Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2026
TO: CITY COUNCIL
SUBMITTED BY: DAISY PEREZ, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
PREPARED BY: RACHEL CASTANON, ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST
SUBJECT: $175,000 COUNTY OF ORANGE DISCRETIONARY DISTRICT GRANT FUNDING
SUMMARY
Request City Council authorization to accept $175,000 in District Discretionary Grant Funding awarded by Orange County Fourth District Supervisor Doug Chaffee to support continued revitalization improvements at Independence Park and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute and administer the associated grant agreement.
PROPOSED MOTION
Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute and administer Agreement No. MA-017-26011601 and documents necessary to accept $175,000 District Discretionary Grant Funding from the County of Orange.
Accept and appropriate receipt and use of $175,000 grant funds for the Independence Park Revitalization Project 54692 within the Capital Projects Fund (Fund 74).
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Do not approve the Proposed Motion
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
None.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statement:
Fiscal and Organizational Stability.
FISCAL IMPACT
The grant agreement would provide the City $175,000 in new grant revenue from the County for the Independence Park Revitalization Project 54692 within the Capital Projects Fund (Fund 74). The agreement does not require matching funds and grant acceptance would have no additional General Fund impact. The County would provide the discretionary grant funding as a one-time contribution following full execution of the agreement.
DISCUSSION
The City continues implementing planned Independence Park improvements as part of a broader effort to improve park facilities, accessibility, recreational amenities and community site use. Current and planned improvements include an adaptive playground, accessibility and site improvements and gymnasium facility renovations.
Previous district discretionary grant funding provided by Orange County Fourth District Supervisor Doug Chaffee supported the Throne public restroom facility at Independence Park. Installation restored public restroom access at the site and supported expanded park use and programming. The City has since relocated the Certified Farmers Market to Independence Park and utilized the site for community yard sales and other recreational and community programming.
The next phase of park improvements includes the first adaptive playground in Fullerton. The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed conceptual playground alternatives and selected a preferred concept for further development. The proposed playground would provide an inclusive recreational amenity serving children of varying abilities and their families.
The recently completed Union Pacific Trail improved pedestrian connectivity to and through Independence Park. Staff evaluated opportunities to provide supporting amenities within the project area in conjunction with the adaptive playground and identified a large picnic shelter adjacent to the proposed playground as an appropriate project enhancement. The shelter would provide shaded seating and gathering space to support playground use, park programming and other community activities.
The City allocated funding for multiple components of the Independence Park Revitalization Project, including site preparation, accessibility improvements, recreational amenities and planned gymnasium improvements and requested supplemental funding to support the picnic shelter while maintaining available project resources for other planned improvements.
The City requested $175,000 in additional District Discretionary Grant Funding from Supervisor Chaffee to support the Independence Park Revitalization Project. The Orange County Board of Supervisors authorized District Discretionary Grant Funds for the project on June 9, 2026. Agreement No. MA-017-26011601 provides a one-time $175,000 grant contribution for Independence Park Revitalization Project costs.
The grant agreement requires the City to expend funds on eligible project costs and comply with applicable federal, state and local requirements. The agreement also establishes requirements for records retention, County inspection and audit and expenditure reporting. The agreement terminates June 30, 2027 or upon completion of the parties’ obligations, whichever occurs first. The City must return any unused grant funds of June 30, 2027 to the County by July 31, 2027.
The City must submit a final report to the County upon grant fund expenditure grant or by June 30, 2027, whichever occurs first, identifying expenditures paid from the grant award and certify compliance with the permitted uses established by the agreement. City Council approval of the recommended actions would authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute and administer Agreement No. MA-017-26011601 and accept and appropriate $175,000 in District Discretionary Grant Funding for the Independence Park Revitalization Project.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Grant Agreement MA-017-26011601
cc: City Manager Eddie Manfro
Discretionary District Grant Funding
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