TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to submit a grant application to the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District, in the amount of $623,600, for the implementation of Phase 2 of the DeForest Wetlands project. (Districts 8,9)
DISCUSSION
On November 3, 1992 and on November 5, 1996, the people of Los Angeles County (County) enacted Proposition A, Safe Neighborhood Parks, Gang Prevention, Tree Planting, Senior and Youth Recreation, Beach and Wildlife Protection (Proposition A), which, among other uses, provides funds to public agencies and nonprofit organizations in the County for the purpose of acquiring and/or developing facilities and open space for public recreation. Proposition A also created the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District to administer Proposition A funds.
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) proposes to apply for $623,600 in grant funding through Proposition A for implementation of Phase 2 of the DeForest Wetlands project. The DeForest Wetlands site is located along the east bank of the Los Angeles River in the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD) Market Street Detention Basin (Attachment). The project will provide for the development of 39 acres of wetlands, riparian and upland habitat, accessible public trails, and educational interpretation along the Los Angeles River, from DeForest Park to Del Amo Boulevard. The DeForest Wetlands project will link to the County's recently-completed Dominguez Gap project, which is located south of Del Amo Boulevard. The City of Long Beach (City) entered into a use agreement with LACFCD for the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of the DeForest Wetlands on June 28, 2012.
Project design and environmental review have been completed. Invitation to Bid R-6873 was posted on August 26, 2014, and bidding closed on October 15, 2014. Bids were received from six vendors. However, the apparent low bid exceeded the project budget, so all bids were rejected. Project drawings are currently being revised to reflect phased construction. Phase 1 will include improvements to the Nature Center, habitat creation, the trail network, and interpretive signage. Phase 2 will further improve habitats through enhanced landscape plantings, will expand the accessible trails through the wetlands portion of the site, and will improve the parking lot at 52nd Street.
Approximately $7 million of funding for development of the DeForest Wetlands project has been provided by the California Coastal Conservancy, the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, and the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District under a previous Proposition A grant.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Kendra L. Carney on April 27, 2015, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on April 29, 2015.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 19, 2015, in order to submit the grant application to the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District by their due date of June 3, 2015.
FISCAL IMPACT
In 2012, the total cost of the project was estimated at $7.7 million. Final design and plan check of the project delayed project bidding until August 2014. Due to construction cost increases in the intervening time, the total cost of both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project is now estimated at $10 million. A summary of the funding currently appropriated in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Public Works Department (PW) is as follows:
Agency Amount
California Coastal Conservancy $1,500,000
Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers and Mountains Conservancy $3,500,000
Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District $2,000,000
TOTAL: $7,000,000
If awarded, this grant will offset $623,600 of the $3 million still needed to complete both phases of this project. This grant does not require the City to provide matching funds or in-kind services. Remaining funding in the amount of $2.37 million is being sought, but has not yet been identified. Future annual park maintenance costs, which will be provided by PRM's landscape contractor, are estimated at $5,000 to the General Fund. This amount is currently unbudgeted and will need to be addressed as part of the annual budget preparation process upon completion of the project. Should the grant application be selected, a recommendation will be made to the City Council to accept the grant and appropriate the funding. There is no impact to jobs associated with the recommended action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR THE 2015 COUNTYWIDE COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM FOR DEFOREST WETLANDS PHASE 2 AND APPROVING THE ADOPTION OF A YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PLAN
Respectfully Submitted,
GEORGE CHAPJIAN
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER