Fremont City Council Meeting: 02/20/24 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Public Works
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Grants
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5080) DOC ID: 5080
Updated: 2/16/2024 11:17 AM by Susan Gauthier Page 1
STATE GRANT FOR CENTRAL PARK COMMUNITY CENTER - Accept $1 Million Funding Grant from the State of California for the Central Park Community Center Project (PWC9087); Adopt Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Grant Funding Agreement; and Find Actions are Exempt from CEQA.
Contact Persons:
Name: Khandan Bahmani Hans Larsen
Title: City Engineer Public Works Director
Div/Dept: Public Works Public Works
Phone: 510-494-4768 510-494-4722
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to facilitate receiving a $1 million State grant to support construction of a new community center located at Central Park.
BACKGROUND: The State of California adopted legislation establishing its budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 under Assembly Bill No. 102 (AB 102) on July 10, 2023. The State Budget included “earmark” allocations to specific projects and programs identified by State legislators. With support from State Assemblymember Alex Lee, a $1 million budget allocation was provided for the Central Park Community Center project. This is the second State grant received for the project. In 2022, the City received an $8 million State grant, also sponsored by Assemblymember Lee.
In order to fully secure the new $1 million State grant, the City must execute a grant funding agreement with the California Natural Resources Agency. It is recommended that the City Manager or designee be authorized to execute the grant agreement.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: The Central Park Community Center project proposes to develop a new Multi Service Community Center in Central Park, replacing the current Teen Center and Fremont Community Center, and providing expanded space for indoor recreation and community programs. Having a modern multi service center was identified as a top priority in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan approved in 2022.
The estimated cost to implement the Central Park Community Center project is $58 million.
In June 2023, the City Council approved a General Fund allocation for the project in the amount of $21 million. Together with the two State grants ($9 million), City Park Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funding ($5 million), and a previous City allocation ($1 million), total funding available for the project is $36 million.
Additional funding for the project will continue to be pursued from grants and private donations. A Federal grant for the Central Park Community Center project in the amount of $0.5 million, sponsored by US Congressmember Eric Swalwell, is currently under consideration. If full funding is not achieved in the near-term, the project could be constructed in phases.
Council Staff Report (ID # 5080) Meeting of February 20, 2024 Updated: 2/16/2024 11:17 AM by Susan Gauthier Page 2
On July 18, 2023, the City Council approved a professional services agreement with Group 4 Architecture, Research + Planning, Inc. for consultant services related to planning, community outreach, environmental clearance, and final design for the Central Park Community Center. Planning work is currently underway in support of the following schedule goals:
• February thru May 2024 - Community Outreach and Recreation Commission Coordination
• June/July 2024 – City Council Approval of Community Center Design Concept • Spring 2025 – Complete Project Design and Construction Bid Documents • Summer/Fall 2025 – City Council Award of Construction Contract and Start of Construction
FISCAL IMPACT: The recommended actions will increase the available funding for the Central Park Community Center project by $1 million, from $35 million to $36 million.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The recommended actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because they are an administrative fiscal activity and not projects pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378. Subsequent planning for the Central Park Community Center project will include preparation of an environmental clearance in accordance with CEQA guidelines.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Draft Resolution - State Grant Agreement- Central Park
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the following actions related to receiving State grant funds for the Central Park Community Center project:
1. Find the actions are exempt from environmental review as a separate and independent basis for CEQA compliance, under CEQA Guidelines, Section 15378 (administrative and funding activity not a “project” under CEQA) and Section 15061 (no possibility the activity may have significant effect on the environment). Environmental review will be conducted as part of the project environmental clearance process, as appropriate.
2. Accept State grant funds from AB 102 in the amount of $1 million and appropriate the funds to the Central Park Community Center Project – PWC9087-525.
3. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute the grant funding agreement and prepare any other documents required to implement said agreement with the California Natural Resources Agency.