Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION NO. 21-054, APPROVING THE CITY OF CARSON'S PROPOSITION 68 APPLICATION FOR PER CAPITA GRANT FUNDS FOR MILLS PARK (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
In June of 2018, California voters passed the Parks and Water Bond Act of 2018, commonly known as Proposition 68. This measure includes a General Per Capita Program, which allocates a portion of the bond funds for local park rehabilitation, creation and improvement grants to local governments on a per capita basis. Staff is requesting that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 21-054 (Exhibit No. 1), authorizing the submission of the City’s application. Should the City receive a grant award, staff proposes that the grant funds be used to renovate Mills Park. Proposed improvements include a new monument sign, remote restrooms, the installation of shade structures at various picnic locations, and the construction of ADA pathways to picnic pads.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
WAIVE further reading and ADOPT Resolution No. 21-054, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARSON, CALIFORNIA, and APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR PER CAPITA GRANT FUNDS.”
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE any other action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
Staff is requesting the City Council’s authorization to apply for the voter-approved Parks and Water Bond Act of 2018, commonly known as Proposition 68. This measure provides a General Per Capita Program, which allocates a portion of the bond funds for local park rehabilitation, creation, and improvement grants to local governments on a per capita basis. Grant recipients are encouraged to utilize awards to rehabilitate existing infrastructure and to address deficiencies in neighborhoods lacking access to the outdoors. This grant is a non-competitive grant that is separate from the two competitive grants that the City submitted in March 2021 for Foisia Park and Carriage Crest Park.
After careful consideration, Mills Park (Exhibit No. 2) has been identified by Community Services staff as an ideal site for this competitive grant due to it being the only park in the City that does not have a dedicated outdoor restroom. Patrons who use the park when the building is closed do not have access to any restrooms. Heavy outdoor use of the park occurs during Summer Day Camp, or when the Activity Room is used during a permitted event. As a result, many of the regular park patrons often need access to the indoor restroom when the building interior is already in use for camp or building rentals. To remedy this conflict, the City rents porta-potties on a monthly basis that are unattractive and require weekly servicing. Additionally, Mills Park is one of five park locations that lack adequate shade and protection from the elements. The proposed scope of improvements/enhancements includes:
• New permanent concrete monument sign
• Installation of prefabricated remote restrooms
• Installation of shading around the building, over outdoor fitness equipment, and over three picnic areas
• Creating three ADA pathways connecting the picnic pads
• Partial removal of cement wall/steps from the wading pool
Upon the City Council’s adoption of Resolution No. 21-054, authorizing the submission of the City’s grant application, staff will complete the preparation of the application itself. Staff intends to tender the packet prior to the December 31, 2021, deadline. Should the City receive a grant award, the contract will need to be executed before June 1, 2022. All Per Capita Projects must be completed by December 31, 2023, and all project completion documents submitted by March 31, 2024.
Although Mills Park presents a unique opportunity to address restroom and shade structure deficiencies in the City’s parks system, staff recognizes that there are additional disparities in other parks as well. As a result, staff will be proposing that the City Council allocate funds from the unspent balance of the Carson General Fund to address several other parks’ needs (shade structures, furnishings, playground surfacing, etc.) for multiple facility locations throughout the City. The upcoming budget workshop will provide a summary of the outlay over the next five years for City Council consideration.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
None at this time. Should the City receive an award, the anticipated grant allocation is $235,161 (Exhibit No. 3). The total cost of the Mills Park Project is approximately $536,608 (Exhibit No. 4). Per the eligibility requirements of the grant, the agency must use Per Capita funds to supplement existing expenditures rather than replace them. Additionally, the City is required to provide a 20% match. Therefore, the total fiscal impact to the City is $301,447, which exceeds the 20% match requirement of the total project cost. Park Development Impact Fee (DIF)/Quimby funds have been identified to support the balance. This improvement project is included in the proposed Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Capital Improvement Program.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Resolution No. 21-154 (pgs. 4-5)
2. Mills Park - Proposed Improvements (pg. 6)
3. Per Capita Allocation Carson (pg. 7-10)
4. Mills Park Cost Estimate (pg. 11)
Prepared by: Timothy Grierson, Recreation Superintendent, Robert Lennox, Community Services Director