TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to submit a grant application to California State Parks through the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program of 2008, in the amount of $5 million, for the construction of a community center and playground at Scherer Park, for a total estimated project cost of $10 million. (District 8)
DISCUSSION
On November 7, 2006, California voters passed Proposition 84, the $54 billion Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006, to provide capital funding for water quality and park programs. Subsequent enabling legislation authorized $368 million in Proposition 84 grant funding for the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program of 2008 (Park Development Program).
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) would like to apply for $5 million in grant funding through the Park Development Program for the construction of a new community center and playground at Scherer Park. Scherer Park is a 26-acre park with a cascading stream flowing to a small lake; a paved trail for walking, biking, and skating; basketball and tennis courts; large grassy areas for family picnics or simple relaxation; and a new dog park. On weekends, the park's cascading stream is a popular site for weddings and quinceanera photographs. Currently, there is no community center available to provide a place to gather for social interaction, educational opportunities, or recreation programs and services. The Eighth District Council office conducted several public meetings in order to gather community input for amenities to be included in the community center, as well as to determine the best site within the park to locate the new community center building (Attachment A).
Located between the cascading stream and the police substation, the Scherer Park Community Center is proposed to be a 16,000 square foot, two-story building that will be cut into the slope adjacent to the existing parking lot on Atlantic Avenue (Attachment B). The east side of the building will have an entry from the parking lot at the second level, while a ground level entry will be provided on the west side. Operational space within the community center will provide social gathering areas, game and fitness rooms, a conference room, a small library/reading room, a kitchen area, storage areas, public restrooms, and a small office area. An interior elevator and a sloping path at the
front of the community center will provide for ADA access (Attachments C and D). It is proposed to construct the community center to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standards. In addition to the community center, a playground will be included in the grant application as a second "recreational feature," which is a grant requirement for achieving maximum grant rating points used toward the awarding of funding. An aerial map of Scherer Park is attached (Attachment E).
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on January 25, 2010, and Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on January 28, 2010.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on February 16, 2010, in order to submit the grant application to California State Parks by their due date of March 1, 2010.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total direct cost of the project is estimated at $10 million. The requested grant will cover only 50 percent, or $5 million, of total project costs. As such, funding for the remaining $5 million in project costs has not been identified. In addition, future annual community center maintenance costs are estimated at $75,000. Future annual recreation programming costs are estimated at $275,000.
The availability of General Fund revenue to support costs for new parks and recreation services, including this project, or the reallocation of current funding away from existing programs to support this project, will need to be considered in the context of upcoming structural deficits and budget balancing solutions that will be required for FY 11 and FY 12. Lastly, should future funding for this project not materialize, any expenditure of State grant funds for project preparation and development will likely require reimbursement to the State from the General Fund.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR STATEWIDE PARK PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS
Respectfully Submitted,
PHIL T. HESTER
DIRECTOR, PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
NAME |
APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |