Title
Adoption of Resolution Approving the Application for Parks and Water Bond Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) Per Capita Grant Funds for Park Improvements. (Recreation and Parks 280)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Parks and Water Bond Act of 2018, Proposition 68, was approved by voters and includes the Per Capita grant program to provide funds for local park rehabilitation and improvement on a per capita basis. The City of Alameda (City) qualifies for the minimum allocation of $200,000 and a resolution is required to apply for funding. The Alameda Recreation and Parks Department (ARPD) intends to utilize these funds for replacement of the Krusi Park playground.
BACKGROUND
The per capita funding from Proposition 68 is encouraged for utilization on rehabilitating existing park infrastructure as well as addressing lack of parks in neighborhoods lacking access to the outdoors.
Sixty percent (60%) of the General Per Capita Funds are non-competitive funds allocated to cities and eligible districts with a minimum allocation of $200,000 for which the City qualifies. A resolution is required by the governing body to qualify for these funds. The remaining forty percent (40%) is allocated to counties and regional park and open space districts.
In 2014, ARPD implemented an Annual Playground Replacement program to ensure that all of its playgrounds are modernized and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility and safety requirements. Since then playgrounds at Longfellow, Godfrey, Woodstock, and Littlejohn Parks have been replaced and the playground at Bayport Park is funded and will be replaced soon.
DISCUSSION
Staff intends to utilize the Per Capita grant fund toward replacement of the playground at Krusi Park. It is older and heavily utilized as it serves the neighborhood as well as being the sole playground for Otis Elementary School students. The playground is old enough that parts are no longer available for replacement. Staff will work closely with Otis Elementary students, parents and neighborhood families on the playground design. This is one of the larger playgrounds in the City and the $200,000 of Per Capita grant funds will supplement the Playground Replacement funding allocated in the approved Fiscal Year 2019-21 Capital Improvement Project Budget for a total of $450,000. This will provide for replacement of both the under 5 play area and the 5-12 year old playground. The playground design is reviewed by the Recreation and Parks Commission and then brought to City Council for final approval.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council could provide direction to utilize the Per Capita grant funds for a different Alameda Park improvement project.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This action will authorize the City to apply for the Per Capita Grant Fund in the amount of $200,000. The appropriation of these funds will come to City Council for approval once the grant is executed.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action has no effect on the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301, as it is a minor alteration of an existing facility involving negligible expansion of use.
CLIMATE IMPACTS
ARPD is working to plant trees and provide shade at all new playground installations. Planting trees in parks addresses the Sequestration section of the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan to further develop the urban forest which provides shade and reduces heat-related risk, slows soil erosion, blocks sound, helps settle particles in the air, provides bird habitat, and enhances the beauty of the City.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the resolution approving the Parks and Water Bond Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) Per Capita Grant funds.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends approval of the Resolution.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager