200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #433
Anaheim, CA 92805
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Fax: (714) 765-4454
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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DATE: MAY 16, 2023
FROM: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: APPROVE AN APPLICATION TO THE CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION FOR THE LAND
AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND GRANT PROGRAM FOR
LA PALMA PARK
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM #13
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Resolution:
1. Approve the submittal of an application for up to $6,000,000 in grant funds from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant program, for the renovation of La Palma Park; Authorize the Community Services Director, or their designee, to act as the Agent of the City on all matters concerning this grant program; and if the grant application is successful and funds are approved, amend the Community Services Department budget accordingly for the fiscal year in which grant funds are awarded; and
2. Determine these actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15306 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations.
DISCUSSION:
La Palma Park (Park) is one of Anaheim’s oldest, largest, and well used parks. While the east portion of the park contains popular elements including a dog park and a baseball / football stadium, the west portion is mostly passive with aged amenities that include picnic shelters, restrooms, open turf space, a play area, and a parking lot. The west portion of the park is used primarily for organized soccer and also hosts popular festivals and special events such as the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta and Carnival.
Local residents and user groups have advocated for the revitalization and activation of the west portion of the park. Community Services staff held multiple community meetings to learn what would make the park a more fun, beautiful, and safe place to visit. These outreach efforts resulted in a community envisioned Master Plan with new recreational facilities and amenities (Attachment 2). The community-requested features include soccer Approve the submittal of an application to the California Department of Parks and Recreation for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant program for the Development of La Palma Park May 16, 2023
fields, lighting, exercise equipment, walking paths, a new playground, a covered picnic area, an open-air arena, a restroom building, and more. The estimated total project cost for these improvements is $20 million.
City staff has been actively seeking grant opportunities to fund these desired improvements. To date, the City has received a grant in the amount of $2,639,009 from the Clean California Local Grant Program to transform La Palma Parkway into a Green Promenade/Paseo and improve the parking lot on Swan Street into a “green parking lot” (Phase I). Public Utilities has begun water mainline and streetlight upgrades as part of Phase I and the Promenade/Parking Lot improvements will follow later this summer.
Additionally, staff successfully secured a $2 million earmark from Congressmember Lou Correa’s office to develop soccer fields and support amenities (Phase II). Additional funding is needed to complete the remaining community desired amenities.
Community Services staff has recently identified this project as a competitive candidate for the LWCF grant program. LWCF is a reimbursement program that requires a 50% match and allows for a maximum grant request of $6 million; matching funds will be provided by Park Development Fees. Staff is currently evaluating all grant requirements as well as prior awards to determine the most competitive request. The grant application is due on June 1st and award announcements are expected in late 2023. Staff recommends approval to submit a grant application for this funding opportunity.
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:
If the grant application is successful, the Community Services Department’s Capital Improvement Program budget will be amended in the year in which the grant is awarded.
Respectfully submitted,
Sjany Larson-Cash
Director of Community Services
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Master Plan