1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: May 23, 2023
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Marisa Garcia, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director VIA: Grace Coronado, Administrative Officer
BY: Megan Wilke, Administrative Analyst II
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Filing of an Application for Grant Funds from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District for Measure A Funding for the Santa Anita Playlot Playground Project, and Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Administer Grant Funds for the Santa Anita Playlot Playground Project
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK APPROVING THE
FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY
REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR MEASURE A FUNDING FOR THE
SANTA ANITA PLAYLOT PLAYGROUND PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO ACCEPT AND ADMINISTER GRANT FUNDS FOR THE SANTA ANITA PLAYLOT PLAYGROUND PROJECT (Attachment 1).
BACKGROUND
The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (District) for Measure A Funding is a program that provides funding for the acquisition, development, and maintenance of parks, open space, and trails in Los Angeles County. Measure A is a voter- approved parcel tax that provides a dedicated source of funding for par ks and open space in the County. The District was established to oversee the implementation of Measure A and ensure that the funds are used for their intended purposes. The District works in partnership with local cities, community groups, and other organizations to identify and prioritize park and open space projects that will provide the most benefit to the residents of Los Angeles County.
Like many grant programs, this opportunity requires that the applicant receive authorization from their governing body (City Council) via a resolution to authorize participation in the
2 grant program and designate an authorized representative to negotiate and execute all necessary documents, including submittal of necessary application materials.
DISCUSSION
The Parks and Recreation Department (Department) prides itself on creating unique play areas and experiences for all park users. It is the Department’s goal that park amenities and playgrounds throughout Burbank each have a different element, look, and feel. The playground equipment selected provide children with innovative play areas to exercise and develop other critical social skills.
Understanding the value and benefits of park playgrounds, t he Department has a replacement schedule for play ground equipment citywide , which reflects the age and condition of the equipment, as well as industry standards and compliance regulations.
Pursuant to this schedule, the Department is replacing the Santa Anita Playlot playground equipment (Project). Santa Anita Playlot is a pocket park serving the area located in the former Verdugo-Lake Focus Neighborhood, in Census Tract 3118, where 72.89% of the population meet Housing and Urban Development ( HUD) low-moderate income levels. As with the existing play equipment, the new equipment will be for age groups 2 -5 and 5 -12 years. The scope of work will include removal of existing and installation of new playground equipment and shade structures . The new playground equipment will include various features such as swings, slides, climbing and spinning components, and/or outdoor musical instruments to enhance children’s play experience.
The existing playground equipment at Santa Anita Playlot playground (Attachment 2) was installed in 2011. The playground, while safe, has exceeded its useful life. Consequently, it is necessary to replace the playground equipment to ensure compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines and current Americans with Disabilit ies Act requirements.
Grant Funding Application
As part of the Los Angeles County Measure A grant funding application, the Department is required to complete community engagement. Consequently, the Department coordinated community outreach meetings for the replacement of the Santa Anita Playlot playground.
The first community outreach event was conducted on January 28, 2023, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Santa Anita Playlot playground. The purpose of the event was to seek community input on the renovation of the playground. At the event, approximately 30 community members attended and provided feedback on the conceptual renderings (Attachment 3). Preliminary feedback received included the following:
• Maintain the existing playground color and toddler swings; • Add features including: benches, picnic tables, a climbing element to an existing tree, restrooms, receptacle bags for dogs, ADA accessible swing, multi -level water fountain for adults, children and pets, art elements, a slide attache d to the climbing structure illustrated on the conceptual rendering;
• Remove sand;
• Install rubberized floor material throughout the playground; • Do not downgrade the playground structure;
• Do not remove all the sand.
3 At the February 9, 2023, Park and Recreation Board (Board) meeting, staff presented a report on the solicitation for feedback and input on the replacement of the Santa Anita Playlot Playground for additional input. The Board discussed various aspects such as the sand in the playground, which causes mobility issues and emphasized the need to avoid downgrading the park playground. The Board also inquired about the Project completion timeline, and it was confirmed that groundbreaking would take place in Fall 2023.
Additionally, the Board requested that the playground be replaced with "like for like" features or with the addition of upgraded playground features.
As part of the Project’s marketing plan, the Department adv ertised the January 28 , 2023 community event and the February 9, 2023 Parks and Recreation Board meeting through various marketing outlets; distributed marketing material and surveys that were translated in Armenian and Spanish; advertised in the Departmen t’s monthly e-newsletter; delivered flyers to residents who live within a 1,000 square foot radius of the playground; posted social media advertisements; and coordinated a City Council meeting announcement.
Because this Project will assist low to moderate income residents, the Department successfully secured $282,328 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funding. The Department intends to submit a Los Angeles County Measure A grant application to offset the anticipated balance needed to complete the Project. Based on general conceptual renderings, the estimated cost for the project is approximately $639,983.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This Project has been determined to be Categorically Exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15301, 15302, 15303 and 15304 of the State CEQA Guidelines. The Project pertains to minor alteration of existing public equipment and involves negligible or no expansion of existing or former use; the Project consists of replacement or reconstruction of existing structures located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced; the Project contains conversion or construction of small structures only; and the Project consists of minor public alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Department was awarded $282,328 in CDBG funds for this Project. To supplement the Project budget and at the direction of Council, the Department will apply for funding through Los Angeles County Measure A in the approximate amount of $357,655 to fully fund the project. Therefore, there will be no fiscal impact to the General Fund.
CONCLUSION
The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District’s grant program represents an opportunity for the City to leverage local funds to renovate the Santa Anita Playlot Playground. The Project will not only serve one of the City’s low -moderate income level neighborhoods, but will continue to attract residents, of all ages, to come and enjoy the wonderful amenities in the City’s park system.
4 ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - Resolution
Attachment 2 - Existing Santa Anita Playlot Playground Attachment 3 - Santa Anita Playlot Playground Concept Renderings Attachment 4 - Grant Application and Instructions