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January 9, 2024
ITEM TITLE
Harborside Park: Amend the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Capital Improvement Program Budget, Allocate Measure P Funds, and Waive Fees
Report Number: 24-0030
Location: Harborside Park – 670 Oxford Street
Department: City Manager
G.C. § 84308: No
Environmental Notice : The Project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines Section 15301 Class 1 (Existing Facilities), Section 15303 Class 3 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), and Section 153 04 Class 4 (Minor Alterations to Land).
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution 1) amending the fiscal year 2023-24 capital improvement program budget by establishing new CIP Project, PRK0344 “Harborside Park Renovations” and appropriating funds therefor; and (2) amending the Measure P Infrastructure, Facilities, and Equipment Expenditure Plan to allocate approximately $1,250,000 in unallocated revenue; (4/5 Vote Required).
SUMMARY
On August 23, 2022, City Council Resolution No. 2022 -203 authorized the temporary closure of Harborside Park in order to allow staff time to address health and safety concerns due to illegal activities being conducted at the park. On December 12, 2023, Council directed staff to return on January 9, 2023, with a plan to reopen Harborside Park. City staff is requesting funding to proceed with initial improvements (“Phase 1”) in order to provide a secure reopening of Harborside Park , waiving of the competitive bid requirements to minimize delays, and directing the City Manager to waive facility rental fees to incentivize activation of the park.
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 Class 1 (Existing Facilities), Section 15303 Class 3 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), and Section 15304 Class 4 (Minor Alterations to Land) because the proposed actions would not result in a significant effect on the environment, create a cumulative impact, damage a scenic highway, or cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. Thus, no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
This action will be included in an updated Infrastructure, Facilities, and Equipment Expenditure Plan being presented to the Measure P Citizens Oversite Committee at their regularly scheduled January 25, 2024, meeting.
DISCUSSION
Background
On August 23, 2022, City Council Resolution No. 2022 -203 authorized the temporary closure of Harborside Park in order to allow staff time to address health and safety concerns due to illegal activities being conducted at the park. During the closure, staff worked with the community to consider long -term options for the park site and staff provided the results of such efforts and opportunities identified by the community to City Council on May 16, 2023, and December 12, 2023, including an initial improvement plan (“Phase 1”).
On December 12, 2023, Council directed staff to return on January 9, 2023, with an implementation plan for the Phase 1 reopening Harborside Park. It is anticipated Phase 1 improvements will be completed and the park will reopen in approximately eight months.
Phase 1
Phase 1 of reopening Harborside Park will consist of the following improvements: (1) permanent fencing; (2) turf replacement and repair to the irrigation system; (3) basketball court resurfacing; (4) lighting and security camera repairs; (5) restroom facility repairs; (6) general clean-up; (7) removal of the amphitheater and landscape at the southern portion of the site; and (8) purchase and installation of a ranger station that would be staffed during future park opening hours, as illustrated in the following image.
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Additionally, City Council directed staff to waive associated facility rental fees for the use of sports fields and any other amenities to incentivize activation of the park upon reopening. The City’s Master Fee Schedule allows any person to request a fee waiver. Any such request is to be considered by the Waiving Authority, which is he City Managerfor waiver requests for amounts up to the greater of $7,500 or 25% of the fee imposed, per year, and the City Council for requests in excess of tha t amount . The Master Fee Schedule further provides that, in order to grant a waiver request, the Waiving Authority must make certain findings and issue a notice of decision. In response to the City Council’s direction to waive facility rental fees, City staff is reviewing these waiver requirements and will be bringing a proposed amendment to the Master Fee Schedule forward prior to the park reopening for City Council consideration.
The proposed resolution establishes CIP PRK0344 Harborside Park Renovation and appropriates Measure P funds in the amount of $1,250,000 to the new project, .
Hours of Operation
A community survey completed by the City found that with Phase 1 improvements, people are most likely to use the park after school and on weekend s. Upon opening it is anticipated that the park will be open on weekdays from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm and on weekends from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. After opening staff may modify hours of the park based on the utilization and desired access by the community.
Staffing
The staffing plan for Harborside Park is designed to provide hourly Park Ranger coverage for all hours of operation.
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Future Phases
Phases 2 will focus on outdoor amenities . Survey results showed the highest -sought amenities included an outdoor gym similar to the Norman Park Senior Center, additional sports field areas, tot lot, enhancements to the walking trail, and fruit and shade trees.
Phase 3 would include the community’s ultimate goal of incorporating a community center on the site. Such a facility will require a master-planning effort and future City Council actions.
Staff continues to pursue grant funding for Phases 2 and 3.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Co uncil members and has found no property holdings within 1,000 feet of the boundaries of the property which is the subject of this action. Consequently, this item does not present a disqualifying real property -related financial conflict of interest under Ca lifornia Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(7) or (8), for purposes of the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the resolution amends the Measure P Infrastructure, Facilities, and Equipment Expenditure Plan and amends the fiscal year 2023 -24 Capital Improvement Projects Program budget by appropriating $1,250,000 from the Measure P Sales Tax Fund to cover the additional project and staff costs associated with Project # PRK0344 (Harborside Park Renovation).
As an existing park, the operation an d maintenance of the existing amenities are included in the current Public Works Department General Fund budget.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Staffing costs for Park Rangers of approximately $66,000 will be incorporated into the Public Works fiscal year 2024-25 budget for staffing at Harborside Park.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
Staff Contact: Courtney Chase, Deputy City Manager