Consent Item 3k
STAFF REPORT
City Council Consent Item
DATE: April 21, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Amy Nilsen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Authorize the City Manager to Submit Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants to the California Department of Parks and Recreation for Vancil Community Forest Project Resolution 2025-08, Newburg Park Project Resolution 2025-09, and Riverwalk Park Project Resolution 2025- 10 STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Resolutions 2025-08 Vancil Community Forest Project, 2025-09 Newburg Park Project, and 2025-10 Riverwalk Park Project authorizing the City Manager to submit California Department of Parks and Recreation Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants for the development of these park properties and execute all related documents.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The California Department of Parks and Recreation administers LWCF grant program, and staff have been identified the LWCF as a potential 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.
On March 3, 2025, the City Council approved a professional services agreement with LACO Associates to complete three LWCF grants for Newburg Park, Vancil Forest Parcel, and Riverwalk Park. The grants would be developed to provide the following:
1. Vancil Community Forest Project: 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.
2. Newburg Park Project: 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.
3. Riverwalk Park Project: Enhance the future park with new recreational features based on the City’s conceptual plan. LACO supported the City in preparing an application to Consent Item 3k
develop this site as a park in 2022 and will leverage materials generated during that process in developing this application.
The three resolutions before your City Council are a grant requirement and necessary for each individual grant submittal.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City Council authorized a professional services agreement in the amount of $27,500 with LACO Associates on March 3 to prepare the LWCF grants. The funds for this professional services agreement were budgeted for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 under Measure E, General Park Acquisition and Improvements. If the grant applications are successful, staff will return with a staff report to determine where the matching funds will come from.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
Approve Resolutions 2025-08 Vancil Community Forest Project, 2025-09 Newburg Park Project, and 2025-10 Riverwalk Park Project authorizing the City Manager to submit California Department of Parks and Recreation Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants for the development of these park properties and execute all related documents. Consent Agenda Vote.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Resolution 2025-08, A Resolution of the City Of Fortuna Approving the Application for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Vancil Community Forest Project • Resolution 2025-09, A Resolution of the City Of Fortuna Approving the Application for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Newburg Park Project
• Resolution 2025-10, A Resolution of the City Of Fortuna Approving the Application for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Riverwalk Park Project