HomeMy WebLinkAbout1G OCRCITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: October 22, 2020 Consent Calendar
SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR
STATEWIDE PARK DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY
REVITALIZATION PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: Cynthia Alvarado, Director of Parks & Recreation
SUMMARY
On June 5, 2019, City Council selected the proposed Whitewater Park location for
Proposition 68, Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program
grant application. Additionally, Council approved an agreement with MVR Consulting for
grant preparation and coordination services to assemble a competitive grant application
on behalf of the City of Palm Springs.
In February of 2020, the state released the list of awardees, awarding 62 of the 478, or
$2.3 billion, applications received for $254.9 million made available for that round.
Riverside County received two awards, unfortunately the City of Palm Springs
Whitewater Park Project was not selected. The State announced a final fourth round of
funding of $395.3 million on February 2, 2020, with applications due no later than
December 14, 2020. This action will adopt a resolution authorizing the submittal of the
Whitewater Park Project for State Park Development and Community Revitalization
Program.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt Resolution No. __ , "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR
STATEWIDE PARK DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION
PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS;"
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents.
ITEM NO._;iGz ___ lJa... __
2City Council Staff Report October 22, 2020 -Page 2 Proposition 68 SPP Grant Application BACKGROUND: Prop 68 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program On June 5, 2018, California voters approved Proposition 68, the "Parks, Environment, and Water Bond," Proposition 68 authorized up to $4 billion in general obligation bonds for state and local parks, environmental protection projects, water infrastructure projects, and flood protection projects. Proposition 68 is providing funding for the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP) with the specific intention and purpose of creating new parks and new recreation opportunities in critically underserved communities across California. The SPP grant will only fund the following types of projects: 1. Create a new park 2. Expand an existing park 3. Renovate an existing park All projects must create or renovate at least one recreation feature; numerous examples of eligible recreational features are provided in the application guide and includes acquisition of land combined with development of a new recreation feature. A minimum of 20% ($134,125,000) of funds available will fund projects that expand or renovate existing parks, while the up to 80% ($516,000) can fund the creation of new parks. The SPP grant will award a maximum of $8.5 million per application/park, with $0 match required -the grant by itself may fund the entire project. As noted, the SPP grant program is emphasizing development of new parks and recreation opportunities in critically underserved communities across California. The Proposition 68 SPP grant application guidelines identify the scoring criteria to be used to evaluate applications, using a 100-point scale, as shown on the following page.
3City Council Staff Report October 22, 2020 -Page 3 Proposition 68 SPP Grant Application PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA PROJECT LOCATION 1. Critical Lack of PARK SPACE 2. Significant Poverty 3. Type of Project COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 4. Community Based Planning 5. Employment or Volunteer Opportunities 6. Partnerships or Committed Funding OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS 7. Environmental Design 8. Public Use Fees and Hours of Operation MAX POINT VALUE 15 16 10 18 6 3 7 5 SUMMARY ABOUT PROJECT NEED, BENEFITS, AND READINESS 9. Community CHALLENGES, Project Benefits and 20 Readiness MAXIMUM SCORE 100 MVR Consulting, in its prior successful experience with the Proposition 84 SPP program, counseled that the City's most competitive park project must at a minimum satisfy the most points possible in the Project Location and Community Engagement criterion to be successful. Selection Criteria 1 is based on the Project Site's proximity to critically underserved communities having the lowest ratio of park space per 1,000 residents when compared with all statewide applications; similarly criteria 2 compares the lowest median household income and the number of people living in poverty with all statewide applications. On June 5, 2019, Council was presented with four (4) potential park projects and selected the Whitewater Park location for the third round of Proposition 68, Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP), and approved of an agreement with MVR Consulting to coordinate the application process. The selection of the Whitewater Park location accomplished the requirements of constructing a new park in an area of significate poverty, currently lacking park space. Community based planning, consisted of scheduling, public notification and hosting five (5) meetings. These meetings were to gather each attendant's input, identify their top three (3) desired park features. City staff designed and circulated a flyer urging the public to attend and provide their vital input.
4City Council Staff Report October 22, 2020 -Page 4 Proposition 68 SPP Grant Application The community meeting flyers were distributed to Coyote Run I Apartments, Coyote Run II Apartments, the students at Vista Del Monte Elementary School, residents at the Golden Sands Mobile Home Park. Staff also posted on Facebook, released a Public Service Announcement, and news articles were also written informing the public about the meetings. All five (5) meetings were well attended by a diverse mix of youth, adults, and seniors. Cumulatively there were over 176 residents, including representatives from Desert Water Agency, Coachella Valley Associations of Governments, and Desert Healthcare District that participated in this process. The final community meeting took place at the North end of Sunrise Way, just South of the new Whitewater Park site, on Saturday, June 29 at 10:00 A.M., the conceptual design shown below, depicts the input through the five community based planning meetings held by the City. ~~.!IAWN l 20'W-...... ~--=--1• CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN Whitewater Park Palm Springs, CA Ill ----I_ .. .,.._. _ ...... \'ER.DI OESIG~ ...:::E_ In February of 2020, the state released the list of awardees, awarding 62 of the 478, or $2.3 billion, applications received for $254.9 million made available for that round. Riverside County received two awards, unfortunately the City of Palm Springs Whitewater Park Project was not selected.
5City Council Staff Report October 22, 2020 -Page 5 Proposition 68 SPP Grant Application The State announced a final fourth round of funding of $395.3 million available, on February 2, 2020, with applications due no later than December 14, 2020. Staff contacted the State Parks Project Officer, Kyle Bowlin to review our third-round application and identify any areas where the application did not achieve the maximum score. Although State Parks does not provide you with the overall application score, they provided the following Criteria 2, 4, and 9, as not receiving the maximum score allowed. Criteria 2 -Significant Poverty: compared to those applications received for round 3 funding, the City's application didn't fall within the lowest 10%. This will vary with each application process as its comparative only to applications submitted statewide, rather than statewide. Criteria 4 -Community Based Planning: although the City held all five required meeting, the state prefers each meeting not be farther than a half-mile from the proposed project site. State Parks recommended if the City were to move forward in resubmitted this application for round 4, that an additional meeting be held. Criteria 9 -Community Challenges, Project Benefits, and Readiness: recommendation to review all recreational features included in the application and determine if they accomplish the communities' needs or a desired amenity. STAFF ANALYSIS: The following provides detail of the requirements of each criteria making up the SPP program's 100-point scale: • Critical Lack of Park Space (max. 15 points) The state uses its "FactFinder" web-based software determine whether there is a critical lack of park space within proximity (a half-mile radius) of the project site. The lower the ratio of park space per 1,000 residents, the higher the score. The FactFinder is available online at: https://www.parksforcalifornia.org/communities • Significant Poverty (max. 16 points) A qualifying area requires the median household income lower than $51,026. • Type of Project (max. 10 points) Qualifying projects: New Park, Expand an Existing Park, or Renovate an Existing Park (expansion is not applicable). • Community Based Planning (max. 18 points) Community outreach is required prior to submittal of the grant application, with the community participating in the preliminary design and selection of recreation opportunities to include in the park project. The state requires the City to host five (5)
6City Council Staff Report October 22, 2020 -Page 6 Proposition 68 SPP Grant Application community meetings in close proximity to the project location. Meetings are held to specifically solicit resident's ideas for the park, with an emphasis of those that will utilize and advocate for the park's operation and maintenance. The State encourages that the park enhancements reflect the resident's needs and creativity. • Employment or volunteer opportunities (max. 6 points) What types of meaningful employment or volunteer activities will be available for residents as part of the park project? How many residents will receive outdoor learning opportunities? • Partnerships and Committed Funding (max. 3 points) What are the organization names of the partners and what are their roles? • Environmental Design (max. 7 points) Describe how the project will use efficient use of water and other natural resources. • Public Use Fees and Hours of Operation (max. 5 points) Describe how youth, seniors, and families affected by poverty will have daily access to the project site. • Community Challenges, Project Benefits, and Readiness (max. 20 points) What challenges are present within the community that contributes to the need for the project? How will the project benefit the health and quality of life for youth, seniors, and families by improving the community's recreational, social, cultural, environmental, educational, and economic conditions? In an effort to confirm the Proposition 68 SPP program competitiveness for the new Whitewater Park, staff utilized the required FactFinder tool to determine how well the Whitewater Park location would score relative to the critical lack of park space and significant poverty criterion, as shown on the following page.
7City Council Staff Report October 22, 2020 -Page 7 Proposition 68 SPP Grant Application California State Parks Project ID: 6746 Coordinates: 33.8675, -116.5287 Community FactFinder Report Date:05/29/2019 This is your project report for the site you have defined. Please refer to your Project ID above in any future communications about the project. PROJECT AREA STATISTICS PROJECT AREA MAP County: Riverside City: Total Population: Youth Population: Senior Population: Households Without Access to a car: Number of People in Poverty: Median Household Income: Per Cspita Income: Park Acres: Park Acres per 1.000 Residents: Palm Springs 1,639 440 348 57 435 $45,336 $25,454 0.00 0.00 t Si\N U\rAEl DR f SAN RA"Al:L OR ~ 1rno., As shown in the report, the new Whitewater Park is expected to score very well with regard to the critical lack of park space with 0.00 acres of park space available in proximity to the location. Furthermore, the Whitewater Park is expected to score well for the significant poverty criteria, with 435 of the 1,639 residents identified as "in poverty" -equivalent to 27%, and with 440 youth (27%) living in close proximity. Although these statistics provide justification that this new park would potentially score well and be competitive in the SPP Program, both the critical lack of space and poverty, Criteria 1 and 2, will also be in comparison to all applications received by State Parks. Staff has scheduled one (1) additional community-based planning meeting at the proposed project site, on November 5, 2020. This will not only increase the City round three application score but provide the community with an opportunity to will be hosting an additional meeting which will be initiated over the next 2 weeks with sufficient time to complete the grant application prior to its deadline on December 14, 2020.
8City Council Staff Report October 22, 2020 -Page 8 Proposition 68 SPP Grant Application Parks & Recreation Commission Review At the September 29, 2020, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, staff reviewed the SPP grant information with the Commission to obtain their recommendation for resubmitting the project application to Proposition 68 SPP program. The Commission unanimously recommended resubmitting the project for consideration and recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the application for Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program funds. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Section 21084 of the California Public Resources Code requires Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"). In accordance with the CEQA Guidelines, the City acting as "Lead Agency" pursuant to CEQA, previously completed an environmental analysis of the potential impacts resulting from construction of the Project, as part of the Avalon project. On May 5, 2004, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 20920, adopting and ordering the filing of a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the Project. Subsequently, on May 11, 2004, staff filed a Notice of Determination with the Riverside County Clerk and State Clearinghouse. The Avalon Project was amended and renamed Miralon and an assessment of the revised project under CEQA was conducted, include the proposed Park. On November 2, 2016, the City Council adopted resolution No. 24126, which concluded there were "No changed circumstances, no changes in the environment or changes in regulations have occurred since the approval of the MND. FISCAL IMPACT: The Proposition 68 SPP program may award up to a maximum of $8.5 million for the design and construction of the Whitewater Park. The final cost estimate for the Whitewater Park, as determined through community-based planning efforts and illustrated by the Conceptual Park Site Layout Plan, is $8,481,097 and within the maximum grant award. No matching funds are required. SUBMITTED: J ynt i A varado Marcus Fuller, PE, PLS, MPA Dire r, Department of Parks and Recreation Assistant City Manager/City Engineer David H. Ready, ETq., ~ City Manager Attachments: 1. Resolution
9RESOLUTION NO. --A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR 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, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS HEREBY DETERMINES, RESOLVES AND APPROVES AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Approves the filing of an application for "Design and Construction of the New Whitewater Park Project" through the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program. SECTION 2. Certifies that the City of Palm Springs 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. SECTION 3. Certifies that if the project is awarded, the City of Palm Springs has or will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project. SECTION 4. Certifies that the City of Palm Springs has reviewed, understands, and agrees to the General Provisions contained in the contract shown in the Grant Administration Guide. SECTION 5. 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. SECTION 6. Agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and guidelines
10Resolution No. Page2 SECTION 7. Will consider promoting inclusion per Public Resources Code §80001 (b)(B A-G). PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED BY THE PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL THIS 22nd DAY OF October, 2020. DAVID H. READY, CITY MANAGER ATTEST: ANTHONY J. MEJIA, MMC, CITY CLERK CERTIFICATION STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS ) I, ANTHONY J. MEJIA, MMC, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that Resolution No. __ is a full, true and correct copy as was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on October 22, 2020, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ANTHONY J. MEJIA, MMC, CITY CLERK