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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DATE: JANUARY 10, 2023
FROM: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION TO RATIFY AND APPROVE A GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
FOR THE LA PALMA PARK SOCCER FIELDS PROJECT
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 17
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Resolution, ratify and approve the submittal of a grant application, in an amount of $2,000,000, to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the La Palma Park Soccer Fields Project; authorize the Community Services Director or designee to act as the Agent of the City on all matters concerning the funding program; accept such funding on behalf of the City; determine these actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15306 of Title 14 of California Code of Regulations, and by Motion, amend the Community Services Department’s FY 22/23 budget.
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 amenities including a dog park and baseball/football stadium, the west side provides limited recreational opportunities for community members; the existing play area is comprised of only swings, dated picnic shelters, restrooms, open turf space, and a small on-site parking lot.
Over the past few years, city staff have 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 (Attachment 2) with new recreational facilities and amenities, including three soccer fields, exercise equipment, a new playground, a basketball court, an open air arena, and a new restroom building. City staff have been actively seeking opportunities to fund these community desired improvements.
As part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, grant funding was made available by Congress. In early 2022, city staff worked with local representatives to identify priority park projects that are in need of funding. As a result, Congressman Lou Correa secured $2,000,000 in funding for the La Palma Park Soccer Fields Project. This grant will provide health, social, economic, and equity benefits by allowing the City to activate the park with three new lighted, natural-turf soccer fields. The improvements will benefit both the surrounding community and the entire city by addressing significant Resolution to Ratify and Approve a Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the La Palma Park Soccer Fields Project
January 10, 2023
deficiencies in soccer facilities. Staff recommends the approval of a resolution ratifying and approving the HUD funding.
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:
The action will increase the Community Services Department’s FY 22/23 Capital Improvement Program revenue and expenditure budget by $2,000,000.
Respectfully submitted,
Sjany Larson-Cash
Director of Community Services
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Master Plan