TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into an agreement, and any necessary subsequent amendments, with the Bluff Park Neighborhood Association, to accept and expend funding in the amount of $38,114, for Phases I and II of the Bluff Park Historic Lamppost Project, and any future funds for subsequent phases; and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $38,114, offset by funds received from the Bluff Park Neighborhood Association. (District 2)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into an agreement with the Bluff Park Neighborhood Association (BPNA) to allow the City of Long Beach (City) to accept and expend funds for Phases I and II of the Bluff Park Historic Lamppost Project (Projects).
The BPNA has been actively raising funds through personal donations and from charities since 2017 to help fund the Projects. The vision of BPNA’s Bluff Park Historic Lamppost Project is to remove the uncharacteristic modern streetlights in the Bluff Park Historic District and install historically appropriate lampposts matching the look and pattern of the late-1920s East 1st Street lampposts. The Projects are scheduled in phases, with installations on each street from Junipero to Loma Avenues running from Ocean Boulevard and 2nd Street. Overall, the Projects will result in the removal 104 cobra head style streetlights and installation of 149 decorative lampposts covering the boundaries of the Bluff Park Historic District. To date, the City has completed two phases (20 lampposts): Phase I - Paloma Avenue completed in June 2019, and Phase II - Temple Avenue completed in October 2021.
The total cost of Phase I was $120,903 and $152,209 for Phase II, inclusive of the purchase of lampposts, construction, inspections, and project oversight. In June 2019, the City received $20,057 from the BPNA to partially fund Phase I. The City recently received $18,057 from BPNA for Phase II. A total of $38,114 has been received to date from BPNA for the Bluff Park Historic Lamppost Projects. Additionally, the overall project (Phases I - III) have been funded with $150,000 in Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 21) Measure A Surplus with an additional $269,000 of General Capital and One-Time funds over the years, dating back to FY 17. The FY 23 approved budget includes $300,000 from Measure A bond funding, along with a motion to include an additional $400,000 from future FY 22 Surplus funds, if available.
The BPNA continues to raise funds for future phases of the Projects. They were recently awarded a grant from the Long Beach Navy Memorial Heritage Association (Navy Trust), which will help fund Phase III located on Molino Avenue.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Vanessa S. Ibarra on November 14, 2022 and by Budget Management Officer Nader Kaamoush on November 12, 2022.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on December 6, 2022, to execute an Agreement to complete the funding for Phase I and II, close the projects out, and begin Phase III.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost of Phase I was $120,903 and $152,209 for Phase II, inclusive of the purchase of lampposts, construction, construction management, inspections, and project oversight. The appropriation increase of $38,114 is reflective of BPNA’s total contribution to date and will close the funding gap in both Phase I and Phase II of the Projects. An appropriation increase is requested in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department in the amount of $38,114, offset by funds received from the BPNA. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and 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