TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a grant agreement, and any necessary documents including any amendments, with the Port of Long Beach (POLB) through the Community Grants Program, to accept and expend grant funding in an amount not to exceed $1,990,215, to be utilized toward the development of the 51st Street Greenbelt and Drake Chavez Park Connection Projects; and execute any documents necessary for the administration of the projects; and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $1,990,215, offset by Harbor Department grant reimbursement revenues; and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $1,990,215, for a technical appropriation to allow for the transfer of Harbor Department funds from the Capital Projects Grant Fund, a fund within the Capital Projects Fund Group. (Districts 1,8)
DISCUSSION
In June 2019, POLB began its solicitation for Community Infrastructure applications for the Community Grants Program (Grant). The goal of this competitive grant is to reduce port-related impacts associated with air quality, noise, traffic, and water quality by funding community infrastructure projects outside the Harbor District, in the neighborhoods and corridors where these impacts are most acutely felt. The City’s three Grant applications were for the 51st Greenbelt, the Drake Chavez Park Connection, and the Lincoln Park Landscaping Projects submitted by the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PRM), which did not require a City Council Resolution. The POLB awarded Grant funds to all three projects in the total amount of $2,971,495, of which $981,280 was previously approved by the City Council on March 17, 2020 for the Lincoln Park Landscaping Project.
City Council approval is requested to execute a grant agreement for the remaining two projects, 51st Street Greenbelt Project ($999,115) and the Drake Chavez Park Connection Project ($991,100), and to accept $1,990,215 in Grant funds. Funds awarded through the Grant will contribute to much-needed development of additional greenspace. All three projects approved for Grant funding include design, installation of plants and trees, irrigation, water capturing bioswales, and construction of pedestrian walking paths. This will create 11.68 total acres of greenspace among 51st Street Greenbelt, Lincoln Park, and the Drake Chavez Park Connection.
Currently, the 51st Street Greenbelt is a .97-acre undeveloped open space located adjacent to the DeForest Wetlands and the Los Angeles River Bike Path. The Drake Chavez Connection is a 5.81-acre former industrial and abandoned railroad property, which will connect Cesar Chavez Park in Downtown Long Beach (26 acres) and Drake Park (6 acres) in the Willmore City Historic District. Lincoln Park is a 4.9-acre park being redesigned and constructed where the former main library is located in Downtown Long Beach.
This matter was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Gary J. Anderson and Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on July 29, 2020.
SUSTAINABILITY
These projects will provide buffers between sources of port-related impacts from freight operations including emissions, traffic, and noise from ships, trucks, trains, tugboats, and terminal equipment. The projects will reduce these impacts to the surrounding communities. In addition, these projects will help mitigate air quality and noise impacts using trees and landscaping to block noise and absorb particulate matter and greenhouse gases.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on August 18, 2020, to ensure the grants are executed expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The preliminary total estimated cost is $14,500,000 for the Drave Chavez Park Connection Project and $3,000,000 for the 51st Street Greenbelt Project. The total estimated cost includes design, construction, construction management, labor compliance, and project oversight. The grant award from the Harbor Department will fund landscape improvements for both projects. The grant will not exceed $1,990,215 and has no match requirement. An appropriation increase in the amount of $3,980,430 is requested in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department. Of this amount, the appropriation increase of $1,990,215 will be offset with reimbursement grant revenue received from the Harbor Department. The remaining $1,990,215 is a technical appropriation to allow for the transfer of Harbor Department funds from the Capital Projects Grant Fund, a fund within the Capital Projects Fund Group.
It is anticipated that both projects will be completed in phases as funding becomes available. Each project phase may not proceed until funding is secured and appropriations are approved by the City Council. The additional cost to operate and maintain the sites is preliminarily estimated at $230,000 per year and includes grounds maintenance and irrigation. Additional costs related to programming and administration are currently unknown and will be assessed during future phases of the projects. Following project completion, the operating and maintenance cost will be incurred by the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department. The department will return to the City Council with a request for appropriation as part of the annual budget development process.
This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. Approval of this recommendation will provide continued support to our local economy. The number of additional local jobs created by these projects will not be known until the contractors complete their hiring and construction has commenced.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
BRENT DENNIS ERIC LOPEZ
DIRECTOR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER