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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