Business Item 5c
STAFF REPORT
City Council Business Item
DATE: March 3, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Amy Nilsen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Professional Services Agreement with LACO Associates for Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grants for the Newburg Park, Vancil Forest Parcel, and Riverwalk Park
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with LACO Associates to complete three Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grants for Newburg Park, Vancil Forest Parcel, and Riverwalk Park in an amount not to exceed $27,500.
BACKGROUND:
The City’s General Plan identified a series of Parks goals, policies, and programs to: develop and promote a balanced park system with a balance of passive and active recreation opportunities; acquire adjacent parkland; identify and adequately fund the development of new and existing parks; multi-agency coordination in planning, developing, protecting, and managing park resources; support community pool efforts; and identify and acquire lands with significant natural resources. The recent activities below support the General Plan’s goals, policies, and programs. • Acquisition of 2.66 acres of land to expand Newburg Park. • The City has received $171,000 from the California State Parks Habitat Conservation Fund grant for the proposed acquisition of approximately 6.25 acres of redwood forestland that is adjacent to a 13-acre redwood forest parcel (Vancil parcel) already owned by the City of Fortuna and the 55-acre City owned Rohner Park and Rohner Community Forest. The parcel proposed for acquisition would connect existing City owned forested properties to create a 74.25 acre contiguous publically owned forest. The City recently submitted a grant proposal to the USDA Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program in the amount of $126,000 to complete the land acquisition. • The City received notification that the State Coastal Conservancy will award $1,000,000 to acquire 237 acres along the Lower Eel River, of which 7.2 acres, near the River Lodge, will remain with the City, while 229.6 acres will be returned to Wiyot Tribe for ceremonial purposes, restoration, and public access. This grant funding is in addition to $620,194 in grant dollars from the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) River Parkways grant. There is still an administrative process the City needs to pursue with the SCC to make the final acquisition
Business Item 5c
The future development of these park parcels within the City is dependent on grant funding, as the City does not currently have the financial resources to do so. Therefore, the City has been steadily working to identify development funding for Newburg Park, Vancil Forest Parcel, and Riverwalk Park.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has been identified as a funding source for park’s development. The LWCF grants provide funding for the acquisition or development of land to create new outdoor recreation opportunities for the health and wellness of Californians.
There is $35 million available statewide with a maximum request of $6 million. There is a 50% match requirement. In addition, staff have worked to identify a resource to assist with grant development as is consistent in the past. LACO and Associates have previously provided technical assistance with the Riverwalk Park and therefore are in a unique position to assist the City. The grants would be developed to provide the following:
1. Newburg Park: Expand park footprint to incorporate a recently acquired adjacent parcel.
The City has prepared a concept site plan for this expansion to include soccer fields, restrooms, and a “snack shack” to support future organized outdoor recreation at the site.
2. Vancil Forest Parcel: Pursue funding for either the acquisition of the Vancil Forest parcel or for recreational development on the property, pending acquisition status prior to the LWCF deadline. The City is awaiting an award decision on a prior funding application for acquisition funds for the parcel. Should that grant be awarded, LWCF funds would be requested to develop the site. Should the previously-submitted acquisition funding application be unsuccessful, the City would like to apply for acquisition funding under LWCF.
3. Riverwalk Park: Enhance park with new recreational features based on the City’s conceptual plan. LACO supported the City in preparing an application to develop this site as a park in 2022 and will leverage materials generated during that process in developing this application.
Staff is requesting that the council authorize the City manager to execute a contract for up to $27,500 with LACO Associates for their assistance.
Business Item 5c
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The proposed cost for the services from LACO Associates is expected to be up to $27,500. This work is budgeted in Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget under Measure E, General Park Acquisition and Improvements.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION
1. Receive staff report and review questions with staff
2. Open Public Comment
3. Close Public Comment
4. Motion to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with LACO Associates to assist the city with three LWCF grant applications in an amount not to exceed $27,500.
Voice vote.
ATTACHMENT:
• Agreement with LACO Associates