TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to request the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District to transfer $582,175 in Proposition A residual funds from the Baker Street and Golden Avenue Project to the Drake-Chavez Greenbelt Park Acquisition Project to acquire property at 620 San Francisco Avenue; and execute all documents necessary to implement and administer the project; and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PR) by $850,000.
(District 1)
DISCUSSION
Los Angeles County (Proposition A) Funds:
In 1992, the voters of Los Angeles County approved an assessment (Proposition A) to fund $540 million in projects for the acquisition and preservation of endangered wilderness lands, and to rehabilitate and improve dozens of park and recreational facilities throughout Los Angeles County. The proposition also created the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (District) to manage the funds. In 1996, voters approved an increase of $319 million for additional projects. Through the two park bond measures, the City received millions of dollars to fund a wide variety of local park projects.
As a part of the park bond measures, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) received funds for the benefit of the lower Los Angeles River. The City of Long Beach is the largest city in the lower Los Angeles River area; therefore, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (Department) initiated a funding request to the MRCA to assign $2 million in funds for the acquisition of two parcels of land in Wrigley Heights. As a result of the assignment, the City acquired the Baker Avenue and Golden Avenue (Baker/Golden) parcels in Wrigley Heights. After the acquisition was complete, $582,175 in funding remained. Subsequently, the City requested and the MRCA approved the transfer of funding from the Baker/Golden Project to acquire a parcel at 67th Street; however, this acquisition did not take place. The City now plans to use the $582,175 in remaining funds to acquire a parcel located at 620 San Francisco Avenue, as part of the Drake/Chavez Greenbelt Project.
On July 6, 2005, the MRCA approved a resolution to authorize the redirection of funds from the former 67th Street Project (which did not occur) to the San Francisco Avenue Project. In order to now acquire the parcel at 620 San Francisco Avenue, the District has requested that the City Council approve a resolution to transfer the funds to the Drake/Chavez Greenbelt Project. Upon approval of the resolution, the City will request approval from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to transfer the funds, who authorizes funds fro the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District.
California Resources Aqencv Proposition 13 Funds:
On November 9, 2004, City Council adopted a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit a grant application to the California Resources Agency to apply for $850,000 through Proposition 13 funds, toward the acquisition of the San Francisco Avenue parcel in the Drake/Chavez Greenbelt Project. The grant funds were awarded and a grant contract has been executed. City Council action is now needed. to increase appropriations by $850,000 in order to acquire the property.
This letter was reviewed by Senior Deputy Attorney Donna F. Gwin on August 24,2005, and Budget Management Officer David Wodynski on August 29,2005.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
[Timing Considerations]
FISCAL IMPACT
[Fiscal Impact]
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO REQUEST THAT THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT TRANSFER RESIDUAL FUNDING FOR THE ACQUISITION OF LAND AT 620 SAN FRANCISCO AVENUE IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH
Respectfully Submitted,
[Respectfully Submitted,]