construction bid as well as recordation of the CEQA exemption. The preliminary estimated construction cost of the project is $6,800,000 and it is anticipated OGALS and City bond funds will be used to cover the construction cost of this project. The project will be presented in the 5-year CIP Plan for Fiscal Year 2024/25.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Concept Plan (pg. 4)
2. Notice of Exemption (pg. 5)
Prepared by: Dr. Arlington Rodgers,Jr., Public Works Director;
Raymond Velasco, PE, Public Works Operations Manager