TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to apply for grant funds through the California State Parks Land and Water Conservation Fund, for the Willow Springs Park Wetlands Restoration and Trail Expansion Project (Project) and execute all documents necessary to accept and expend the funds to implement the purposes of the grant. (District 5)
DISCUSSION
City Council action is requested to adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to apply for grant funds through the California State Parks Land and Water Conservation Fund, to accept the grant funds, and if awarded, execute all documents necessary to implement the purpose of the grant. In January 2023, the California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services began solicitation for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program.
This competitive grant program is intended to increase outdoor recreational opportunities for the health and wellness of Californians. National Park Services administers the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program at the federal level. Funds allocated to California are administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services under the provisions of the California Outdoor Recreation Resources Plan Act of 1967.
The Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PRM) submitted an application for the Project requesting $1,500,000 to fund the next phase of the Willow Springs Park Wetlands Restoration and Trail Expansion Project. Funds awarded through the grant would align with the Parks Make Long Beach: PRM Strategic Plan by contributing to the success of the City's efforts to provide healthy and safe park spaces within underserved areas and sustainably managing water resources in park design.
Willow Springs Park (Park) is currently a 48-acre partially developed park space. The Willow Springs Wetlands Restoration and Trail Expansion Project will revitalize the 6 acres of existing park and create an additional 4.1 acre-foot of wetlands. The Project will also develop recreational hiking trails, water-capturing and cleaning bioswales, wildlife-supporting habitat, and interpretive signage. If awarded, the land within the Project site will be placed under permanent federal protection upon completion of the Project to preserve the public’s outdoor recreational use of the site in perpetuity.
The Project was identified as being competitive for this opportunity considering the grant criteria in that it:
• Will create outdoor recreational opportunities,
• Increase park acreage in an underserved area, and
• Has funds available to meet the 1:1 match requirement.
If awarded, the California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services will administer the Land and Water Conservation Fund. It is anticipated that projects recommended for grant award will be announced after November 1, 2023. The projects must be completed within three years of the National Park Service grant approval date.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Anita Lakhani on August 22, 2023 and by Budget Development Officer Jennfier Rodriguez on August 25, 2023.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on September 19, 2023, to adopt the Resolution required to be submitted prior to the announcement of the grant awards.
FISCAL IMPACT
Upon grant award, City Council approval will be requested to appropriate the awarded grant funding in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department, offset by grant revenue.
The grant has a one-to-one match requirement, which is available by leveraging other secured grant funds for existing work to the Park site. This includes $1,200,000 from Los Angeles County Flood Control Safe Clean Water Program funds (Measure W), and $300,000 from Los Angeles County Regional Parks and Open Space Measure A (Measure A), all of which will be used for the design phase of the Project. Therefore, if the full amount of the grant request is awarded, the total match of $1,500,000 is available. As the matching funds are not currently budgeted, if the grant is awarded, the Department will return to the City Council with a request for appropriation. The total project cost, inclusive of design, construction, construction management, labor, inspection and project oversight is estimated at $9,840,000. The Department has applied for additional grant funding and will continue to apply for grant opportunities as they become available to fully fund the Project.
This Project is anticipated to provide continued support to our local economy, however, the number of additional full-time equivalent local jobs created by this Project will not be known until the contractors complete their hiring and construction has commenced. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City council priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
BRENT DENNIS
DIRECTOR
PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER