ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVENUE • CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255
TELEPHONE: (408) 777-3220
CUPERTINO.GOV
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Date: April 7, 2026
Subject
Approval of a resolution to authorize application for the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program 2026 Standard Grant operated by t he Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) for the Lawrence Mitty Park and Trail Project.
Recommended Action
Adopt Resolution No. 26-____ of the City Council authorizing the City to apply for funds through the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program 2026 Standard Grant Operated by The Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) for the Lawrence Mitty Park and Trail Project.
Background
The City proposes seeking $500,000 in grant funds to implement critical components of the Lawrence Mitty Park and Trail Project. The funds will be sought through application submission for the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program 2026 Standard Grant operated by Valley Water. Valley Water is a public agency providing water supply, flood risk reduction, and stream stewardship for Santa Clara County (County). The grant opportunity funds shovel- ready capital and implementation projects for creek restoration; water conservation infrastructure; enhanced wetland habitats; and removing non-native, invasive plant species and planting native species. Valley Water requires all applicants to obtain authorization for application from the applicant governing body.
The City has developed a conceptual plan for the Lawrence Mitty Park and Trail project which reflects community input and the goals laid out in the City’s 2020 Parks and Recreation System Master Plan. On June 11, 2024, the Parks and Recreation Commission considered the proposed final conceptual design and made a favorable recommendation to the City Council, as required by CMC section 19.92.040. The Final Conceptual Plan was approved by City Council at the July 2, 2024 meeting and is reflective of the following considerations:
• Represents directives received to date from the community, commissions, and City Council;
• Is consistent with the Goals, Policies, and Strategies of the General Plan and the Parks and Recreation System Master Plan;
• Will not have significant negative impact on the environment; and • Provides the design intent for the future phases of design and construction of the park and trail.
• The Final Conceptual Design includes an extension of the Saratoga Creek/San Tomas Aquino trail, as well as nature play areas, native plant species, and picnic groves among other features.
On May 1, 2025, an update on this project was presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission, and subsequently the Public Works Department presented an informational memo randum update to City Council on July 24, 2025.
The full project budget approved by City Council on June 2, 2015, is $8,270,994, with an additional $910,000 appropriation being approved on March 8, 2022, for a total project budget of $9,180,994.
City staff anticipate applying for $500,000 in grant funding that , if awarded, will be available to expend within a 5-year timeframe from contract execution with Valley Water. The grant requires a 15% match that will be accounted for via the existing appropriation approved in June 2015.
Reasons for Recommendation and Available Options
Valley Water requires all grant applicants to provide written evidence o f authorization to apply for the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program 2026 Standard Grant and recommends use of standard resolution language. Staff presents this request to Council due to the granting agency requirement. The Lawrence Mitty Park and Trail Project received broad public support, Parks and Recreation Commission support for the design presented in May 2025, and approval from Council. Throughout the development of the design, the City solicited public input via surveys, site pop -ups, community meetings, and presented at numerous commission meetings, and to the City Council, to gather input and ideas on the park's design and amenities. By applying for grant funds to offset the project budget, the City pursues external funding to advance priority project elements, while remaining responsive to public enthusiasm for this project. The recommendation to authorize application for grant funds through the Valley Water Standard Grants Program will allow staff to implement project elements with existing CEQA approval. Should Council not authorize application for grant funds, the City declines an opportunity to pursue a valuable funding opportunity to offset costs for a Council approved project. For these reasons, staff recommend authorization of application for grant funds.
Sustainability Impact
Approving a resolution to apply for grant funds will help the Project advance the Climate Action Plan 2.0 goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by improving walkability and expanding green spaces.
Fiscal Impact
Approving this resolution to apply for grant funds positions the City to enter a competitive proposal process and if funded, accepting the grant reduces the City’s cost for the Lawrence Mitty Park and Trail Project by $500,000.
City Work Program (CWP) Item/Description
FY22-23 Lawrence Mitty Park Implementation Plan : Development project for Lawrence Mitty will be included in the CIP.
Council Goal:
Fiscal Strategy, Quality of Life
California Environmental Quality Act
The CEQA Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Lawrence-Mitty Park and Trail project is completed and filed with the County.
The Mitigation, Monitoring, and Reporting Program was prepared and approved per state guidelines. Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15064(f)(3) and 15070(b), a Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared for consideration as the appropriate CEQA document for the project. A mitigated negative declaration was adopted, and there is no substantial evidence that the project may have a significant effect on the environment.
Grant application itself is exempt from CEQA.
_____________________________________
Prepared by: Veena Raghavan, Grants Analyst
Reviewed by: Jonathan Orozco, Acting Director of Administrative Services Chad Mosley, Director of Public Works
Approved for Submission by: Tina Kapoor, City Manager
Attachments:
A – Draft Resolution
B – Sample FY26 Standard Grant Agreement Template