TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement and any necessary documents including subsequent amendments, with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Fund to accept and expend grant funds for the Silverado Park Playground project (Project), in the amount of $1,500,000;
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department by $15,000, offset by grant revenue;
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department by $15,000, offset by a transfer of HUD Community Development grant funds from the Capital Grants Fund;
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $1,485,000, offset by grant revenue; and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $1,485,000, offset by a transfer of HUD Community Development grant funds from the Capital Grants Fund. (District 7)
DISCUSSION
In the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 (Act), the United States Congress made available “grants for the Economic Development Initiative for the purposes of Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending.” Congressman Alan Lowenthal requested and secured $1,500,000 in funding for the City of Long Beach for the Silverado Park Playground Project through the Act (Grant Number B-22-CP-CA-0135).
The funds will be used to replace an existing playground at Silverado Park, which is located at 1545 West 31st Street. The replacement playground will include modern and inclusive play features while meeting current safety guidelines. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds will be supplemented by $200,000 of Long Beach Measure A funds which are being used in the design phase.
HUD is administering the funds for the Project. The Parks, Recreation and Marine Department submitted a grant application in December 2022 as a required first step to access the funds. In March 2023, the City received the grant agreement from HUD. City Council action is required to execute the agreement and appropriate the funds for the construction phase.
The recommended action is aligned with the Parks Make Long Beach: PRM Strategic Plan. Specifically, the first goal in the Strategic Plan is to provide safe, accessible public spaces and one of the outcomes is that there are well-resourced parks in all parts of Long Beach, particularly in park-poor neighborhoods of North, West, and Central Long Beach. Replacing the Silverado Park playground is an important step towards enhancing park space and user experience in West Long Beach.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Anita Lakhani on May 25, 2023 and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on May 24, 2023.
SUSTAINABILITY
The Project will provide recreational opportunities and improved park amenities at Silverado Park by utilizing sustainably manufactured equipment when possible while continuing to uphold playground safety standards.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 13, 2023, as the grant agency has provided the City with the grant amendment for signature by the authorized representative.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost of the Project is estimated at $1,700,000, which includes design, construction, construction management, inspection, labor compliance, grant administration, and project oversight. The Project is funded by $200,000 of Long Beach Measure A funds currently budgeted in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department, and $1,500,000 from the HUD grant. No match or in-kind service mandate is required.
An appropriation increase is requested in the amount of $30,000 in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department for grant administration, including staff and consultant support. Of this amount, $15,000 will be offset with reimbursement revenues received from the HUD grant. The remaining amount of $15,000 is a technical appropriation to allow for the transfer of HUD Community Development grant funds from the Capital Grants Fund, a fund within the Capital Projects Fund Group.
An appropriation increase is requested in the amount of $2,970,000 in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department for project costs. Of this amount, $1,485,000 will be offset with reimbursement revenues received from the HUD grant. The remaining amount of $1,485,000 is a technical appropriation to allow for the transfer of HUD Community Development grant funds from the Capital Grants Fund, a fund within the Capital Projects Fund Group.
Upon Project completion, ongoing park maintenance will be the responsibility of the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department. As the proposed playground funded by this project is replacing an existing playground, there will be no additional maintenance costs associated with this project. Maintenance costs are currently budgeted in the General Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. The number of local jobs created by this project will not be known until the contractors have completed their hiring and construction has commenced.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
BRENT DENNIS
DIRECTOR
PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
ERIC LOPEZ
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER