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8 DATE: May 6, 2024
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Stefan Chatwin, City Manager
Marlene Subhashini, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Derek Schweigart, Parks and Recreation Director
Frank Fanara, Parks Maintenance Manager
DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: APPROVE A LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH THE ISLAND UNITED CHURCH (IUC) FOR USE OF SPECIFIC PROPERTY AT 1130
BALCLUTHA DRIVE FOR A COMMUNITY GARDEN PILOT
PROGRAM, APPROVE AN APPROPRIATION FROM THE
COMMUNITY BENEFITS FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $22,900 TO
DEVELOP THE COMMUNITY GARDEN, AND APPROVE A
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH THE FOSTER
CITY COMMUNITY GARDEN ASSOCIATION (FCCGA), IUC AND
THE CITY OF FOSTER CITY RELATING TO THE CREATION
AND OPERATION OF THE COMMUNITY GARDEN
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution:
1) Approving a License Agreement with the Island United Church (IUC) for use of specific property at 1130 Balclutha Drive for a community garden pilot program; 2) Approving an appropriation in the amount of $22,900 from the Community Benefits Fund (005-0110-413-4251) to support development of the Community Garden; and
3) Approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Foster City Community Garden Association (FCCGA), IUC and the City of Foster City relating to the creation and operation of the Community Garden; and finding the actions
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8 exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15304 (Class 4-Minor Alterations to Land).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City staff have been working with members of the public over the past couple of years with the goal of establishing a community garden in Foster City. The Parks and Recreation Committee included the exploration of a community garden into their 2023 annual work plan after being briefed on this initiative. The work plan was presented to the City Council on February 6, 2023. Following this, in December 2023, staff conducted a survey to gauge community interest in establishing a community garden within city limits. The survey, which was open to the public from 12/6/23-12/29/23, garnered 289 responses, indicating strong community support for the idea (Attachment 1).
Among the respondents, 218 expressed interest in participating as gardeners, underscoring the community's desire for accessible green spaces and communal gardening activities. These findings were shared with the Parks and Recreation Committee, who expressed their support for the project.
Subsequently, City staff undertook an examination of potential locations for the community garden on existing public park land. Three possible park sites—Edgewater, Boothbay, and Pompano—were identified, along with the necessary modifications required at each location. However, the assessment revealed significant challenges, including the need for major site modifications such as irrigation installation, turf, and tree removal, and ensuring accessibility.
Last year, the Foster City Rotary Club and the FCCGA approached City staff with a proposal to collaborate on the development of a community garden on the vacant land owned by the Island United Church (IUC) at 1130 Balclutha Drive. Under the proposed terms, the City would contract with IUC for the use of the land for a defined term, with optional extensions for renewal. Concurrently, the FCCGA would collaborate with the City to oversee the garden's daily operations.
The staff identified the vacant land owned by IUC as an ideal location for the Community Garden for several reasons:
•Accessibility: Situated close to the street, the site offers convenient access for residents living in multi-family housing units.
•Minimal modifications required: The lot is vacant, requiring no major alterations for garden development.
•Mutual partnership: Both the church and the FCCGA expressed willingness to partner on the project, offering the use of otherwise underutilized land. 5 5
8 BACKGROUND
During the regular City Council meeting on February 6, 2023, the Parks and Recreation Committee presented their 2022 annual report, outlining their accomplishments and proposed goals for 2023. Included in their work plan was exploring the possibility of establishing a community garden in Foster City. Following this presentation, current Mayor Patrick Sullivan requested a future agenda item to discuss the development of a community garden, with a majority of the City Council supporting the request.
Subsequently, the Parks and Recreation Department embarked on a comprehensive study to assess the feasibility of establishing a community garden. This involved identifying potential locations, evaluating the suitability of existing park land, and estimating the associated costs for necessary modifications. City staff conducted thorough research, including visits to neighboring agency community gardens, to gather insights into best practices. Throughout this process, the Parks and Recreation Committee received regular updates from staff during their meetings and actively participated in discussions regarding the establishment of a community garden.
Foster City Rotary Club and the FCCGA approached staff last year and suggested partnering to develop a community garden in Foster City. They proposed a site at 1130 Balclutha Drive, within a space that was given to the IUC in the 1970s and has since remained undeveloped. The project site consists of around 2,026 sf within an available 13,900 sf area and offers an ideal space for the community garden. The location is conveniently surrounded by multifamily residences, with accessible entry points from Balclutha and the IUC parking lot on Comet Drive. In recognition of the site potential, the Rotary Club of Foster City applied for and received a $9,000 contribution from Rotary International specifically for the development of a community garden.
The church council agreed to the installation of 15 planter boxes on their property. The Boy Scout Troops and Rotarians worked together to prepare the grounds and construct the boxes. In the absence of an organization to administer the garden, the planter boxes were officially "gifted" to the church. Subsequently, Rotarians installed hose bibs to ensure a water supply for the garden. This is the current condition and status of the proposed community garden.
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8 ANALYSIS
Staff conducted extensive research into community garden best practices, including visiting and meeting with representatives that oversee the operations of community gardens. Additionally, staff reached out to several neighboring city parks and recreation departments to request information on various aspects including costs to develop, sponsorships, garden size, rental costs, and the level of involvement and support provided by each agency. This research revealed many common management practices
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8 for community gardens, with the majority of those surveyed overseen by volunteers with various levels of support by the city.
Many community gardens can be successfully self-managed with minimal oversight.
Typically, community gardens exist as secure locations accessible only to members, who are required to pay an annual fee along with a deposit for a garden plot. The fees help to offset the costs of utilities and supplies. Additionally, members are obligated to adhere to strict bylaws, sign agreements, and maintain their respective garden plots.
Based on findings from research into neighboring agencies, staff recommend partnering with IUC and FCGGA to implement a Community Garden Pilot Program in Foster City.
License Agreement
The License Agreement allows the City exclusive use of a specific portion of the IUC property for community garden-related uses, including educational events and workshops related to sustainable gardening practices (Attachment 3). The City would be required to pay a fee of one dollar per year for three (3) years with an option to add two (2) additional years. The License Agreement would also allow the City to install and maintain certain improvements including installation and maintenance of water lines and a water meter, construction and installation of a tool shed and installation of a cyclone fence and gate around the garden. The License Agreement also includes other terms and requirements relating to the grant of the license, including insurance and indemnity requirements in addition to other standard terms.
MOU
The MOU between the FCCGA, IUC, and City would specify the obligations for each party for the development and operation of the Community Garden Pilot Program (Attachment 4). Those obligations are summarized below:
City of Foster City:
•Pay for the water connection and install a dedicated water service line that will service the garden. The associated costs of installing the dedicated service line meter and backflow and all components will be furnished and performed by City staff;
•Pay for monthly water bills;
•Fund a portion of new fencing to surround the existing garden beds; •Collect fees and deposits and provide refunds on deposits and fees, if necessary; •Provide various gardening tools; and
•Provide a small storage shed for hand tools and other gardening supplies.
IUC:
•Donate funding to pay for a portion of new fencing to surround the garden site; •Provide liability insurance for areas outside of the fence known as the garden per the license agreement;
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8 •Allow visitors to access the Community Garden through their property.
FCCGA:
•Creating an application process for people who desire a garden plot; •Manage and maintain oversight of the daily operations of the garden; •Establishing the rules and regulations for the use of the Community Garden, including the hours of operation, the requirements relating to use of tools, water usage, payment of fees for use of Garden, unauthorized plantings, etc. (Attachment 5);
•Establish a Board of Directors consisting of members of FCCGA, IUC and Foster City Rotary Club which will create and enforce the polices and guidelines for the community garden;
•Perform regular inspections of garden plots;
•Hold quarterly meetings and prepare reports for the City and IUC highlighting any concerns or issues;
•To the maximum extent possible, ensure organic gardening practices; •Prepare and participate in various community-building initiatives, including workshops, volunteer opportunities and educational programs.
The term of the MOU is for three (3) years with an option to extend on a year-to-year basis if the pilot program is successful. Each party can terminate the MOU upon 60 days’ written notice.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact is expected to be minimal outside of the initial investment, as community gardens typically operate with limited assistance from City staff, underscoring the sustainable and self-managed nature of such initiatives.
Per the License Agreement and MOU, the City is responsible for the installation of a dedicated water service line and meter for the garden, and payment of monthly water bills. The City will pay the monthly water costs through the deposits and fees collected from the gardeners using the Community Garden (staff will present the fees as a separate item as part of the Master Fee Schedule update pending City Council approval of the pilot program). The City will partially fund a new fence, a small storage shed, and provide gardening hand tools and supplies. Additionally, the City would undertake essential repairs to water supply lines and offer minor assistance for box repairs as required.
City of Foster City Agreement
Estimated
Costs
Water service line/meter installation $5,000
Yearly water for site $2,000
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8 New fencing (City portion) $14,000
Gardening hand tools $1,000
Small storage shed $900
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST $22,900
CEQA
This action is not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 15304 (Class 4- Minor Alterations to Land) as this action consists of minor alterations to the condition of private land to create new gardening or landscaping, which does not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees.
CITY COUNCIL VISION, MISSION AND VALUES/PRIORITY AREA
Sustainability
Facilities and Infrastructure
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – Community Garden Survey Results
Attachment 3 – Community Garden License Agreement
Attachment 4 – Memorandum of Understanding
Attachment 5 – Community Garden Policies