HomeMy WebLinkAboutLR Proposition 68 Grant Funding Opportunities____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: November 16, 2020
Disposition: Resolutions 14872 x 14873 x 14874
Agenda Item No: 4.e
Meeting Date: November 16, 2020
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Library & Recreation
Prepared by: Catherine Quffa,
Assistant Library and Recreation
Director
City Manager Approval: ______________
TOPIC: PROPOSITION 68 GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
SUBJECT: RESOLUTIONS APPROVING THE SUBMITTAL OF GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR THE
PROPOSITION 68 PER CAPITA GRANT, THE PROPOSITION 68 STATEWIDE PARK
DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION PROGRAM AND
DETERMINING THE PICKLEWEED PARK ENHANCEMENT PROJECT TO BE
CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ACT (CEQA) AND AUTHORIZING STAFF TO FILE A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION IN
COMPLIANCE WITH CEQA GUIDELINES
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt resolutions approving the submittal of grant applications for the Proposition 68 Per Capita Grant,
the Proposition 68 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program and determining
the Pickleweed Park Enhancement Project to be categorically exempt from the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) and authorizing staff to file a Notice of Exemption in compliance with CEQA
guidelines.
BACKGROUND:
In 2018, voters passed Proposition 68 (Prop 68), the “Parks, Environment and Water Bond Act of 2018”.
Prop 68 authorized $4 billion in general obligation bonds for state and local parks, environmental
protection and restoration projects, and water infrastructure projects and flood protection projects.
Through this, Prop 68 provides a variety of funding opportunities for local jurisdictions. Two of those grant
opportunities include the Per Capita Grant Program and a Statewide Park Development and Community
Revitalization Program. The State process for both Prop 68 grants requires that jurisdictions adopt a
specific resolution prior to submitting the application, which verifies the City’s commitment and ability to
implement the project.
The Per Capita Grant program is a non-competitive program made available for local park rehabilitation,
creation, and improvement grants to local governments. Per Capita Grant funds are distributed to local
jurisdictions based on population size.
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The Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP) is a highly competitive
funding opportunity with the goal of either creating new parks or enhancing existing parks as well as
implementing new amenities, all of which must occur in critically underserved communities. SPP identifies
underserved communities based on ratio of park space per 1,000 residents, median household income,
and number of people below the poverty level. The maximum award amount for an SPP grant in the
current funding round is $8,500,000 with no local match required.
According to the SPP guidelines, projects must create or renovate at least one recreation feature and
can only include one park per application. In San Rafael, Pickleweed Park, located at the Albert J. Boro
Community Center and which serves the Canal neighborhood, is the only existing park that qualifies for
this grant opportunity. This grant opportunity is consistent with the City’s longstanding goal to convert the
soccer fields at Pickleweed Park from natural to synthetic turf, and to enhance the surrounding park
amenities. SPP provides a unique opportunity to pursue funding at a level that could otherwise not be
achieved.
ANALYSIS:
Under current Prop 68 funding programs, the City qualifies for the Per Capita Grant program and the
SPP.
Per Capita Grant
In 2019, the City submitted the Per Capita Allocation Questionnaire to determine the City’s allocation
under the grant program. Grant funds are allocated based on population and are one-time funds. On
June 24, 2020, the State notified the City of their allocation amount of $177,952.
According to the Per Capita Grant program guidelines, projects submitted must be for recreational
purposes, either acquisition or development, and are subject to the following:
• Projects must be for capital outlay; that is, acquisition of land, or improvements to existing
property beyond its original condition. Operation, maintenance, repairs are not eligible.
• Acquisition and development projects cannot be combined,
• A project can only have one location. One project serving several parks is not permitted.
• Development projects must be consistent with the park and recreation element of the
grantee’s general or recreation plan.
• Per Capita funds must be used to supplement, not supplant, local revenues in existence as
of June 5, 2018.
• Contracted work must comply with the provisions of §1771.5 of the State Labor Code.
• Grantee must have adequate liability insurance, performance bond, or other security
necessary to protect the State and Grantee’s interest against poor workmanship, fraud, or
other potential loss associated with the completion of the project.
• Pre-Construction Costs may not exceed 25% of the project amount.
• The primary purpose of any building constructed or improved must be public recreation.
• Projects must be accessible, including an accessible path of travel to the project.
After reviewing the projects that were evaluated as part of the City’s recent 3-Year Capital Improvement
Program process and the applying the above criteria, the Sun Valley Park Playground Replacement
Project was identified as the project that would most benefit from these funds.
The project entails the replacement of the existing play structures with new play structures and parking
and pathway improvements for ADA access. Other park playground replacement projects that were
evaluated include Gerstle, Peacock Gap and Bernard Hoffman parks. Unfortunately, improving the
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
accessible paths of travel for ADA compliance at these three parks would exceed funding available
through the Prop 68 Per Capita Grant program.
All projects not serving a “severely disadvantaged community” require a 20% match of funds. The median
household income in the areas surrounding Sun Valley Park does not qualify as severely disadvantaged,
therefore, a 20% local match is required. Staff recommend using Measure A funds (Fund #241) to provide
the 20% local match.
In order to receive the allocation, the City is required to submit a resolution approving the filing of the
project application. The resolution is due to the State no later than December 31, 2021, with the full grant
application due no later than June 30, 2021. The deadline by which the City must fulfill all grant
requirements, including installation of new infrastructure, is March 31, 2024.
Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP)
SPP is a highly competitive grant opportunity that focuses on expanding and improving recreation access
and amenities in critically underserved communities. The City of San Rafael has applied for SPP funding
previously for different variations of the Pickleweed Park Enhancement project, in 2010 and 2011, and
for the Prop 84 California Youth Soccer and Recreation Development Program Grant in 2016. Converting
the Pickleweed Field to synthetic turf has been a critical park priority for the Canal community since 2010
and Pickleweed is the only park in San Rafael that would qualify as critically underserved per the SPP
guidelines.
Currently, the Pickleweed Fields are closed for six (6) months of the year for maintenance and to provide
opportunity for the grass turf to regenerate. Converting the fields to synthetic turf would allow them to
remain open year-round, thereby doubling community access to this recreational amenity. In addition to
converting the fields to synthetic turf, the project would add new amenities including: fitness equipment,
a basketball/sport court, new play structure for children under 5, a gazebo, a community mural, backstops
for little league on the fields, shaded seating throughout the park, an improved bathroom, and additional
parking. These amenities were identified as priorities by Canal residents through a robust community
engagement process.
The project plan also integrates environmentally friendly design, such as native and drought-tolerant
landscaping, additional trees, bioswales and water filtration techniques, and improved LED lighting
throughout the park and parking lot. More details on the project amenities and design can be found in
Attachment 3.
The SPP grant requires local jurisdiction CEQA clearance and a recorded notice as part of the application.
In consultation with an environmental consultant, the project has been reviewed for compliance with the
CEQA Guidelines and it has been determined that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA. City
Council action would confirm this finding and authorize filing of the Notice of Exemption with the County
of Marin, as well as approve the submittal of the grant application.
The total funding request for the Pickleweed Park Enhancement project is $8,480,000. The SPP
application is due on March 12, 2021. The State will announce award recipients in Fall 2021, with project
completion required by June 30, 2025.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
At the regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission on September 17, 2020, the Commission
approved the selection of Sun Valley Park playground replacement project for the Per Capita grant
application process. Once approved by Council, staff will conduct a community engagement process to
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 4
solicit input from residents on what amenities they would like to see in the playground replacement
project.
The SPP grant requires significant community input for the application to be competitive. For the
Pickleweed Park Enhancement project, staff presented the project scope to community members and
solicited feedback during two virtual meetings, held in partnership with the Canal Alliance and the
Multicultural Center of Marin. Additionally, staff went to three community events held in the Canal
neighborhood (2 food distribution events and one youth event at the Albert J. Boro Community Center)
to gather one-on-one feedback on amenities community members would like to see in the project. Finally,
staff created an online community survey to gather additional feedback on the project. The survey was
sent out through the City’s Canal-specific social media channels, posted on the Pickleweed Park
electronic sign, and was also pushed out by community partners, including San Rafael City Schools, the
Marin Community Clinic, the Canal Alliance, Parent Services Project, and the Marin Asian Advocacy
Project.
Additionally, the Pickleweed Park Enhancement Project was presented to the Park and Recreation
Commission as part of the Measure A work plan on May 16, 2019. During that time, the Commission
recommended that Measure A funds be used to support the community engagement and design process
for the Prop 68 SPP grant application. The use of Measure A funds for this purpose was approved by
City Council on June 17, 2019.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Per Capita Grant program requires a 20% project match from the agency receiving the funds. With
a $177,952 grant allocation, the City must provide $44,488 in matching funds. Staff recommend that the
City designate funds from the FY 2021-2022 Measure A allocation to fulfill the match requirement.
Historically, the City has designated between $110,000 and $140,000 per year of Measure A funds
towards park improvement projects. If approved, staff would include this allocation in the next round of
Measure A funding.
Although the SPP grant does not have a funding match requirement, the City is requesting the maximum
award amount of $8,500,000. If the project should result in additional costs that may include but not be
limited to the addition of amenities and/or unanticipated construction costs, staff would recommend that
the City utilize local Measure A funds to cover the shortfall. Staff does not anticipate that this would
exceed $250,000. If unsuccessful and the City does not receive SPP grant funding, the City will not move
forward with the project.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options to consider on this matter:
1. Adopt the two resolutions approving applications for Prop. 68 grant funds and the resolution
determining the Pickleweed Park Enhancement Project to be categorically exempt from CEQA
and authorizing staff to file a Notice of Exemption in compliance with CEQA guidelines.
2. Adopt resolution for only one of the Prop. 68 funding applications.
3. Direct staff to return with more information.
4. Take no action.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1. Adopt the resolution approving the submittal of grant applications for the Proposition 68 (Prop 68)
Per Capita Grant; and
2. Adopt the resolution approving the submittal of grant application for the Proposition 68 (Prop 68)
Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Programs; and
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 5
3. Adopt the resolution determining the Pickleweed Park Enhancement Project to be categorically
exempt from CEQA and authorizing staff to file a notice of exemption in compliance with CEQA
Guidelines
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution for Prop 68 Per Capita Grant Funds
2. Resolution for Prop 68 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program
Grant Funds
3. Resolution Determining the Pickleweed Park Enhancement Project to be Categorically Exempt
From the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Authorizing Staff to File a Notice of
Exemption in Compliance with CEQA Guidelines
4. Pickleweed Park Enhancement Project Conceptual Site Plan
RESOLUTION NO. 14872
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SAN RAFAEL APPROVING
APPLICATION(S) FOR PER CAPITA 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
Per Capita Grant Program, setting up necessary procedures governing application(s);
and
WHEREAS, said procedures established by the State Department of Parks and
Recreation require the grantee’s Governing Body to certify by resolution the approval of
project application(s) before submission of said applications to the State; and
WHEREAS, the grantee will enter into a contract(s) with the State of California to
complete project(s);
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Rafael
hereby:
1. Approves the filing of project application(s) for Per Capita program grant
project(s); and
2. Certifies that said grantee has or will have available, prior to commencement of
project work utilizing Per Capita funding, sufficient funds to complete the
project(s); and
3. Certifies that the grantee has or will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain
the project(s), and
4. Certifies that all projects proposed will be consistent with the park and recreation
element of the City of San Rafael’s general or recreation plan (PRC §80063(a)),
and
5. Certifies that these funds will be used to supplement, not supplant, local
revenues in existence as of June 5, 2018 (PRC §80062(d)), and
6. Certifies that it will comply with the provisions of §1771.5 of the State Labor
Code, and
7. (PRC §80001(b)(8)(A-G)) To the extent practicable, as identified in the
“Presidential Memorandum--Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Our National
Parks, National Forests, and Other Public Lands and Waters,” dated January 12,
2017, the City of San Rafael will consider a range of actions that include, but are
not limited to, the following:
(A) Conducting active outreach to diverse populations, particularly minority, low-
income, and disabled populations and tribal communities, to increase awareness
within those communities and the public generally about specific programs and
opportunities.
(B) Mentoring new environmental, outdoor recreation, and conservation leaders
to increase diverse representation across these areas.
(C) Creating new partnerships with state, local, tribal, private, and nonprofit
organizations to expand access for diverse populations.
(D) Identifying and implementing improvements to existing programs to increase
visitation and access by diverse populations, particularly minority, low-income,
and disabled populations and tribal communities.
(E) Expanding the use of multilingual and culturally appropriate materials in
public communications and educational strategies, including through social
media strategies, as appropriate, that target diverse populations.
(F) Developing or expanding coordinated efforts to promote youth engagement
and empowerment, including fostering new partnerships with diversity-serving
and youth-serving organizations, urban areas, and programs.
(G) Identifying possible staff liaisons to diverse populations.
8. Agrees that to the extent practicable, the project(s) will provide workforce
education and training, contractor and job opportunities for disadvantaged
communities (PRC §80001(b)(5)); and
9. Certifies that the grantee shall not reduce the amount of funding otherwise
available to be spent on parks or other projects eligible for funds under this
division in its jurisdiction. A one-time allocation of other funding that has been
expended for parks or other projects, but which is not available on an ongoing
basis, shall not be considered when calculating a recipient’s annual
expenditures. (PRC §80062(d)); and
10. Certifies that the grantee has reviewed, understands, and agrees to the General
Provisions contained in the contract shown in the Procedural Guide; and
11. Delegates the authority to the City Manager, or designee 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(s); and
12. Agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances,
rules, regulations and guidelines.
I, LINDSAY LARA, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution was duly and regularly introduced, approved and adopted at a regular meeting
of the City Council of the City of San Rafael, held on Monday, the 16th day of November
2020, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
_______________________
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk
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RESOLUTION NO. 14873
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR THE 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; 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 San Rafael City Council hereby:
APPROVES THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE PICKLEWEED PARK
ENHANCEMENT PROJECT; AND
1. Certifies that said Applicant 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
2. Certifies that if the project is awarded, the Applicant has or will have sufficient
funds to operate and maintain the project, and
3. Certifies that the Applicant 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 or their designee 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.
6. Will consider promoting inclusion per Public Resources Code §80001(b)(8 A-
G).
I, Lindsay Lara, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the
City Council of said City held on Monday, the 16th day of November 2020 by the
following vote, to wit:
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AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk
1
RESOLUTION NO. 14874
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
DETERMINING THE PICKLEWEED PARK ENHANCEMENT PROJECT TO BE
CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ACT (CEQA) AND AUTHORIZING STAFF TO FILE A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION IN
COMPLIANCE WITH CEQA GUIDELINES
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, the grant application requires the City complete the environmental
clearance process pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Guidelines; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to submit a grant application for the Pickleweed
Park Enhancement Project, for which, for the purposes of CEQA, the improvements
are defined as a “project” subject to environmental review; and
WHEREAS, having reviewed the proposed improvements, staff consider the
project Categorically Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15303, 15304(b),
15304(f), and 15311(b);
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of San
Rafael hereby finds that the Pickleweed Park Enhancement Project is Categorically
Exempt from environmental review under CEQA, and directs staff to file the Notice of
Exemption, based on the following findings:
1. The City Council has reviewed and considered the information by staff in support
of the Categorical Exemption and finds that it is adequate and complete to support
the filing of a Notice of Exemption with a summary of finding for the Notice of
Exemption presented in a memorandum on file with the City.
2. The City Council has exercised its independent judgment in evaluating the
Categorical Exemption and has considered the comments received during the
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public comment period. Based on this review, the City Council has determined
that there is no substantial evidence that the Project will have a significant impact
on the environment.
I, LINDSAY LARA, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the
Council of said City on the 16th day of November 2020, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk
File No.: 06.07.11
11.09.2020
PICKLEWEED PARK ENHANCEMENT PROJECT
50 CANAL ST. SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA 94901
CONCEPTUAL PLAN
0 20 40 80
VIEW DECK
ALBERT J. BORO
COMMUNITY
CENTER
PICKLEWEED
CHILDREN’S
CENTER FUTURE TISCORNIA MARSH RESTORATIONCANAL STREET
PLAY AREASAN RAF
AEL C
A
N
AL
FUTURE TISCORNIA MARSH RESTORATION
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5 6
6
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PICKLEWEED
LIBRARY
LEGEND
1 MULTI-USE FIELD WITH SYNTHETIC TURF,
LINED FOR VARIOUS SPORTS
2 BASKETBALL/SPORT COURT
3 PLAY STRUCTURE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5
4 FITNESS EQUIPMENT FOR ADULTS
5 RENOVATED RESTROOM WITH
COMMUNITY MURAL
6 SHADED SEATING
7 DROUGHT RESISTANT LANDSCAPING,
BIOSWALES, TREES, AND OTHER
BENEFICIAL LANDSCAPING
8 GAZEBO
9 ADDITIONAL PARKING
10 ADDITIONAL LIGHTING AND SECURITY
CAMERAS FOR IMPROVED SECURITY