TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to submit grant applications to the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District, for approximately $265,000 in excess funds for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, Rotary Park, and 21st and Hill Park projects; and execute any documents necessary for the implementation and administration of the projects. (Districts 4,6,7)
DISCUSSION
In 1992, the voters of Los Angeles County approved the establishment of a $540 million park-and-open-space property assessment to fund 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, the voters approved an increase of $319 million to the assessment for additional projects. Through the two park bond measures, the City received millions of dollars to fund a wide variety of park projects throughout the City.
The District assessment is generating more than enough money to enable the District to meet all of its financial requirements. The 1996 Proposition requires an annual determination, based on projected revenues and expenditures, of any additional amount that can be made available for more projects. This additional amount is called Excess Funds. The Proposition requires a specified split of funding among eligible entities, and the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors (Board) has further split those funds among the five Supervisorial Districts. The District administrator works with each Supervisor's office to determine and implement methods for distributing the funds available through that office, including obtaining approval of each office's distribution by the Board as a whole. Once the Board allocates the funds, the District administers them in the same manner as other grants.
Supervisor Don Knabe has notified the Department that excess funding is available for specific projects in Long Beach. Therefore, the Department is requesting City Council approval for $265,000 in grant funding for the following projects through the Los Angeles County Park Bond Act Excess Funds:
Martin Luther Kina. Jr. Park Plavaround Renovation - $80,000
Rotarv Park Shade Shelter - $85,000
21st & Hill Mini-Park - $100,000 - Construction of new park along the Los Angeles River.
Also, on January 18, 2005, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) approved a resolution authorizing assignment of the right to apply for $200,000 in Proposition A Specified Excess funds along the Los Angeles River to the City of Long Beach for the Drake-Chavez Greenbelt project. As a result of the MRCA's assignment, the City is able to apply to the Los Angeles Regional Park and Open Space District to secure the $200,000 in grant funds. The District requires that a resolution accompany the City's application.
Drake-Chavez Greenbelt Park Proiect - $200,000. Acquisition of one parcel of land on San Francisco Avenue.
Donna F. Gwin, Senior Deputy City Attorney, prepared the resolutions. This letter was reviewed by Budget Management Officer David Wodynski on February 23, 2005.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on March 8, 2005, to submit the resolutions to the county in a timely manner.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total project costs for the projects are as follows:
Martin Luther Kina. Jr. Park Plavaround Renovation - $80,000. Total cost of the project is $80,000.
Rotarv Park Shade Shelter - $85,000. Total cost of the project is $563,000 ($85,000 in Excess Funds, $100,000 donation from the Rotary Club, $165,000 from future Park Impact Fees in the Capital Projects Fund, and $213,000 in Proposition 40 RobertiZ'berg-Harris Funds).
21st & Hill Mini-Park - $100,000. Total cost of the project is $100,000.
Drake-Chavez Greenbelt Park Proiect - $200,000.
Total cost of the project is estimated at $1,632,175 ($200,000 in Excess Funds, $582,175 in Los Angeles County Proposition A - MRCA residual funding and $850,000 in Proposition 13 California Resources Agency funds).
Upon notification of the grant awards, the Department will return to City Council to request authorization to accept the funds and increase appropriations.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Long Beach authorizing the City Manager to submit to the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District for excess funding for the renovation of the playground at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, installation of shade shelter at Rotary Park, and construction of a mini part at 21st street and Hill street.
Respectfully Submitted,
[Respectfully Submitted,]