TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
ATTENTION: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
FROM: P.J. Mellana, Director of Parks and Recreation Kristen Smith, Recreation Manager
SUBJECT: Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 24-02 – A Resolution approving application(s) for specified grant funds from Budget Act 2022/23, 19.561(b)(34) for $2,700,000 to the City of Bellflower, for the City of Bellflower capital outlay related to The Oak Center.
DATE: January 22, 2024
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In late 2023, Senator Assembly Speaker Emeritus Rendon’s office notified the City that $2,700,000 in grant funds is being awarded to assist with the construction of The Oak Center, a new community center serving youth and senior citizens. The next step in this funding process requires a resolution be adopted by the City Council agreeing to the grant contract terms, approving the submittal of future project applications, and authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to execute and deliver related documents as are reasonably required to obtain grant funding. After the State Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) receives the adopted City Council resolution, the City Manager will be required to enter into the grant contract with the California Department of Parks and Recreation (the “Department”).
Subsequently, the City Manager, or designee, will submit project specific grant applications related to The Oak Center to the Department for issuance of funds.
RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
1) Adopt Resolution No. 24-02; or
2) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City has budgeted $12,369,449 for The Oak Center project in Fiscal Year 2023/2024, in account nos. 010-47604-9000, 030-47604-9000, and 070-47604-9000. If adopted, the resolution will allow the City to obtain additional grant funding in the amount of $2,700,000 from the Department, on a reimbursable basis, which will further reduce the overall financial burden to the City.
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SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL
Staff Report – Resolution No. 24-02, Approving Application(s) for Local Assistance Specified Grants
January 22, 2024
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The City reviewed the environmental impacts of the proposed Ordinance pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq. “CEQA”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder (14 Cal. Code of Regs. §§ 15000, et seq., the “CEQA Guidelines”). CEQA Guidelines §§ 15060(c)(2), 15061(b)(3), and 15378 exempt activities that will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, activities where there is possibility that it may have a significant effect on the environment, and activities that do not constitute a “project” as defined, respectively. This activity is primarily a legislative tool to assess budgetary priorities and does not approve any of any specific projects for construction, and therefore does not have the potential to have a significant effect on the environment. Accordingly, no further review is required.
DISCUSSION
Construction of the Oak Center is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2024. The current cost estimate for the Oak Center project is $10,750,000 million for construction and an additional $350,000 for furnishings at the new facility. The project is fully funded through a combination of sources, including a $2.1 million dollar state grant and General Fund savings related to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”). The new funding source offered by the Department will allow the City to better anticipate inflating construction costs and save on General Fund costs specific to this project.
The application and funding process for this grant has been evolving and seems likely to continue evolving over the coming weeks; staff is scheduled to attend required training sessions and has been in close contact with the State’s Administrative Project Officer to stay up to date with changes. The most up to date Procedural Guide is attached, please note that dates are meant to be a guide only and have changed frequently since staff has been made aware of this funding.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution No. 24-02..……………………………………………..………….…………………...…3 Procedural Guide for Local Assistance Specified Grants……..………….…………………...… 6