TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file the Drake Chavez Vision Plan;
Adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to submit a grant application to the California Department of Parks and Recreation for the first phase of the Drake Chavez Vision Plan Implementation Project; accept said grant, if awarded, in an amount of $8,500,000 in Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program funding; execute all documents necessary to accept the funds for the implementation of the Drake Chavez Vision Plan; and
Accept Statutory Exemption SE-19-191. (District 1)
DISCUSSION
On June 5, 2018, California voters passed the Parks, Environment, and Water Bond (Proposition 68), which authorized $4 billion in general obligation bonds for state and local parks. The measure required that between 15 and 20 percent of the bond funds, depending on the type of project, be dedicated to projects in communities with median household incomes less than 60 percent of the statewide average; that 60 percent threshold amounted to about $39,980 in 2016. The largest amount of bond revenue, $725 million, was earmarked for neighborhood parks in park-poor neighborhoods in accordance with the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Act of 2008's competitive grant program. The California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has notified applicants that $650,275,000 will be distributed throughout multiple rounds. Grant awards are anticipated to be announced in January 2020.
In 2010, the Drake Chavez Greenbelt Master Plan was completed, following a series of stakeholder discussions and community meetings. This community engagement effort, and ultimately the Master Plan, focused on amassing properties for park purposes that would connect Cesar E. Chavez Park to Drake Park, through the development of wetlands and passive and active open space (Attachment A). The City had received a series of grants from the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2000 (Proposition 12), the Safe Drinking Water, Clean Water, Watershed Protection and Flood Protection Act (Proposition 13), the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 (Proposition 40), and Redevelopment Agency Central Project Area Revenue Bond proceeds to purchase a 1.20-acre property at 903 Fairbanks Avenue, the 5.05-acre Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority Bus Lot, and 8.9 acres previously owned by the Union Pacific Railroad Company.
Since the completion of the Drake Chavez Master Plan, many new projects have begun to impact these future park parcels, including Long Beach Municipal Urban Stormwater Treatment Facility (LB MUST), the I-710 Realignment Project proposed by the California Department of Transportation, and the Shoemaker Bridge Replacement Project. The Drake Chavez Vision Plan (Vision Plan) incorporates these new projects, new feedback from the community, and updates the original Drake Chavez Master Plan.
The Vision Plan serves as a visionary document to guide future improvements at the acquired, undeveloped park parcels as well as future improvements to Drake and Cesar E. Chavez Parks to address the needs of the community (Attachment B).
In 2016, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation completed a Needs Assessment for parks throughout the region, including Long Beach, using indicators such as socioeconomics, public health, and land use. The Needs Assessment results showed that there is 1.65 park acres per 1,000 residents at Cesar E. Chavez Park and 1.98 park acres per 1,000 residents at Drake Park, and 22 percent of the population surrounding these parks need park space and are categorized as a critically-underserved areas. This competitive grant will provide an opportunity to develop an undeveloped park parcel into a multi-benefit project with new and renovated recreation features, and integration of environmental design features that would promote water conservation, reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, improve human health and increase outdoor recreation opportunities. Funds awarded through the Proposition 68 would fund projects designed to contribute to the success of the City's efforts to provide a healthy, and safe park spaces within underserved areas.
The City’s Parks, Recreation, and Marine Department partnered with the First Council District, the Willmore Heritage Neighborhood Association, Communities with Power to Change, the nonprofit Kounkuey Design Initiative, and Public Health Advocates to conduct community engagement for the Vision Plan. So far, these groups have conducted nine public workshops, and developed three community-sourced vision concepts for the park. The public workshops examined desired amenities, prioritized community feedback and voted on top park improvement ideas. The Vision Plan is a plan for future park investment, anticipated over a long-term horizon, which will be implemented incrementally over time as capital, maintenance and operating resources allow.
The first opportunity for funding the first phase of the Vision Plan is the first round of Proposition 68 funding. The Parks, Recreation and Marine and Public Works Departments are requesting authorization to submit an application for the Drake Chavez Vision Plan Implementation Project (Project) to request $8,500,000 in grant funds from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program. The Project proposes a variety of family-oriented amenities, from passive to active, that promote physical health and well-being for all ages, including a running trail with mile markers around the site; centralized active area with sport courts and exercise machines; landscaped buffers; community garden to mitigate noise for neighbors; and, outdoor performance and picnic area, a playground, skate park, dog park, restrooms, parking and site furnishing.
This Project was determined to best fit Proposition 68 requirements and maximize competitiveness because it: (1) is located in a park-deficient area and serves identified populations needing access to open space; (2) is in an area with significant poverty; (3) has been developed from significant community engagement and a community-based planning process; and, (4) leverages partnerships with the neighborhood association. The Project is also consistent with: (1) the City’s 2003 Open Space and Recreation Element that adopted a citywide goal of eight acres of parkland per 1,000 residents; (2) the County of Los Angeles’ 2016 Countywide Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment; and, (3) the City’s Economic Blueprint that identifies Quality of Life as a focus area with an objective to increase public parkland per 1,000 people with an emphasis on “park poor” areas; (4) Los Angeles River Master Plan; and, (5) the Long Beach RiverLink plan developed by the City in 2003-2007.
The Project has been reviewed under the California Environmental Quality Act and Statutory Exemption SE 19-191 (Attachment C) was issued for this recommendation.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Arturo D. Sanchez on June 19, 2019 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on June 24, 2019.
SUSTAINABILITY
Project funding will support the implementation of the first phase of the Vision Plan, increasing access to open space that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves air quality. Any exercise loops, sports fields, and fitness equipment purchased through this grant will provide new passive walking trails that encourage healthy outdoor exercise, which help to decrease obesity and other adverse health impacts. This Project will use and feature sustainable materials. This Project is consistent with the City’s sustainable construction practices and Livability Initiative and increases the amount of open space acres, consistent with the City’s Open Space Element.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on July 16, 2019, to submit the Resolution to DPR prior to the grant deadline of August 5, 2019.
FISCAL IMPACT
If the grant is awarded, up to $8,500,000 in project costs will be eligible for reimbursement by the grant. The grant does not require matching funds or in-kind services. Upon grant award and prior to Project initiation, the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department will return with a request for appropriation, offset by grant funds. The total first phase Project costs are estimated at $8,500,000, which includes direct Project costs including construction contingency, design, construction support, labor compliance, and related project oversight. The Project will include renovating the community center, an open grass area, a playground area, adding a walking/jogging trail, a picnic area, a shade structure, outdoor fitness equipment, outdoor seating, and sports field. Upon Project completion, the Parks, Recreation, and Marine Department will be responsible for ongoing operating and maintenance costs, which are unknown at this time and will be estimated based on the scope awarded. Ongoing operating and maintenance costs are not budgeted and will be requested as part of the budget process. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. This recommendation will result in a positive impact on jobs, although the exact number is unknown at this time.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
GERARDO MOUET
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
CRAIG BECK
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER