..Title
Adoption of Resolution for Authorization to Apply for Housing Related Parks Grant from the State Department of Housing and Community Development for the Annual Playground Replacement Program. (Recreation and Parks 280)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Adoption of Resolution for Authorization to Apply for the Housing Related Parks Grant from the State Department of Housing and Community Development for the Annual Playground Replacement Program
BACKGROUND
The Housing Related Parks grant program (HRP) from the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is designed to encourage cities and counties to develop new residential housing that is affordable to lower-income households and are in compliance with the State Housing Element law. The program awards funds on a per-bedroom basis for each residential unit affordable to very low- and low-income households permitted during the designated program year. The program provides funds for parks and recreation projects that benefit the entire community.
The City or Alameda received $201,000 from the HRP in 2014, which was used for the Estuary Park Phase 1 project.
DISCUSSION
The HCD does not use a competitive process to award funds; all cities and counties receive funding if they meet the eligibility requirements outlined below.
1. Have a housing element that has been adopted by the governing body and was determined to be in substantial compliance with the State housing element law.
2. Submit the required Annual Progress Report (APR) for the Designated Program Year.
3. Eligible units must be occupied by households whose incomes are within the published income limits for extremely low-, very low- or low-income households.
The total amount of funding awarded is on a per-bedroom basis for each eligible housing unit for low and very-low income residents. In addition to the base grant award, bonus funds are awarded for a variety of factors, such as proximity to the affordable housing units. The city is applying for an amount not to exceed $357,000. This is based on permits for 70 allowable affordable housing units with a total of 207 bedrooms.
This HRP grant program provides funding for parks and recreation projects that improve the community’s quality of life and includes substantial rehabilitation of facilities with an expected useful life of at least 15 years. To best serve the community, staff identified the Annual Playground Replacement Program (APRP) to fund. The APRP, through the annual capital improvement project process, replaces one park playground each year based on age and condition of the facility, with input solicited from neighbors making each playground design unique. The playground safety surfacing is typically changed from existing wood fiber to poured-in place rubber surfacing whenever feasible. This reduces maintenance expenditures as well as increases accessibility for those with physical challenges. These playground replacements improve overall playground safety and accessibility. Both Longfellow Park and Godfrey Park playground replacements have been completed and the Woodstock Park playground replacement will be under construction later this spring. Therefore, for this round of funding, staff identified the playgrounds at Little John Park and Tillman Park.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The estimated total cost to renovate the Little John and Tillman Park playgrounds is $300,000 - $350,000. Once the final HRP grant award amount is confirmed, that amount will be included in the Capital Improvement Project Budget (91621) for Fiscal Year 2017-19.
Funds will be released in the fall of 2017 and must be expended by June 30, 2019.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action has no effect on the Municipal Code. The Master Plan provides a guide for future policy decisions regarding parks and recreational facilities.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed project includes the rehabilitation and improvement of an existing park. The proposal is consistent with the zoning and general plan designation for the property and the improvements will be subject to the existing design requirements of the Alameda Municipal Code ensuring compatibility with adjacent land uses. For these reasons, the proposed project will not result in any significant environmental impacts and is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15301 (existing facilities), 15302 (replacement or reconstruction), and 15303 (new construction or conversion of small structures).
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution for authorization to apply for the Housing Related Parks Grant from the State Department of Housing and Community Development for the Annual Playground Replacement Program.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director