TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to submit a grant application to the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District in the amount of $5 million for Los Angeles River projects in the City of Long Beach. (Districts 1,7,8,9)
DISCUSSION
In November 1992 and November 1996, the voters of Los Angeles County approved Proposition A, the Safe Neighborhood Parks proposition. As a result, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) was allocated $12 million in funding for projects that benefit the lower Los Angeles River. Don Knabe, Los Angeles County Fourth District Supervisor, has requested that the MRCA assign $5 million of these funds to the City of Long Beach (City) for projects related to the Los Angeles River. These funds would be used as follows:
> DeForest Wetlands Development - $2.5 million: This project will recreate 34 acres of historic wetlands, scrub, and woodland habitat, as well as provide water quality improvement, passive recreational amenities, and interpretive enhancements, while retaining flood control properties to create a river parkway along the Los Angeles River from the existing DeForest Park to Del Amo Boulevard. This is a joint project between the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, the California Coastal Conservancy, the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC), and the City of Long Beach.
> Drake/Chavez Greenbelt Acquisition - $1 million: The 0.78 acres to be acquired will become part of a greenway connecting the 23-acre Cesar E. Chavez Park to the six acres of Drake Park. When completed, this greenway will be 46 acres of open space containing wetlands and wildlife habitat in a unique and biologically significant area where salt water meets fresh water at the mouth of the Los Angeles River. The cost of the parcel is $2.7 million, of which $1.7 million has already been secured from California Proposition 13 funds through the RMC, Los Angeles County Proposition A Excess Revenue, City Redevelopment funds, and transfers from completed projects.
> Wrigley Greenbelt Development - $1 million: The project site is a pie-shaped property, approximately one mile long and 40-100' wide, stretching from Willow Street to 34t Street. Numerous trees were planted in this area in 2000, but very little other landscaping was completed. This project will provide the park with native plants, a multipurpose trail, a storm water run-off swale, and other amenities.
> Baker Street Mini-Park Development - $500,000: This project will develop a parcel acquired with Los Angeles County Proposition funding into a 1.34 acre neighborhood mini-park in the Wrigley Heights area near the Los Angeles River and the 405 Freeway.
On July 12, 2007, the MRCA approved a resolution authorizing the City assignment of the right to apply for $5 million in Proposition A funds for the implementation of the Los Angeles River projects listed above. As a result of the MRCA's assignment, the City is able to apply to the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (District) to secure the $5 million in grant funds. The District requires that a Resolution accompany the City's application.
Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson reviewed this matter and prepared the attached Resolution on October 16,2007, and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell reviewed this matter on October 25, 2007.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on November 6, 2007, to allow submission of the grant application to the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District.
FISCAL IMPACT
The requested funding through Proposition A, administered through the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District, will provide funding in the amount of $5 million for DeForest Wetlands Development, Drake/Chavez Greenbelt Acquisition, Wrigley Greenbelt Development, and Baker Street Mini-Park Development. Once the grant is awarded, a recommendation will be made to the City Council to authorize acceptance and appropriation of the grant funds.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR LOS ANGELES RIVER PROJECTS IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, INCLUDING (a) DEFOREST WETLANDS DEVELOPMENT; (b)
DRAKE/CHAVEZ GREENBEL T; (c) WRIGLEY GREENBELT; AND (d) THE BAKER STREET MINI-PARK
Respectfully Submitted,
PHIL T. HESTER
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
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APPROVED: |
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Patrick H. West |
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CITY MANAGER |