200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #433
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5160
Fax: (714) 765-4454
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DATE: MAY 17, 2022
FROM: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION TO RATIFY AND APPROVE THE SUBMITTAL OF
A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE CLEAN CALIFORNIA LOCAL
GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE NORTH LA PALMA GREEN
PROMENADE, PASEO AND PARKING LOT PROJECT
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 10
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Resolution, ratify and approve the submittal of an application for grant funds, in an amount of $2,639,009, to the California Department of Transportation for the Clean California Local Grant Program for the North La Palma Green Promenade, Paseo and Parking Lot Project; authorize the Community Services Director, or designee, to act as the Agent of the City on all matters concerning the grant program; accept such funding on behalf of the City; and determine these actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15306 of Title 14 of California Code of Regulations.
DISCUSSION:
La Palma Park (park) is one of Anaheim’s oldest, largest, and well used parks that hosts popular festivals as well as many sporting events and celebrations. While the east side of the park contains popular elements including a dog park and baseball/football stadium, the west side has limited and outdated amenities that include a play area, picnic shelters, restrooms, open turf space, and an on-site parking lot which is accessed from North La Palma Parkway. An additional City-owned parking lot is located across the street to the north on Swan Street; however, it currently lacks visual connection to the park and does not provide a comfortable or safe street crossing experience for visitors.
Over the past few years, city staff has worked with surrounding community members and stakeholders to learn what would make the park a more fun, beautiful, and safe place to visit. These outreach efforts have resulted in a community envisioned Master Plan with new recreational facilities and amenities. The proposed features include soccer fields, exercise equipment, a new playground, a basketball court, an open air arena, a restroom building, and the conversion of North La Palma Parkway into a green promenade and paseo that will act as an extension of the park. City staff has been actively seeking grant opportunities to fund these community desired improvements.
In early 2022, a grant application was submitted to the California Department of Transportation for the Clean California Local Grant Program in the amount of $2,639,009 Resolution to Ratify and Approve the Submittal of a Grant Application to the California Department of Transportation for the Clean California Local Grant Program for the North La Palma Green Promenade, Paseo and Parking Lot Project May 17, 2022
for the North La Palma Green Promenade, Paseo and Parking Lot (La Palma Promenade) Project. The grant has been awarded and will allow the La Palma Promenade to be the first phase of implementation of the overall La Palma Master Plan (Attachment 2).
The La Palma Promenade will convert North La Palma Parkway, a two-way, entirely asphalt street into a beautiful tree-lined, pedestrian and bicycle friendly, one-way green corridor. It will safely connect the surrounding dense communities to the park and will extend the park’s reach north on Swan Street by installing additional greening elements and converting the lot across the street into an appealing and environmentally-friendly “green parking lot.” The La Palma Promenade will not only enhance the pedestrian and vehicular experience in and around the park, but also improve access to recreation, promote environmental stewardship, and improve pedestrian safety and connectivity throughout the area (Attachment 3). As such, staff is requesting the approval of a resolution ratifying the Clean California Local Grant which will allow the La Palma Promenade project to be implemented and opened to the public by summer 2024.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The Department recommends that the City Council determine that these actions are categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15306 (Class 6), which pertains to information gathering purposes leading to an action that a public agency has not yet approved, adopted or funded.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Funding is included in the Community Services department’s proposed FY 22/23 Capital Improvement Program budget, which will be brought forward for Council consideration in June.
Respectfully submitted,
Sjany Larson-Cash
Director of Community Services
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Master Plan
3. Before/After Schematic