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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS Statewide Park Program Grant FundsCITY OF�� no I�V"L --- a Agenda Item No: 4 Meeting Date: February 16, 2010 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Department: Community Services Prepared by: Carlene McCart, Director .vyu-dam City Manager Approval: SUBJECT: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR STATEWIDE PARK PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS RECOMMENDATION: Approve Resolution BACKGROUND: On November 7, 2006 Californian voters passed Proposition 84. The $5.4 billion "Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006" (Proposition 84) includes a $368 million grant program entitled Sustainable Communities and Climate Change Reduction. A portion of this Program is dedicated to funding, on a competitive basis, the creation of new parks and new recreation opportunities in proximity to the most critically underserved communities across California. Projects including acquisition, renovation, and expansion of existing recreation facilities are applicable for up to $5 million funding for prequalified communities that have less than 3 acres of park land per 1000 residents living within a''/2 mile radius, and a low income level within the same radius. In 2002 the City completed the Pickleweed Park Field Project. Redevelopment Agency funds were utilized to design and install a natural turf field complex that includes two soccer fields and a youth baseball field, and restroom. The materials and design were state of the art at the time, and utilized the most hearty turf product applicable for the use pattern and environment of Pickleweed Park. The intense use of the park by the community and organized league play has made the turf unsustainable. Costly resodding and extended closures for repair is necessary to protect the investment. $40-$80,000 per year has been spent to repair the sod, in addition to regular maintenance costs. Installation of a fence, at a cost of $40,000 was necessary to enable closure of fields during the repair periods, typically February - July. The fields are closed during wet weather to avoid damage. The community is deprived of its only field facility 4-6 months of every year. ANALYSIS: The resolution to the situation is the installation of synthetic turf. This material has been utilized successfully on all Marin County high school campuses, with the exception of San Rafael High School, and is a standard application in California and nation wide. The turf is permeable allowing use year round in any weather condition. It requires some maintenance, but far less than natural turf, and no water, fertilizer or pesticide use. Synthetic turf was considered for the original Field Project in 1999. Community concern for environmental impacts and the desire for natural turf resulted in a decision to utilize the current field application. Industry advancements have answered environmental concerns since that time. Eight seasons of operation have demonstrated the costs and limitations of a natural turf surface. FOR CITY CLERK ONLY File No.: Council Meeting: Disposition: Synthetic turf installation has been designated as a priority park project by the Park and Recreation Commission, the Pickleweed Advisory Board, and introduced in study session with the City Council over the last three years. The estimated $2-3 million cost has delayed action. To prepare for the eventuality of conversion to synthetic turf, the approved 2010 Capital Improvement Project list includes the design of the project, funded through Parkland Dedication Funds. After a competitive process, Carducci Landscape Architects were contracted to provide design through construction documents to make the project "shovel ready". Carducci Landscape Architects have designed many of the Marin county synthetic field projects and extensively throughout the Bay Area. They are preparing support materials for the Grant Application as part of their contract. Proposed is the installation of a multi use field to accommodate two soccer fields and two youth baseball fields, lacrosse and rugby; a children's art play area and water spray play area; outdoor basketball court with increased parking, seating, landscape, and an Art gate entry. Environmental enhancement, such as habitat restoration, interpretive signage, bio swale creation and other sustainable design elements are included in the proposal. The proposal was created in response to ideas generated by the community in five separate meetings. Attendees were in favor of a synthetic turf conversion and asked for more amenities that enhance the park experience for families. The Proposition 84 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program of 2008 offers an opportunity to fund the project and improve the recreation opportunities for Canal Neighborhood as well as greater San Rafael. Pickleweed Park is the only park or City owned property to qualify under the grant criteria based on the lack of park land and low income demographics of the immediate neighborhood. If successful the grant will be awarded in August or September 2010. Construction is possible in winter/ spring 2011. FISCAL IMPACT: The estimated cost of the project, with all the proposed amenities is $4.875 million. This amount includes construction management and a 15% contingency. There is no local matching requirement. The Grant requires verification that the City is able to maintain the improvements. It is anticipated that cost savings over current maintenance expenditures will be realized. In addition, the year round viability of the synthetic turf surface will allow for additional revenue to be collected for non profit groups, league play and the occasional private organization use of the fields. It will be critical to establish a sinking fund for the replacement of the turf surface (not the entire infrastructure) at the end of its ten year lifespan. This can be done by directing rental revenue into a project account until the replacement cost is collected, and setting fundraising goals to meet the estimated $1 mil replacement goal over ten years. Currently the field rental is generating over $18,000 per year. Conservatively, $13,000 per year in additional revenue will be generated by the new field installation. OPTIONS: 1. Approve the Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Rafael Approving the Application for Statewide Park Program Grant Funds 2. Reject the Resolution ACTION REQUIRED: Approve the Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Rafael Approving the Application for Statewide Park Program Grant Funds Encls. Resolution Project Application Form Resolution No: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR STATEWIDE PARK 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 Program, setting necessary procedures governing the Application; and WHEREAS, said procedures established by the State Department of Parks and Recreation require the City of San Rafael to certify by Resolution the approval of application before submission of said application to the State; and WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael will enter into a contract with the State of California to complete the grant scope project; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Rafael hereby: Approves the filing of an application for the Pickleweed Park Sport Field Renovation Project, and 1. Certifies that the City of San Rafael has or will have available, prior to commencement of any work on the project included in this application, sufficient funds to complete the project; and 2. Certifies that the applicant has or will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project; and 3. Certifies that the City of San Rafael has reviewed, understands, and agrees to the General Provisions contained in the contract shown in the Grant Administration Guide; and 4. Delegates the authority to the City Manager 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 5. Agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and guidelines. I, Esther C. Beirne, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, herby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meting of the City Council of said City held on Monday, the 15th of February, 2010, by the following vote to wit: the undersigned: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS ESTHER C. BEIRNE, CITY CLERK