TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any necessary amendments, with the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), to fund the Open Streets Initiative for COVID-19 recovery;
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $25,000, offset by grant revenue; and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $25,000, offset by a transfer of NACTO funds from the Capital Grants Fund. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to execute an agreement with National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) for the receipt of grant funding in the amount of $25,000 to support the Open Streets Initiative for COVID-19 recovery.
In July 2020, staff pursued funding through the NACTO Pandemic Response and Recovery Grant Program, which provides funding to local agencies and nonprofits for temporary right-of-way modifications for physical-distancing. In July 2020, NACTO awarded the City of Long Beach (City) $25,000 for the Mom-and-Pop Parklets Program, to conduct outreach and install 15 temporary parklets to small businesses. The grant funds will be expended from August through October 2020 to conduct outreach, procure materials, deploy parklets, and provide a small stipend for parklet amenities.
While Public Works has installed over 100 temporary parklets since June 2020, most are concentrated in neighborhoods with established business improvement districts (BIDs), including Downtown and Belmont Shore. This program aims to provide physically-distant outdoor dining options to businesses not represented by BIDs. Outreach will be conducted in Central, West, and North Long Beach as well as Wrigley Village, with a particular emphasis on businesses owned by non-native English-speaking proprietors.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on July 30, 2020 and by Budget Analysis Officer Julissa José-Murray on August 14, 2020.
SUSTAINABILITY
The Open Streets Initiative includes a focus on sustainability, efficiency and livability, which are intended to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions while also prioritizing and promoting active transportation options.
EQUITY LENS
The City has incorporated the Equity Toolkit into this recommendation as requested by the City Council on April 21, 2020. Creating an open streets initiative and exploring ways to open more public space citywide, in particular in open space and park deficient areas, allows for increased outdoor activities and a stronger economic recovery, while maintaining appropriate physical distancing in accordance with the current Health Order.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on September 1, 2020, to appropriate the funds to meet the November 1, 2020 expenditure deadline.
FISCAL IMPACT
This recommendation will allow for the implementation of a Mom-and-Pop Parklets Program to conduct outreach and install 15 temporary parklets to small businesses with the NACTO grant award of $25,000. An appropriation increase in the amount of $50,000 is requested in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department. Of this amount, $25,000 will be offset with grant revenue received from NACTO. The remaining $25,000 is a technical appropriation to allow for the transfer of grant revenue from the Capital Grants Fund, a fund within the Capital Projects Fund Group. This request is anticipated to have no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ERIC LOPEZ
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER